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A celebration of love, forgiveness, new life
Why do we celebrate Easter? Is it an excuse to buy new spring clothes, watch the children search high and low for that last Easter egg, to satisfy your taste buds with a delicious honey roasted ham or to have a reason to attend church that day?
Well, to understand the real reason, you’d have to go back 2,000 years ago to the sacrifice of a lamb. But not just any lamb. This was the Lamb of God. Easter is a celebration of God’s love, his forgiveness, and of new life the resurrection of Jesus.
John 3:16 scripture floats around all the time. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” However, that’s where we stop.
If you keep reading, “for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed” (John 3:1718).
What is beautiful about these two verses is that Jesus was never sent to judge us but to save us. Even on the cross, he prayed for those who were persecuting him. Which brings me to my next point: Easter is also a celebration of forgiveness.
On the day he was crucified, so much hatred was displayed that no one would have blamed Jesus for cursing everyone. But that’s not what happened.
Instead, in his anguish, he asked God to forgive them (Luke 23:34b) including the very people who were shouting, “crucify him.” Jesus even had a moment with a criminal who was being crucified next to him.
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him [Jesus] but the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence. We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise’” (Luke 23:39-43).
This verse brings one chills, because it’s an incredible display of forgiveness, that only God could convey.
Even though Jesus had to suffer and die for our sin, there was good that came out of it. He brought new life. You see, he didn’t stay dead in the tomb. He rose three days later, and through his resurrection, we can rise, too. We are a new creature in him (2 Cor. 5:17). When Jesus made this sacrifice, he paid the price so we wouldn’t have to. What a glorious day. This is why we celebrate Easter; the Resurrection; salvation offered to all.
The Columbus Ministerial Alliance invites each and every one of you and your family to join us on Sunday, April 20, at 6:45 a.m. for an Easter Sunrise Service at Beason Crossing Park. Mark your calendar, and let’s celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Bring your own chairs.
