As we approach the end of Lent and look towards Holy Week, we are faced with the reminder of what Jesus endured. Yet some believe that Easter is more about chocolate eggs, treasure hunts and a grand Sunday lunch than some man dying on a piece of wood!
As you know, Easter is a time of year that holds special significance for followers of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the amazing victory he achieved through his resurrection. As we celebrate Easter, let us be reminded of the powerful message of hope and love that it represents and not how many chocolate eggs we receive.
The story of Easter begins with Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. Crowds of people cheered and waved palm branches as he rode into the city on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9. This event marked the beginning of what would be a very challenging week for Jesus, culminating in his crucifixion on Good Friday.
Jesus’ death on the cross was a brutal and painful experience. He endured unimaginable suffering for the sake of our salvation, taking upon himself the punishment that we deserved. In that moment it may have seemed like all hope was lost. But as we know, this was not the end of the story.
On the third day after his death, Jesus rose from the dead, defeating death once and for all. This miraculous event is the cornerstone of our faith as Christians, and it provides us with the hope and assurance of eternal life. As the Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep… For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”
The message of Easter is one of love and redemption. It is a reminder of the incredible lengths that God went to in order to save us from our sins. As followers of Jesus Christ, we are called to live out this message in our daily lives. We are called to love others as Christ loved us, to serve others selflessly, and to share the good news of the gospel with those around us. We can do this in confidence knowing that this story is true.
Easter is also a time for us to reflect on our own lives and the areas where we need to grow closer to God. As we seek to deepen our relationship with God during this season, may we be inspired by the example of Jesus and the incredible sacrifice he made on our behalf.
Be in no doubt that Easter is a time of year that holds special significance for followers of Jesus Christ. It is a time to reflect on the ultimate sacrifice made by Jesus Christ, and the amazing victory he achieved through his resurrection. Let us be reminded of the powerful message of hope and love that Easter represents and let us seek to live out this message in our daily lives. May this Easter season be a time of renewal and transformation for each one of us, as we draw closer to God and strive to be more like Jesus in all that we say and do.
God bless
 | David Skeet is our church team leader. Taken from the latest edition of our bi-monthly church newsletter. |