What Is the Message of Easter?

Jesus lives! At the empty tomb an angel announced, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said…” (Matthew 28:6).

The resurrection declared Jesus won. He defeated sin, death, and Satan forever. What does that mean for us? It means life!

Through faith in him we can experience eternal life in heaven and abundant life here on this earth. That fact is clearly stated.

“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” (John 3:16).

“…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10).

Christ’s victory at the cross gave us an amazing gift for spending our life day by day:

• Power to live a holy life here and now.
• Peace regardless of circumstances.
• Promise of his divine presence on our daily path through His indwelling Spirit.

Before the crucifixion, Jesus told his followers he soon would be leaving them. “And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever” (John 14:16).

He said, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18).

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26).

“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26).

“… It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment … when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth …” (see John 16:7, 8, 13).

Before his ascension, Jesus encouraged his disciples to “wait for the promise of the Father … For John truly baptized with water: but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost … But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (see Acts 1:4, 5, 8).

The disciples could not anticipate how the Holy Spirit would add a new dimension to life. And then Pentecost happened. God’s Spirit bathed them with supernatural power, peace, and promise. They went forth proclaiming his mighty name so that others could find life — eternal and abundant.

Preceding the exuberance of the resurrection, they had experienced somber Gethsemane. The gospels give us a glimpse into the humanity of Jesus. He had left his disciples to pray alone. He knew he was going to die. I wonder if it was harder than he expected. Clearly he dreaded it. And it appears he would have changed it if he could.

He prayed, “… Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:43-44).

Imagine such anguish! Jesus went through with the plan, enduring the cross — the public humiliation, the excruciating pain, the darkness of separation from the Father. Why? Because of his great love for mankind.

The story didn’t end at the grave. “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3b-4).

Other religious leaders have died. Only Jesus conquered death to live again, setting Christianity apart from other faiths.

Resurrection Day came, bringing life. Eternal. Abundant.

Let us never cease to celebrate!