Easter – Resurrection Sunday

Easter is Sunday, April 4. This is the day we set aside to celebrate the resurrection of our leader, Jesus Christ. Why is this holiday important? Why is it significant? And what makes it different than other holidays?

The resurrection of Jesus from the grave is the most important event in Christianity. In the garden of Eden man sinned and had been condemned to death. Death had the final say. Death put an end to any life, any goodness, any future one would expect. Death silenced all who would live for God. With the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He took away death’s power. Man would no longer need to fear death. For the resurrection introduced the way to overcome death – that through faith in Jesus. For as in Adam, all died, in Christ – all can now live.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians about the resurrection, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.” Christianity is centralized on the victory Jesus claimed over sin and death on the cross. Now we can say, “O death, where is your sting? O, death, where is your victory?”

Paul also writes “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” The whole theme of the Old Testament pointed to this event. There are over 70 prophecies written in the Bible predicting the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus from the dead! This was not some random event, but a precise, planned, and predicted happening orchestrated by God Himself!

Finally, this single event in history is what sets Christianity apart from all other religions. No other religion, from Hinduism to Buddism to Islam, can say they have a founder or leader who has conquered death. Their leaders are all dead. Drop the mic. Christianity has a risen, leader in Jesus, who is preparing a place for His followers and will return to take them to be where He is.

As you plan to worship this Easter Sunday, whether in-person or online, here are some suggestions to check out to prepare your heart for Easter.