Easter?s powerful message cornerstone of Christianity

The message of Easter forms the cornerstone of Christianity, the resurrection and triumph over death of the gentle savior of mankind called Jesus Christ.

The humble savior from Nazareth lived a simple and powerful life which led to his ultimate sacrifice on that cold, wind-driven hill called Calvary. His sacrifice was about peace, hope and love. It was also about triumph for a world which, especially today, seems gravitating further toward darkness.

It often seems with senseless murders, road rage and random acts of violence, we are far removed from the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for each and every one of us.

U.S. troops continue to occupy Iraq where suicide bombers take their own lives for the sake of killing innocent people. In America, senseless murders occur daily, sometimes with gang members firing guns into crowds for no reason other than to inflict injury. Just last week, a female preacher was beaten to death in her home in rural Virginia.

This is not the loving society Jesus gave his life to save, but it is nonetheless the way the world has evolved.

We have awakened from Good Friday to the glow of Easter morning. For those of the Christian faith, the true wonder of this day lies in Almighty God?s ultimate gift to his children.

Easter is the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead. With it, Christ proved he was the Son of God and the second person of the Trinity.

In Romans 1:4-5 it says, ?Jesus Christ our Lord was shown to be the Son of God when God powerfully raised him from the dead by means of the Holy Spirit.?

The resurrection, as described in the Bible, means that just as Jesus rose from his stone grave, Christians also can receive new life after death. They can rise above sin and despair. The Easter holiday both affirms and celebrates that great belief.

According to the Bible, friends of Jesus arrived weeping at his grave only to find the stones were moved. They were astonished to find an angel standing nearby, saying that His body was no longer there and he had been raised from the dead.

In Matthew 28:1-10 it says, ?The angel said to the women, ?Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.??

Thanks to the example of firm believers and their unwavering faith, Christianity has grown despite harsh persecution and international tension. Today then becomes a feast for all witnesses to the power of the cross through the resurrection of Christ crucified.

It is the feast for all those who live ordinary lives with a profound faith. Easter is so much more than the childhood delights of brightly colored eggs or furry-tailed bunny rabbits. It?s more than candy and special dresses.

And, on this special day, throughout Warren County and the world, Christians will gather in churches to herald the spring time of new life gained through Jesus? resurrection.

The message of Easter, the great feast of redemption, asks we be drawn out of ourselves into the ever-unfolding mystery of life, death and what lies in the after world.

Among all the egg hunts and chocolate treats, let?s not forget the message of Easter and it?s place as the backbone of Christianity.