What’s So Special About Easter?
What makes Easter different from any other holiday? It’s neatly tucked between St. Patrick’s Day and Mother’s Day. One more checkbox to tick on the calendar in between errands and spring cleaning.
Is there something more?
We buy new clothes, hide eggs, wait for the Easter bunny, but is there something more? What is the purpose of this spring celebration so widely celebrated?
This holiday is unique among all others.
This is the day that Jesus, Himself, prophesied before dying on the cross. He said that He was going to come alive again after His death. And He did. He picked up His life again. “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” John 10:18
Jesus was completely God and completely man.
Jesus, completely God and completely man, displayed his deity throughout His time on earth. He walked on water, healed incurable sicknesses, forgave sins, and even raised people from the dead.
His power was on display on Easter Sunday.
All of this power was on display on Easter Sunday. Just days after dying on the cross, the resurrection power of God burst from the tomb as Jesus picked up His life! Jesus raised Himself back to life and utterly destroyed death.
Jesus’ resurrection is the reason we have
Hope
The resurrection of Jesus is the highest truth of Christianity and our sole reason to rejoice. 1 Corinthians 15:14 says, “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.”
Easter is the reason we share the good news of forgiveness.
In conquering death, Jesus also conquered our death, and our sin, and our separation from God. He literally took our place of punishment so that we can live in right standing with God. All we have to do is accept the truth that we are sinners (e.g. we do stupid, evil, bad, hurtful things to others and ourselves, and worship other things instead of God), and trust that Jesus truly did pay the price for us. It is that simple to live in a right relationship with God. We don’t need to “clean ourselves up” to come to God. We go to Him first…and then He cleans us up over time. (What a relief!)
Easter is the reason we can pray.
Because Jesus conquered the bonds of sin, and the separation from God, we now have complete and total access to bend the ear of God! Hebrews 14:6 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We have access to the very throne room of God!
Easter is the reason we have hope.
Easter is the holiday of holidays. John 14:19b says, “…because I live, you will live also.” We have the privilege and power to live in heaven forever if we choose to, because of Easter alone.
What Next?
If you are still curious about Easter, keep digging! You have to figure it out for yourself. Either Jesus was a lunatic who claimed to be God, or He really was (and is) God. If He really is God, and God is love, then He really does love You, and wants to reveal Himself to You.
The Next Steps
Consider these three things as you continue on your journey.
- Read the Bible – start with Luke and John and learn about what the Bible says who Jesus is.
- Pray – God listens, and answers. Not always in ways we wish He would, but be honest and share your doubts, “Jesus, I’m not sure I believe in You, would You please reveal to me whether You are real or not?” See what happens in your life over the next couple of weeks.
- Find a Bible-believing church. Look for a place that teaches out of the Bible, that explains what the Bible means, that is accepting of all types of people, and is approachable with questions.
If you have more questions and would like to speak to one of our pastors, or ask them a question – let us know!
Celebrate with us!
Join us on Easter Sunday (April 17th) at 10:30 am at the Westbank in Idaho Falls (525 River Pkwy) to celebrate Easter together! We’re havng a free, full ham-dinner following service for anyone who would like to join us! (Like 300 plates of it, so come hungry!)
Cameron is assistant pastor at The Gathering, his wife Amanda teaches at Alturas Academy, and Kristine is a member of the Gathering. All three of us are passionate about making sure you know about the love of Jesus and His sacrifice for YOU!