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The True Meaning of Easter
What comes to mind when you think of Easter?
Whatever images pop into your head, the truth is that Easter is so much greater than we can comprehend. It’s a story of victory and redemption. It’s the day we celebrate Jesus Christ rising from the dead.
But what does that have to do with you? And why does it matter?
Easter is the difference between life and death. Without Easter, we have no hope or meaning.
The whole reason Jesus Christ came to earth in the first place was to save us from death and give us a chance to start a new life with Him. See, we’re all sinners, meaning we all fall short of God’s perfect standard. The punishment for sin is death, and not just physical death but spiritual death—eternal separation from God.
Yet because of God’s love for us, He made a way for us to reach Him. That’s through Jesus, who willingly died an agonizing death on a cross to pay the price for our sins and create a bridge between us and God. He died in our place—in your place.
But it didn’t end there. Jesus then conquered death by rising again three days later. That glorious day is what we call Easter—the day the bonds of sin lost their grip, vanquished in the ultimate expression of Christ’s love for us. Because He lives, you can also live forever with Him in heaven.
If you make Jesus part of your life, you are no longer condemned to spiritual death. You have hope, not only for eternal life with Jesus, but for today—for a life filled with true meaning and God’s guidance.
So what does Easter have to do with you? Everything.
What will you choose today: life with Christ or without Him?
Step 1 – God’s Purpose: Peace and Life
The Bible says:
"We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
Romans 5:1
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
John 3:16
"I [Jesus] came that they may have life and have it abundantly."
John 10:10
Step 2 – The Problem: Sin Separates Us
The Bible says:
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
Romans 3:23
"For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 6:23
The Bible says:
"There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death."
Proverbs 14:12
"But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear."
Isaiah 59:2
Step 3 – God’s Remedy: The Cross
The Bible says:
"For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 2:5
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God."
1 Peter 3:18
"But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Romans 5:8
Step 4 – Our Response: Receive Christ
The Bible says:
"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me."
Revelation 3:20
"But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."
John 1:12
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Romans 10:9
Here is how you can receive Christ:
- Admit your need. (I am a sinner.)
- Be willing to turn from your sins (repent) and ask for God's forgiveness.
- Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the cross and rose from the grave.
- Through prayer, invite Jesus Christ to come in and control your life through the Holy Spirit. (Receive Jesus as Lord and Savior)
We suggest a prayer like this one:
"Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I want to turn from my sins, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son. I believe He died for my sins and that You raised Him to life. I want Him to come into my heart and to take control of my life. I want to trust Jesus as my Savior and follow Him as my Lord from this day forward. In Jesus' Name, amen."
Did you pray this prayer?