Faith | Let’s celebrate the real reason for Easter. He is risen!
What is most people’s perception of Easter?
It seems to me to be much like Christmas in that many of us go on a buying frenzy for ourselves, and our kids, for a sense of gratification and short-term happiness.
We might buy anything related to the Easter theme of bunnies and colored eggs. Or it may be something like different kinds of candy, stuffed bunnies, toys, puzzles, games, special food dishes, clothes, baskets, and anything else that can be related to the Easter holiday.
Easter, like some other holidays, definitely appears to be a time when businesses try to make extra money by promoting and selling all sorts of stuff that can relate to the holiday.
As a child growing up, my experience was just that; having a good time, doing fun things, eating candy, getting some toys, boiling eggs and then coloring them with exotic designs for an Easter egg hunt at home— with prizes.
I remember that my mom always had a special Easter egg basket for me with chocolate Easter eggs in it. She would always fix a special meal, and try to make it a fun time for me, my brother, and sister. Once in a while, we would go to town for a large Easter egg hunt, joining lots of other children. They’d always seem to have a “golden egg” for special prize money for whoever found it; and other eggs that were marked for special prizes. I definitely enjoyed it, especially when I got a prize.
Easter for me growing up had nothing to do with what Easter really meant. I didn’t have a clue what it was supposed to mean, since my family wasn’t very religious and never attended church.
It makes me wonder just how many people really understand what the holiday represents? Easter Sunday commemorates Jesus Christ being resurrected from the dead three days after his brutal death on a Roman cross.
After I grew up, I learned the true meaning of Easter; it is all about Jesus’ resurrection, more appropriately called Resurrection Day.
I still enjoy the fun parts, as I did as a child, and now with my children. But I enjoy this day even more as an adult knowing its true meaning. I have had the opportunity to teach my children — and also my grandson — about the real meaning of Easter.
Jesus Christ loves us so much that he wants the best for us, and that includes having a personal relationship with each and every one of us.
In order to do this, Christ had victory over death. He rose from the dead after three days, exactly as he said he would. This proved, once for all, that he really was the Son of God who had come in the flesh to live as one of us.
Like you and me, he was tempted to sin, yet he lived a perfect, sinless life. Then, even though he was a totally innocent man, he subjected himself to being brutally crucified on a Roman Cross for us.
Jesus Christ was the perfect (totally pure) sacrifice for all of mankind’s sins (past, present, and future). At age thirty-three, he suffered and died on Calvary to give us his righteousness, and to replace our sinful ways.
For us, if we trust him as our Savior and Lord, it means we can someday live forever in happiness in his heavenly kingdom — a place where there is no sin or imperfection.
So, why do we celebrate Easter? He is risen!
Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick and vice chairman of the Tri-Cities Child Evangelism Fellowship. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
