Easter is a time for decorated eggs and candy. By now, the Easter Bunny’s work is done. I’ll participate in those things, including seeing two precious little kids who call me “Grandpa Lee” and talking to my daughter.
But Easter also reminds us of the greatest truth of the Gospel, as described in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.”
By the way, please note that verse one says the gospel, not any gospel. To my knowledge, it is the only reference in the Bible to the gospel prefaced with the word “the.” I find it significant.
Through His death on the cross, Jesus bore the weight of all our sins, offering us forgiveness and redemption. His burial proves that He truly died, taking upon Himself the judgment we deserved. His resurrection promises eternal life for all who believe and accept the gift of salvation.
This is the Gospel, the good news we must believe to receive this gift of grace. It’s not about earning salvation through works but trusting in the finished work of Jesus. His blood washed away our sins, His death restored our relationship with God, and His resurrection assured us of victory over death and life everlasting.
As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” So again, Salvation is not something we can earn through good deeds but is a free gift from God, made possible by Christ’s perfect sacrifice. It doesn’t mean good works won’t flow from it. I wrote previously about it James 2:17: “So too, faith by itself, if it does not produce works, is dead.”
Easter is more than a day; it’s the celebration of hope, renewal, and God’s unmatched love.