We celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Resurrection Sunday, commonly known as Easter. In the USA, traditions such as the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts are often observed, along with family dinners featuring roast turkey and ham. In the Philippines, Easter is often celebrated with an early Mass, including a procession of the Risen Christ and Virgin Mary statues (Salubong). Families gather for festive meals and community events.

Resurrection Sunday is not about bunnies and egg hunts, nor is it primarily about the reunion of Jesus and Mary after the resurrection. It is about Jesus—His sacrifice and triumph over death. It is about the reconciliation of imperfect humanity with a perfect God.

Why did Jesus have to die?
Jesus’ main purpose in coming to earth as a man was to die for humanity, taking the place of all sinners. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Everyone has sinned; no one is exempt. The punishment for sin is death: “For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23a). Jesus took upon Himself the sin of humanity and endured its punishment—death.

All humans will die physically because of sin, and spiritually we are dead because of sin. As sinners, we are not acceptable to a holy God. We become acceptable when our sin is cleansed or removed. In the Old Testament, God instructed the Jews to offer an unblemished lamb as a daily sacrifice to cover committed sins. This had to be done twice daily—killed and burnt on the altar of the Temple. Jesus became that Lamb of God—unblemished by sin. He was sacrificed once and for all. Unlike the repeated sacrifices in the Old Testament, Jesus’ death was a single, sufficient, and final sacrifice for sin. Through His death, all punishment for sin is fulfilled.

Why did He have to rise again?
Only God has power over death. When Jesus rose from the dead, He conquered death: “Knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no more. Death no longer has dominion over Him” (Romans 6:9). The Bible says, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” The resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates His power over death. Christianity offers a complete solution–there’s a sacrifice or sin, who is Jesus, and there’s victory over death, the punishment of sin, through the resurrection. Through the resurrection, we are freed from our sins. Through the resurrection, Jesus gives us life!

What does it have to do with you?
It is one thing to read this and agree mentally with what is written. It is another to personally realize that you are a sinner in need of Jesus’ sacrifice and be reconciled with Him for all eternity. If you have not yet acknowledged your need for a Savior, now is the time. Speak to the Lord plainly: admit that you are a sinner, express your desire to be cleansed from sin, and accept His sacrifice on your behalf. Thank Him for conquering death and giving you eternal life.

John 3:16–18
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.“

What’s our assurance about eternal life?
God cannot lie and He keeps His promises. So when He says He’ll give us eternal life, it means exactly that. And it is something we can receive right now. When we enter into God’s family, we stay in it forever.

Numbers 23:19
“God is not a man, that He should lie,
nor a son of man, that He should repent.
Has He said, and will He not do?
Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”

John 10:28-29
“And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.”

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!