One of the most interesting days of the year is Easter. It moves from month to month, unlike Christmas or Valentine's day. Easter always, without exception, falls on a Sunday. It's celebrated many ways, although eggs and rabbits and candy are easily the most popular. But what is Easter really all that important for? Oftentimes it seems like just another opportunity for stores to advertise and move merchandise. Wal-Mart is advertising "More Easter for Your Money". Marshmallow Peeps stare at us from behind their plastic packaging. Cadbury is having a field day with their seasonal chocolate eggs. But Easter isn't, and never was, a festival for sugar highs and rabbits that scare little children. So what is Easter?
This may seem off topic, but we have to go back to early history to answer the question. The Bible says that God made earth, and everything else. (Genesis 1:1) When He did, He made mankind as well, starting with two people named Adam and Eve. He only forbade them one thing, and that was to eat a certain fruit from a certain tree. This is simple enough, and everything was going fine until one day Eve was accosted by the devil, who told Eve that the one thing God said not to do was a good idea. She bites, literally. Adam makes it worse by doing the same thing, and blaming her for it. God is perfect, and can't have wrongdoing near Him, so He had to banish them from His presence. Prior to that mistake, man was actually friends with God, but that was shattered with the sin of Adam and Eve. Eventually, Adam and Eve have lots of kids, and it turns out the kids are no better than the parents. They commit new wrongs. God knows mankind is in trouble. The sin that they (and we) commit condemns us to an eternity in hell. If you doubt such a place exists, take a look at 2 Peter 2:4, or Psalm 9:17. But man cannot be in a right relationship with God, because our sin is incompatible with his perfection. However, He won't let the matter rest.
God has a Son. His name is Jesus. God sent Him to take away our sins. He came as a man, while at the same time being God, and healed and taught many people. He knew from the outset what His mission was. But it wasn't easy. He had to die in our place. However, His death wouldn't be a peaceful one. He died by a means known as crucifixion. Here's how crucifixion worked. After the victim was sentenced, the ancient Romans would then force him to carry a large wooden cross to the place of His execution. They would then take railroad spike like nails and, driving them through the victim's hands and feet, literally nail him to his own cross. This was humiliating, excruciatingly painful, and brutal. Upon being nailed, the victim would hang there, in full view of everyone, and bleed freely. Jesus was sentenced to this in Mark 15:1-15 by a Roman government official named Pontius Pilate. It says, "Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud,began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified."
Jesus is God, but He suffered as a man would. He wasn't looking forward to it either. The Bible shows Him asking His Father to make it possible for Him not to have to do it, yet telling Him that He will if that's His Father's will in Mark 14:36. It says "And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus did nothing wrong. Our sin put Him on that cross. Don't be fooled. This was not easy. In fact, it was not just painful for Him, but heartbreaking, because our sin temporarily separated Him from His Father. Mark 15:34 tells us "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He bore our sin, which separated Him from His Father. At that moment, He was as separated from God as we were. But at that moment, man was reconciled with God again, as the perfect Man took away the sin of all humanity. He died after this, giving up His life. No one took it from Him. "And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last." (Mark 15:37) He was then buried by a man named Joseph. "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. (Mark 15:43-47)
A love like that should make us stop and think.
But the story doesn't end with His death and burial. Look at Mark 16:1-6!
"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."
The chapter continues in verse 9:
"Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons."
Then in verse 12:
" After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country."
In verses 14-20 it finishes:
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."
This is why Easter is a big deal. Because God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. After He died, He rose again. This is what Easter celebrates. This is what Easter is.
If you've never accepted Jesus, perhaps you feel like someone is knocking at your heart's door. If so, it's time to open the door. In John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This promise is extended to anyone who believes in Who Jesus is and what He did. Romans 10:9 puts it well when it says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This offer is open to anyone who wants it. All you have to do is say yes. So if you want it, say so. Tell Jesus you want Him. You could put it like this:
"God, I'm a sinner who missed the mark of perfection and sinned against you. I've wronged you. But I believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that He is God and that He died on a cross yet rose again. I confess my faith in You, that only You can save me from my sin. Please do that for me, and forgive me my sin, and come into my heart. Thank you for a new life, which you've given me. In Jesus name, Amen."
If you just prayed that, congratulations. You have a relationship with God now, and His angels are rejoicing over your salvation. Get ready, because He has plans for your life that will blow you away, and a home in heaven that will do the same.
Easter is a symbol of love and new life, the life that God gives us through His Son. That's why we celebrate it. That's why it's a big deal. Happy Easter. Praise the Lord!!!
This may seem off topic, but we have to go back to early history to answer the question. The Bible says that God made earth, and everything else. (Genesis 1:1) When He did, He made mankind as well, starting with two people named Adam and Eve. He only forbade them one thing, and that was to eat a certain fruit from a certain tree. This is simple enough, and everything was going fine until one day Eve was accosted by the devil, who told Eve that the one thing God said not to do was a good idea. She bites, literally. Adam makes it worse by doing the same thing, and blaming her for it. God is perfect, and can't have wrongdoing near Him, so He had to banish them from His presence. Prior to that mistake, man was actually friends with God, but that was shattered with the sin of Adam and Eve. Eventually, Adam and Eve have lots of kids, and it turns out the kids are no better than the parents. They commit new wrongs. God knows mankind is in trouble. The sin that they (and we) commit condemns us to an eternity in hell. If you doubt such a place exists, take a look at 2 Peter 2:4, or Psalm 9:17. But man cannot be in a right relationship with God, because our sin is incompatible with his perfection. However, He won't let the matter rest.
God has a Son. His name is Jesus. God sent Him to take away our sins. He came as a man, while at the same time being God, and healed and taught many people. He knew from the outset what His mission was. But it wasn't easy. He had to die in our place. However, His death wouldn't be a peaceful one. He died by a means known as crucifixion. Here's how crucifixion worked. After the victim was sentenced, the ancient Romans would then force him to carry a large wooden cross to the place of His execution. They would then take railroad spike like nails and, driving them through the victim's hands and feet, literally nail him to his own cross. This was humiliating, excruciatingly painful, and brutal. Upon being nailed, the victim would hang there, in full view of everyone, and bleed freely. Jesus was sentenced to this in Mark 15:1-15 by a Roman government official named Pontius Pilate. It says, "Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.” And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!” But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled. Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, crying aloud,began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!” Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!” So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified."
Jesus is God, but He suffered as a man would. He wasn't looking forward to it either. The Bible shows Him asking His Father to make it possible for Him not to have to do it, yet telling Him that He will if that's His Father's will in Mark 14:36. It says "And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Jesus did nothing wrong. Our sin put Him on that cross. Don't be fooled. This was not easy. In fact, it was not just painful for Him, but heartbreaking, because our sin temporarily separated Him from His Father. Mark 15:34 tells us "And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” He bore our sin, which separated Him from His Father. At that moment, He was as separated from God as we were. But at that moment, man was reconciled with God again, as the perfect Man took away the sin of all humanity. He died after this, giving up His life. No one took it from Him. "And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last." (Mark 15:37) He was then buried by a man named Joseph. "Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. (Mark 15:43-47)
A love like that should make us stop and think.
But the story doesn't end with His death and burial. Look at Mark 16:1-6!
"Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him."
The chapter continues in verse 9:
"Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons."
Then in verse 12:
" After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country."
In verses 14-20 it finishes:
Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen."
This is why Easter is a big deal. Because God loved us so much that He sent His only Son to die for us. After He died, He rose again. This is what Easter celebrates. This is what Easter is.
If you've never accepted Jesus, perhaps you feel like someone is knocking at your heart's door. If so, it's time to open the door. In John 3:16 Jesus said "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." This promise is extended to anyone who believes in Who Jesus is and what He did. Romans 10:9 puts it well when it says "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This offer is open to anyone who wants it. All you have to do is say yes. So if you want it, say so. Tell Jesus you want Him. You could put it like this:
"God, I'm a sinner who missed the mark of perfection and sinned against you. I've wronged you. But I believe in Your Son Jesus Christ, that He is God and that He died on a cross yet rose again. I confess my faith in You, that only You can save me from my sin. Please do that for me, and forgive me my sin, and come into my heart. Thank you for a new life, which you've given me. In Jesus name, Amen."
If you just prayed that, congratulations. You have a relationship with God now, and His angels are rejoicing over your salvation. Get ready, because He has plans for your life that will blow you away, and a home in heaven that will do the same.
Easter is a symbol of love and new life, the life that God gives us through His Son. That's why we celebrate it. That's why it's a big deal. Happy Easter. Praise the Lord!!!
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