THE SIGNIFICANCE OF EASTER

The significance of Easter is different for everyone. It may be renewal in some form, spring in all its glory, visiting church, family gatherings, a new outfit, an Easter egg hunt, or some combination of these. For me Easter takes on meaning as it relates to my being a Christian. Easter to me means I am a child of God and part of His family.

The Risen Savior

BECAUSE Jesus rose from the dead I am able to participate in God’s work of transforming me from sinner to saint. Paul put it this way. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Sin’s Price Paid-God’s Approval

WHEN Jesus rose from the dead it said God approved Jesus’ work on the cross. We heard from Jesus on the cross as He said “It is finished” after which He voluntarily gave up His life (“He bowed His head, and gave up the ghost”) (John 19:30). In His resurrection, God the Father’s approval of Jesus’ accomplishment during His crucifixion. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead “I agree” debt has been paid. “It is Finished!” It certainly would not be the same story we know today if Jesus’ death had been the end of His life then.

Indwelling of God’s Spirit

SINCE Jesus rose from the dead and ascended to God His Father in heaven, the Holy Spirit could come and take up residence in my soul (and countless others), picking up where Jesus left off. More than that, God could come to dwell in his children and work in the world through the Holy Spirit. Since before time began the triune God has been active. Now the God we know as three persons in one, works in the world from a different standpoint rather than before Jesus came to earth as a human being.  God  related to people on a personal level and through the prophets before Christ. For Jesus was unique as a human being since He was God also.

Holy Spirit Comes as Comforter

Jesus said “Nevertheless I tell you the truth: 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 righteousness, and of judgment” (John 16:7-8).

God Choose to work through His Church

Enter the church. While God can do His work with no human involvement and sometimes does, He has chosen to use people.  Paul prayed for the Ephesians. He asked “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him: The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of His calling and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power to usward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power, which He wrought in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and set Him at His own right hand in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 1:18-20).

Instrument for God’s Glory

The same God Who raised Jesus from the dead after defeating the enemy of our souls on the cross now makes that same power available to us. He does so  by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is what Easter means to me. God uses me for His glory as I yielded to Him as a servant. I then become His instrument to meet others’ needs.  Specifically, His strong and sufficient power gets the job done.

When I think about having God’s power available to me,  it helps me overcome problems.  Also it  generates a fire in me all year round. Furthermore, to be His hand picked tool, is my privilege and reward.  The focal point was Jesus’ resurrection from the dead lifted the burden of sin off my back. Because Jesus rose from the dead I too live in newness of life.

https://youtu.be/VXp6xcY5IqU

Glorious Day  Casting Crowns

Shirley Logsdon

Further reading:

SERVE To Lead

https://www.treadingwatertiljesuscomes.com/2019/01/31/serve-to-lead/