Easter is this weekend and many people are excited, but what is Easter really about? Some say it’s about pagan practices, others say the Easter bunny and eggs, and then to others it’s a special day to go to church. But why is it special? Because Jesus has risen! That’s what Easter is really about! But why does that matter?
What Is Easter Really About?
Easter is the day Jesus rose from the dead! That’s what Easter is really about. I know there is a lot of arguments about pagan practices, and the Easter bunny, and eggs, but I really don’t care about any of that. My and my family’s focus is on the fact Jesus is risen.
Related: Getting saved and what the really means for you.
Why Does It Matter That Jesus Has Risen?
Jesus dying and rising from the grave is important because Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice. What does that mean? How was He a sacrifice? To answer that we have to go back to the Old Testament.
In the Old Testament, God required the Isrealites to make sacrifices. These sacrifices covered the sins that they had committed. In Hebrews 9:22 it says “…Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.”
Each sacrifice had a certain criteria and procedure. So, when this sacrifice was done there was forgiveness and the removal of sins from the Israelites.
Do you see where this is going?
Jesus Is The Ultimate Sacrifice
In the New Testament, you see that Jesus dies and rises from the grave becoming the ultimate sacrifice. Jesus took all our sins and shame and guilt upon Himself, His blood was shed, and we are covered in His blood.
This means, if we accept Jesus as our Savior, and accept Jesus’ sacrifice, then we have the benefits of His sacrifice which is eternal life. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice we are Saved. We have salvation in Christ!
What Is Easter Really About? Let’s Deep Dive Into The Story of Christ
I’m not going to go into Christ’s life from birth to death, but I think we’ll start with Matthew 26.
In this chapter we see the Pharisees plotting to kill Jesus and Judas Iscariot accepting money to betray Jesus. But more importantly we see Jesus celebrating Passover with His disciples and let’s them know one of them will betray Him and that Peter will deny Him.
After the dinner Jesus goes to a place called Gethsemane where He prays to God while a few of His disciples were with Him and kept falling asleep. But during all this Judas and the chief priests, elders, and others came and Judas gave Him a kiss and betrayed him.
One of the disciples cut off the ear off a priest and Jesus healed the priest and willingly went with the people.
Now we will sum up Matthew 27.
Jesus was then put in front of the leaders and they could find no fault in Him, and yet the crowd still wanted Him dead. While this is all happening, Peter does deny Jesus 3 times by the time the cock crows. Eventually Jesus was brought before Pilate who found no fault in Him, but left the blood on the mobs hands. The mob chose Jesus to crucify instead of Barabbas and he had Jesus scourged.
What is scourged? It is being beaten with a handle that has several cords that had jagged pieces of bones and metal in the cords.
The Crucifying Of Jesus Christ
Once Pilate washed his hands of Jesus, the soldiers took Jesus and stripped Him and placed a scarlet robe on Him. They placed a crown of thorns on His head and mocked Him. They spit on Him and beat Him. The robe was tore off of Him, He was clothed again, and then He was crucified in Golgotha.
They tried to give Him in vinegar with gall, and He would not drink it. They took His garments and cast lots which fulfilled prophesy. Above His head was “This Is Jesus The King Of The Jews.”Next to Him two thieves crucified.
During this the chief priests mocked Him. Then during 6th hour darkness covered the land until the 9th hour.
And during the 9th hour this happened:
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
47 Some of them that stood there, when they heard that, said, This man calleth for Elias.
48 And straightway one of them ran, and took a spunge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink.
49 The rest said, Let be, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.
50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost.
51 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,
53 And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.
54Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God.
Bible Gateway
The Resurrection Of Jesus Christ
That gives me chills. Jesus died and all that happens. He suffered so much for us. But it gets better.
As we continue Matthew 27 we see that a man named Joseph comes to get Jesus’ body and had Him wrapped in linen and put into a tomb.
This is where it gets good!
The chief priests know of the prophecy of Jesus rising from the dead. So they had the sepulcher guarded. They were afraid Jesus’ disciples would try to trick everyone and take the body.
Now let’s go to Matthew 28.
At the end of the Sabbath Mary Magdalene and Mary came to see Jesus. Before they got there though and there was a great earthquake. And angel of the Lord came down and rolled back the stone and sat on it. The guards were terrified and became as dead men. To the women he told them that Jesus has risen and to tell His disciples.
And they did just that. But along the way they met Jesus! The disciples worshipped, and those who doubted were shown that it was really Jesus and they were given the Holy Spirit before Jesus ascended to Heaven. (Luke 24:51).
Jesus Is A Living God
We often think of Jesus as dead. He died for our sins, but that’s all we tend to think about. We forget that He is alive. Jesus is in Heaven right now sitting at God’s right hand, interceding and praying for us, going before the Father for us, and preparing a home for us.
Jesus is alive. He died for me and you so that we could forsake this broken world, be whole in Him and have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
God sacrificed His only Son for you! He loves you more than you know. What is Easter really about? That’s what Easter is really about! God’s amazing love and Jesus’ sacrifice.
A Prayer Of Salvation
If you’re ready to make that walk, take that leap into Love, Faith, and be Saved then say this prayer:
Lord,
I accept Jesus Christ as my Savior. I know You sent Him to die for my sins, the ultimate sacrifice. I believe in the miracles He did and the salvation He brings. I not only accept Jesus in my heart, but accept His sacrifice. I accept your love, O’ Lord, and I give my life to You. I live for You and ask that You forgive me of my sins. I repent of all my sins past and present and ask You make me new in You.
Take away all doubt and unbelief, help me overcome my flesh, flee from temptation, and build a stronger relationship with you. Make me strong in You. I choose You, O’ Lord and I live for You and accept Your grace. You are my God.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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What is Easter really about? I hope this was able to sum everything up for you. Do you still have questions? Share them! I’d love to try to answer them.
