We should learn from the sacrifice of Jesus
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 and random acts of violence, we are far removed from the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for each and every one of us.
Over the last year, this nation has endured hardships that haven’t been felt in this country for decades. The misery continues almost on a daily basis in the Middle East where suicide bombers are bent at killing themselves and taking others with them.
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. Christ’s life is our greatest example in a world filled with so much negativity. Thank you Jesus, the Son of God, for your sacrifice and your example.
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.
These witnesses to the resurrection continue even today through their testimony of belief. Their faith conveys the message of what sacrifice and goodness means for the soul after death.
Thanks to the example of firm believers and their unwavering faith, Christianity has grown despite harsh persecution and rejection. 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. Thus Easter becomes more than the childhood delights of bright-colored eggs or furry-tailed bunny rabbits. 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. May we seek its full power to transform, reconcile and make whole our community and our world.