Now more than ever, as Easter 2020 approaches, people are searching for answers. Many are hopping from media sources to social networks looking for provision, promise, and protection. Many are losing hope in man-made institutions that they have trusted throughout their life. They need a new hope that offers safety and security that isn’t found in man. There’s a world of people who need to stop hopping through this current crisis and start hoping in Christ.
Meanwhile, Christians worldwide are preparing to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ in new and different ways as they face unique restrictions brought about by the current Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. In most cases, gathering as a body of believers in a physical assembly has been forbidden or at the very least strongly discouraged by local authorities. Many churches and congregations are participating in live stream services and innovative socially distanced “drive-in” services in place of physical assembly. This is the outcome of the prioritization of individual health (along with the socioeconomic ramifications of the pandemic) over the cultural religious traditions of group gatherings. While there have been arguments on either side of the aisle regarding whether assembling as a body of believers physically should or should not be allowed, there is no doubt that maintaining social distance is a viable weapon in the frontline battle against the pandemic. That being the case, still we find that priorities can be misaligned in some instances.
Consider the restrictions placed on non-essential services compared to what is considered essential. While some services are deemed essential because of their obvious need and importance, others are arbitrarily given essential or non-essential status based on someone’s subjective view of the activity. For example, I read a news article today that designates the Easter bunny as an essential worker during the pandemic. While I understand fully that this proclamation is intended to show compassion through the fictitious rendering of hope to children who “might not be visited” by the Easter bunny this year by helping them to realize that he is busy working to take care of his own family and other bunnies, but it also shows the misconceptions that permeate society about Easter that distract and minimize the Christian aspects of the Easter celebration. Sadly, even some Christians are more disappointed that they will not be able to participate in their church’s annual egg hunt than the fact that the church doors will not be open to guests and visitors who might not otherwise have opportunity to hear the glorious gospel of salvation that shows them the way to the risen Savior Jesus Christ.
Now, I don’t pretend to make a case that Easter is uniquely a Christian holiday. There are debates concerning its origin being tied to pagan legends and traditions. However, it is generally agreed upon that Easter is the designated celebration of “Resurrection Sunday” by Christians. As such, for any Christian, this date should be set aside as a victory celebration as it commemorates the fundamental foundation that our faith and hope is built upon: Jesus Christ rose from the dead!
It’s with that background that I hope to bring to the forefront the true message and hope of Easter for Christians: It’s All About Jesus! In doing so, there are a three questions that I’d like to pose initially:
- When you think of Easter, what is the first thing that comes to your mind? I would hope that it would be Jesus, the Risen Savior. Maybe it’s the empty tomb or it’s the hope that Jesus is coming again. In any case, I hope that Easter causes your mind to focus on Jesus.
- How does the world’s perspective of Easter differ from a Christian’s perspective? If you go into any supermarket (those that remain open as essential businesses these days), you will find quite readily the world’s perspective of Easter. Much like the commercialization of Christmas for the sake of children, the market shelves are filled with toys and goodies that reflect the picture of Easter presented by the world, consisting of stuffed (as well as chocolate) bunnies, straw-filled baskets, candy eggs, jellybeans, and the like. While none of these things are intrinsically bad (except for some having high sugar content), they are not what Easter is all about, especially for the Christian. Easter is about Christ.
- If you were asked to explain the meaning of the cross and the resurrection, how would you respond? During this season, perhaps more than any other, Christians have opportunity to draw the attention of those without Christ to Christ, the Redeemer and Savior. Unlike Christmas, which focuses primarily on the birth of Christ and the “baby Jesus,” Easter provides a unique opportunity to introduce others to Jesus and His finished work on the cross and through His resurrection. As Christians, we should all be prepared to explain what we believe about Jesus: that He came from Heaven to Earth to save that which was lost (Matthew 18:11); that His death on the cross paid the ransom for our souls (Romans 5:8-9); and that His bodily resurrection overcame death, Hell and the grave and provided justification to those who would believe on Him (Romans 4:24-25).
Having somewhat of a grasp as to how to answer those questions, let’s examine the crucial point at hand: our celebration of Easter should be focused on Jesus Christ!
Here are five reasons that Jesus is the reason, the hope and the ultimate answer for the Easter season, using passages from God’s Word as the basis:
1. Jesus provides for the Christian (Colossians 1:9-14)
This Easter, we can acknowledge Jesus as a Provider. We are all seeking some sort of provision, especially during this unprecedented Easter season. The apostle Paul described some of Jesus’ provisions in the following verses from his letter to the Colossians.
Colossians 1:9-14 (KJV)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
From this passage of Scripture, we can see Jesus’ provision in the following ways:
- He provides knowledge. (v. 9)
- He provides wisdom. (v. 9-10)
- He provides spiritual understanding. (v. 9)
- He provides the ability to produce fruit. (v. 11)
- He provides strength. (v. 11)
- He provides an inheritance. (v. 12)
- He provides redemption!
2. Jesus is the person of Christ (Colossians 1:13-18)
This Easter, we can Jesus as the Christ. Much like the disciple Peter’s recognition of Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16), we can recognize the Jesus as the person of Christ.
Matthew 16:15-16 (KJV)
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
We can also examine how Paul describes Christ in Colossians 1:13-18:
Colossians 1:13-18 (KJV)
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
From Paul’s description, we can see Jesus as Christ in the following ways:
- He is the Son of the Living God. (v. 13; Matthew 16:16)
- He is the image of the Invisible God. (v. 15)
- He is the firstborn of every creature. (v. 15)
- He is the Creator of all things. (v. 16)
- He is the Sustainer of all things. (v. 17)
- He is the Head of the church. (v. 18)
- He is the beginning of all things. (v. 18)
- He is the Preeminent One! (v. 18)
3. Jesus is the power found in the Cross and in the Resurrection (Colossians 1:19-23)
At Easter, we recognize the power of Christ through His death on the cross and through His resurrection.
Colossians 1:19-23 (KJV)
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
21 And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
22 In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
We can personalize that power in the following ways:
- His power gives peace through His blood (v. 20)
- His power gives reconciliation to all who believe unto Himself (v. 20-21)
- His power provides holiness to believers in His sight (v. 22)
- His power provides hope through the gospel! (v. 23)
4. Jesus provides a personal relationship to you through the love of God (John 3:16-17)
Although as children we may have found a fictional relationship in a bunny, this Easter we must acknowledge the truth found in a personal relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus. This is clearly articulated personally by Jesus in John 3:16-17:
John 3:16-17 (KJV)
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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
We can have a personal relationship with the Father through Jesus because:
- He restores fellowship.
- He redeems the lost.
- He rescues sinners.
- He died once for all in your place.
5. Jesus has a permanent position as King over all! (Revelation 4:8-11; 5:6-14)
Finally, when we think about the Easter celebration, we must ask ourselves, “Who deserves our attention and worship.” The answer can be found in Revelation 4 and 5:
Revelation 4:8-11 (KJV)
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.Revelation 5:6-14 (KJV)
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
When we really think about it, the answer to the question above is clearly Jesus Christ because:
- He is holy. (Revelation 4:8)
- He is God. (Revelation 4:8)
- He is eternal. (Revelation 4:9-10)
- He is worthy of all aspects of our worship. (Revelation 4:11; Revelation 5:10-14)
- He is the lamb which was slain. (Revelation 5:6)
- He is the Redeemer. (Revelation 5:9)
Knowing all of this, I hope that it’s evident to every believer that our goal as Christians must be to lift up Jesus Christ this Easter season. In a world that’s as lost, confused, and fearful as it ever has been, we must help people stop hopping from one man-made solution to another and guide them to the only true answer that brings peace – the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ. That can start by making certain that your Easter is all about Jesus Christ.
