Easter is my favorite holiday for many reasons. Possibly the greatest reason is that it defines Christianity. Even more it verifies Christianity. We find in the Christian message a multifaceted apologetic for an amazing reality, there is life beyond the grave.
Christianity is all about Christ, and he came to the earth as a human being in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The Christmas story is all about the Incarnation, truly a great doctrine in and of itself. From his very conception Jesus lived a sanctified life, he was set apart from the world. But the life of Jesus was not without it's temptations and troubles. He was a man of sorrows and there was nothing in him we would naturally be attracted to. His life was a life without sin but with great Spiritual power. His teachings were almost ironic for he taught the way up is down. To gain our life we must lose it. And to gain eternal life was greater than anything this life had to offer.
Also we see that the suffering and death of Jesus was foolish. There's simply no other way to understand it in the eyes of the world. Who in there right mind would accept "defeat" at the hands of his accusers so readily. Just after accepting Peter's confession of him as the Christ in Matthew 16, Jesus prophesied to his disciples that he would be arrested and executed by his own countrymen. Peter then protested with all his might at the very thought of such a foolish idea. For clearly Jesus was gaining new popularity in Israel and could surely win the favor of the people to restore the Davidic monarchy. But Jesus understood a much greater Spiritual victory and endured the cross, despising it's shame, and died at the hands of the Romans.
But, and this is the great proclamation, Jesus arose from the grave three days later. Because of the Incarnation and the Life, there was the Resurrection. Jesus wasn't just a man, he is the God-Man, the Son of God, the Messiah with eternal life. Not only did Jesus fulfill all Biblical prophecy he resonates with our souls today. For who does not seek life, and life abundantly? Jesus declared in his teachings, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10. Even more he declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live," John 11:25.
No other person in all the earth has ever had such a birth, life, teachings and resurrection. Surely our consciences speak to us that we want such a life and need eternal life. We are mortal, sinful and unwise in our selves. We need the immortality of Christ who has overcome the world. The Easter message is absolutely relevant every day of the year, and we especially celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
Christianity is all about Christ, and he came to the earth as a human being in the life of Jesus of Nazareth. The Christmas story is all about the Incarnation, truly a great doctrine in and of itself. From his very conception Jesus lived a sanctified life, he was set apart from the world. But the life of Jesus was not without it's temptations and troubles. He was a man of sorrows and there was nothing in him we would naturally be attracted to. His life was a life without sin but with great Spiritual power. His teachings were almost ironic for he taught the way up is down. To gain our life we must lose it. And to gain eternal life was greater than anything this life had to offer.
Also we see that the suffering and death of Jesus was foolish. There's simply no other way to understand it in the eyes of the world. Who in there right mind would accept "defeat" at the hands of his accusers so readily. Just after accepting Peter's confession of him as the Christ in Matthew 16, Jesus prophesied to his disciples that he would be arrested and executed by his own countrymen. Peter then protested with all his might at the very thought of such a foolish idea. For clearly Jesus was gaining new popularity in Israel and could surely win the favor of the people to restore the Davidic monarchy. But Jesus understood a much greater Spiritual victory and endured the cross, despising it's shame, and died at the hands of the Romans.
But, and this is the great proclamation, Jesus arose from the grave three days later. Because of the Incarnation and the Life, there was the Resurrection. Jesus wasn't just a man, he is the God-Man, the Son of God, the Messiah with eternal life. Not only did Jesus fulfill all Biblical prophecy he resonates with our souls today. For who does not seek life, and life abundantly? Jesus declared in his teachings, "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly," John 10:10. Even more he declares, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live," John 11:25.
No other person in all the earth has ever had such a birth, life, teachings and resurrection. Surely our consciences speak to us that we want such a life and need eternal life. We are mortal, sinful and unwise in our selves. We need the immortality of Christ who has overcome the world. The Easter message is absolutely relevant every day of the year, and we especially celebrate the life and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
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