Easter

By: Warren Fish, CFP®

According to the wisdom one gathers from the television advertising world, there is this rabbit that clucks then lays a perfectly formed chocolate egg with a cream filling. Of course, there are other rabbits that lay wonderfully colored hardboiled eggs and then deliver them on Easter morning to boys and girls everywhere. Due to technological advances in diet, these same rabbits now lay plastic eggs with candy inside. Also, we have Santa Claus and the Great Pumpkin that bring gifts to boys and girls who believe. Then, we have the resurrection of Jesus.

For some, the resurrection of Jesus belongs in the same category as the myths noted. The major differences though are two: first, the Resurrection really happened, and secondly, that fact requires a decision. The Resurrection was the focal point of early Christians for nearly 400 years. The cross being the center was introduced in centuries following the beginning of the church. The greeting among 1st century Christians was: “He is risen.” That was the first official creed of the early church.

Accepting that the resurrection of Jesus really happened confronts us with the question as to what will we do with it? What impact should it, or does it, have on our lives? Since Jesus is the Lord over death, does that entitle him to be Lord over life? Paul, in his letters to the churches, spells out clearly that Jesus is the Lord of life and death. He bought us at Calvary and paid the penalty for sin. Rising from the dead destroyed the last hold sin has on us, that being death. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:3, “Christ died for our sins just as the Scriptures said. He was buried, and he was raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said…” Later in the same chapter, Paul affirms that if Christ is not raised from the dead, our faith and preaching, our believing, is foolish.

God has established the authority of Christ and the decision for all is whether or not to accept that authority, and to accept it in all areas of life. If we do accept it, Paul says in Romans 10:9-10 that “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. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.” Easter bunnies, the Great Pumpkin, and Santa Claus are fun; the Resurrection of Jesus is life changing!