Why does everyone make such a big deal out of Easter? I'm not talking about the new outfits, the Easter Bunny, egg hunts, Peeps or sales at Kohl's.
For some reason, this holiday has endured as a major celebration. It has not become nearly as commercialized as Christmas. The historical events behind Easter are not nearly as cute as the Christmas story.
A man was falsely accused, condemned and executed, while his friends ran for cover. Then, on the third day, this man came back to life. It is a story full of drama and pathos; it is far from cute. But why does the story need to be told over and over? Why do we need to celebrate?
Easter is evidence that God has not forgotten us. The world is full of hardship and evil, but God entered this messed-up world as Jesus Christ. He took on the evil of the world, suffering ridicule and rejection, even to the point of death.
God the Son died at the hands of his evil creatures. Death, one would think, would be the final word. But it wasn't. On the third day, this dead man came back to life. He defeated death.
In his death and resurrection, Jesus won the battle against evil on behalf of all who believe in him. He used the greatest imaginable evil against himself to bring the blessings of heaven to the ones who had him killed.
If God loves us this much, that changes everything. He wants our company. He redeems our sinful hearts. He gives us his own goodness.
Because of Easter, we can now see life in light of the Resurrection! It makes all the difference in the world
