Why
is Easter so important?
Many celebrate Easter by coloring eggs, filling baskets with chocolate, hunting for Easter eggs and going to church on Easter Sunday. All of this is enjoyable and fun; however, Easter is important for one main and true event and that is Christ rising from the dead.
Easter is important
for several reasons; mainly that Jesus, the son of God, is who He claimed to
be. Jesus is God in the flesh. And as Rick Warren, famous Christian author,
once stated, “He came to earth to save us.” Jesus saved us from eternal death
and gave our human bodies life, a promise to be with Him in Heaven and to have
His help, protection and guidance while we remain on this earth.
Three huge and important
events occurred with our Lord; the trial of Jesus, the death of Jesus and the
resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was put on the cross because Herod, the governor
of Galilee, Annas Caiphas, the high priest of the Sanhedrin (the religious
Supreme Court) and the local people who brought phony charges against Him—they all
convicted him on one count: claiming to be the Son of God. They just didn’t
like, want or accept that claim.
The death of Jesus is the
second reason for Easter. He was beaten and crucified—with crucifixion the most
brutal and tortuous death ever conceived by men. Jesus died on the cross for
you and me; He didn’t have to die that horrible death but he did it willingly because
He loved you and me. He died that unspeakable death because dying on the cross
was the only way He could pay for our sins. We all deserve punishment for our
sins but Jesus paid that penalty for our sins because of His great love for us.
After Jesus died, they
took his body down and put him in the tomb, and a giant millstone was set in
front of the cave. The religious leaders -- worried that Jesus’ body might be
stolen -- asked for Roman guards to be posted in front of the tomb. They didn’t
want him coming out but of course, he did.
It is important, as a
Christian, to remember that Easter is not just a memorial to a religious leader
who lived thousands of years ago. Easter is a celebration that reminds us that
Jesus is alive and lives as spirit form in those who believe in Him. Keep in
mind, Jesus was, after the resurrection, seen by hundreds of people not just a
handful of people; as some would like you to think. Later, after approximately
40 days after rising from the dead, he went back home and talked with many
people.
Easter is essential to
everyone! Jesus gave the ultimate
sacrifice—His life-- so that you and I might live, be pardoned for our sins and
live with Him forever in Heaven. So, Happy Easter to you and enjoy the promise
of eternal life with Jesus!
Copyright Toni Star 2022
