The Bottom Line and Meaning of Easter
With no resurrection, there’s no Easter
Easter is the time of year to get together with loved ones and celebrate family traditions which often include: Easter dinner, jelly beans, Easter egg hunts and, of course, a trip to church.
The big question is why bother going to church? If Jesus was simply a good man who lived 2,000 years ago, why spoil Easter dinner and potentially miss a basketball game, with church?
The answer to that question is profound. The man, Jesus of Nazareth, was publicly beaten, whipped, tortured to death by crucifixion, and confirmed dead by a final sword thrust.
He was securely buried three days earlier, but now his body was missing. Not only that, but an entire guard of Roman soldiers had been stationed at his tomb, with an official Roman insignia on the two-ton boulder sealing its entrance. Why this special precaution? Because Jesus had stated that after his crucifixion, he would come back to life on the third day.
On that third day, the boulder was found up a slope, away from the tomb. The guards had fled. And inside the tomb, Jesus’ body was not there. An official report was circulated stating that Jesus’ disciples took the body while the guards slept.
The disciples, who had been in hiding fearing for their lives, were now out and about claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead–and had even physically (not spiritually) appeared to them on several occasions. Some thought the disciples were hiding Jesus’ body. If so, then it’s hard to explain why each of them independently traveled to other countries, eventually dying a martyr’s death. Who would give up their life for what they knew was a lie?
Paul, who had been one of the most vicious persecutors of the disciples and the early Christians, later became convinced that Jesus’ resurrection was true. Paul eventually was beheaded for his faith in Jesus. How important is it if Jesus was raised from the dead or not? Paul put it this way: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
During his life, Jesus healed many people of diseases and disabilities and performed many miracles to verify his deity. Then he offered the biggest proof of all–he stated that he would be crucified and come back to life three days later. That’s why the Roman soldiers were guarding the tomb. Simple, straightforward. It’s like saying, “You’ll know if everything I’ve said to you is true by this: I will come back to life three days after they crucify me.”
By the end of the first century nearly one million Jews were followers of Jesus. What caused such an instant, explosive following? First, Jesus’ body was indeed missing. If anyone could have produced the body, that would have put an end to it. Second, Jesus must have lived an amazing life to cause so many, so quickly after his death to worship him as the Messiah. Third, as with the disciples, Jesus must have physically appeared to many people, confirming to them the reality of his resurrection, because individual after individual willingly endured persecution in order to tell others.
If this isn’t true, then for heaven’s sake sleep in Easter morning. If you believe that it is, then ask Jesus to come into your heart right now. Jesus said: “If any man hears my voice and opens the door [to your heart] I will come in.” You can ask him in right now and he will. Then Jesus won’t be someone you visit once a year, but you can walk with him the other 364.
For a concise look at what convinced Jesus’ disciples and the early Christians, see the feature article Beyond Blind Faith.
Copyright 2000 Every Student’s Choice. Used with permission.
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