"Easter Sunday" is celebrated by millions of people world-wide who remember the resurrection of Jesus on this special day. Many people think of it as "the most holy" of religious holidays; and for some, it marks the only time they attend church services.
If it is as important as some would have us think, then it is something we should think about often, certainly more than once a year. But what is it all about? What does it mean?
In our present time we are seeing a number of ideas around, books written and films made suggesting that the Lord Jesus Christ did not die on Calvary. This would mean that He was not buried in the tomb, and so did not rise to new life from the dead! If those suggestions are true, then we can forget about Easter. Paul touches on this thought as he writes to the Corinthian Christians.
1Corinthians 15:19 If we who are abiding in Christ have hope only in this life and that is all, then we are of all people most miserable and to be pitied. [Amp]
That the Lord Jesus died on Calvary is a vital issue, as the Scriptures tell us it was there that He was offered as a sacrifice for us, bearing our sin and judgement. That He rose from the dead is also vitally important; as we shall see.
The infallible Word of God, the Bible has clear teaching regarding this important issue. Let us look at some of this teaching, and see what Easter Means . . .
EASTER MEANS . . .
WE HAVE PROOF THAT CHRIST DIED
PROOF BY HIS CHASTISEMENT
Isaiah tells us that what happened on Calvary was for our sakes, dealing with our sin, transgressions, and iniquity.
Isaiah 53:5 He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needful to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole. [Amp]
Paul also confirms this in his letter to the Roman Christians.
Romans 5:8 God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [NLT]
PROOF BY HIS WOUNDED BODY
We see the proof of His death and resurrection when He appeared to the disciples in the upper-room, and spoke directly to Thomas’
John 20:27 Then He said to Thomas, "Bring your finger here and feel my hands; bring you hand and put it into my side; and do not be ready to disbelieve but to believe." [Wey]
Paul, who was not a follower of the Lord at the time of the death of the Lord Jesus, speaks clearly of the crucifixion in his letter to the Galatian Church, and refers to it as a curse!
PROOF BY HIS CURSE
Galatians 3:13 Christ purchased our freedom, redeeming us from the curse of the Law and its condemnation by Himself becoming a curse for us, for it is written in the Scriptures, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree (is crucified). [Amp]
Much time could be spent to prove from the Word of God that Christ died. We need to accept the reality of the death of the Lord, before we can appreciate the wonder of the resurrection.
There is another important aspect for us to look at, to help us enjoy the thrill of Easter – it is that God had already foreseen all that was going to take place, and not only had He prepared for it, but He inspired the prophets to speak concerning it!
EASTER MEANS . . .
THAT PROPHECY WAS FULFILLED
Previously in Psalm 16, David foretells the resurrection. We need to recognise that he was speaking prophetically of the coming Christ.
PROPHESIED BY DAVID
Psalm 16:10 You will not leave my soul in Hell, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. [NKJV]
The Apostles also observed that the Old Testament was unmistakable concerning the Lord’s death and resurrection, and allude to it without apology or explanation, as none was needed. We refer to the words of the Apostle Paul as he spoke to the Jews at Antioch;
PROMISED TO THE FATHERS
Acts 13:32-33 We tell you the good news that the promise made to our forefathers 33 has come true – that, in raising up Jesus, God has fulfilled it for us their children. This is endorsed in the second psalm: ‘Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.’ [Philips]
See how Paul links Old Testament Scriptures to New Testament happenings.
Perhaps one of the clearest prophetic statements comes from the Lord Jesus Himself as He was approaching Jerusalem while on the way to Calvary. He spoke of His betrayal, crucifixion, and of His resurrection – even declaring the resurrection to be on the third day!
PROPHESIED BY CHRIST HIMSELF
Matthew 20:18-19 “Listen,” he said, “we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die. 19 Then they will hand him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day he will be raised from the dead.”
This is really remarkable, and can only be understood when we accept that the Lord Jesus was actually foretelling His own death, and His resurrection!
The wonder of the resurrection becomes even greater when we see that God the Father was satisfied with the substitutionary death of the Lord Jesus. To understand that He died for me, and then to know that the Father accepts the death of Jesus instead of me, makes the resurrection even more amazing! God was satisfied!
EASTER MEANS . . .
THAT GOD WAS SATISFIED
Paul tells us in Ephesians that it was the power of God that raised Christ from the dead – sin had been dealt with, and we find acceptance with God.
RESURRECTED BY GOD’S POWER
Ephesians 1:19-20 I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead. [NLT]
We must be clear in our understanding that Jesus Christ did actually die, as the penalty for our sin. When a person is dead, then there is no natural life in him, but God’s power was demonstrated here, in the raising to new life of Jesus from the dead, and that is not all - God the Father was so pleased with what Jesus did on Calvary for poor lost sinners, that He has now given Him the place of honour!
RESURRECTED TO GOD’S RIGHT HAND
Ephesians 1:20 and seated him in the place of honour at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. [NLT]
Even that is not all, for the thrilling reality goes further, and we see that the resurrection makes a powerful declaration concerning Jesus. Paul, addressing the Christians at Rome, states that the resurrection proves that Jesus, the Christ, is indeed the Son of God.
RESURRECTED TO PROVE SONSHIP
Romans 1:4 Jesus Christ . . . was established as the powerful Son of God by the resurrection from the dead according to the Spirit of holiness.
To enjoy Easter fully, we need to try and understand what Easter means for us. If it does not touch our lives then it is just an historical event – but Easter – the Resurrection - does have meaning for us today – Hallelujah! It means that we who have placed our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He did for us on Calvary when He took our sin and dealt with it, are now justified! That is a good Biblical word! – Justified. What does it mean? A simple way of understanding it is to say just if I’d never sinned! The Apostle Paul has a lot to say about this wonderful fact.
EASTER MEANS . . .
THAT WE CAN BE JUSTIFIED
JUSTIFICATION BECAUSE OF THE RESURRECTION
Romans 4:25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
You will see there that the death and resurrection of the Lord was for us; that we might be made right in the sight of a Holy God. Because of that there is nothing to fear in God’s presence, as we do not stand condemned for our sin, because Christ bore that for us! Now we are ‘in Christ’.
JUSTIFICATION BRINGS ACCEPTANCE
Romans 8:1 there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
There is a transforming result from realising this great truth. We do not need to fear retribution for our sin, we are now at peace with God, because we are ‘in Christ’!
JUSTIFICATION BRINGS PEACE
Romans 5:1 since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
When we grasp these amazing truths, the resurrection becomes so marvellous to us.
But even that is not all! For now we can enjoy eternal life. And that starts when we trust the Lord as our Saviour! We don’t have to wait until we get to heaven, if you are truly a believer, then you already have eternal life!
EASTER MEANS . . .
THAT BELIEVERS HAVE ETERNAL LIFE
CHRIST HAS THE KEYS OF HELL AND DEATH
Revelation 1:18 I am the first and the last, the living one. I am he who was dead, and now you see me alive for timeless ages! I hold in my hand the keys of death and the grave.
Death no longer has fear for the Christian, because they have life eternal, having been ‘born again’! And in the event of our dieing before the rapture of the Church, we know that we will be raised from the grave when Christ comes for His own.
HIS RESURRECTION ASSURES US OF OUR BEING RAISED
II Corinthians 4:14 We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you.
Peter picks up this thought for us,
HIS RESURRECTION ASSURES US OF HEAVEN
I Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. According to His great mercy, He has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, uncorrupted, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.
All of this means that we have exceptionally good news to share.
EASTER MEANS . . .
THAT WE HAVE A GOSPEL TO SHARE
The basis on which we can make known and build our faith is clear,
THE BASIS OF THE GOOD NEWS
I Corinthians 15:20-22 20 Christ has been raised from the dead. He is the first of a great harvest of all who have died. 21 So you see, just as death came into the world through a man, now the resurrection from the dead has begun through another man 22 Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life.
What wonderful news – through Christ, those who belong to Him, find ‘New Life’. The New Life we have now through faith in Christ will be enhanced at the resurrection of the saints! It just gets better!
This ‘Good News’ is central to all the Word of God. In the Old Testament it was promised, and in the New Testament it is proclaimed, and for the one who believes it is possessed! Paul devoted his life to making known the truth of the good news.
THE THEME OF PAUL’S PREACHING
II Timothy 2:8 Remember always, as the centre of everything, Jesus Christ, a descendant of David, raised by God from the dead according to my gospel. [Philips]
This is what makes being a Christian really exciting – it is knowing the reality of the resurrection, both of Jesus and of all who believe. Believing this truth, and all that it implies is what secures our salvation
THE FOUNDATION OF SALVATION’S PLAN
Romans 10:9 if you acknowledge and confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord, and in your heart believe the truth that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [Amp]
I would invite you to ask the Risen Christ into your heart and life, and then you will know what Easter Means.
