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Easter is a very important day to mark in the life of a Christian. More than a bank holiday weekend or an easter egg hunt for the children, we celebrate Easter as Christians to mark the death, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ. And these are remarkable moments to behold. Here we will look at the two of the key days that make up the Easter holiday and how significant they are to our faith as Christians – Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday.
Why is the day Jesus died called good?
On Good Friday we commemorate the day of the crucifixion when Jesus went up to the cross and died, taking on the sins of all mankind (1 John 2:2). This was a demonstration of God’s love for us, for while we were sinners, Christ died for us (Roman s 5:8). Good Friday is the day that the death of Jesus which was meant to be a sad thing turned out to be the greatest moment for us.
Christ died for us so that, whether we are dead or alive when he returns, we can live with him forever
1 Thessalonians 5:10
Through His death, we are saved from the consequences of our sin, which is death, (Romans 6:23) and reconciled with God through faith. When Jesus said “it is finished”, it was not the end but the conclusion of our separation from God. This is the victory we declare, of our salvation, that we are reconciled to God through the death and we are born to new life through the resurrection.
What does it mean to rise again?
Three days after Jesus declared this word in John 19:30 and breathed his last, He rose from the burial tomb, showing Himself to many witnesses and fulfilling the scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:4). Resurrection Sunday is all about how Christ rose from the dead and defeated the power of death (Romans 6:9). How we are free from sin, how it has no dominion over us, and how we are living freely under grace. The resurrection of Christ is principal to Christianity.
If Christ is not raised, our faith is futile and we are still in our sins
1 Corinthians 15:17
Mere man cannot rise from the dead. We are unable with our own willpower to resurrect ourselves from the dead but Christ, being fully God and man, has the power. The power that raised Christ from the dead dwells inside of us through faith (Romans 8:11). It takes faith to accept the truth of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Yet if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead, we will be saved (Romans 10:9).
What happens next Sunday?
While we may enjoy the break from our daily routines and the lovely weather this week, may we remember the foundation of our faith. That Christ died and was resurrected. During this beautiful week, we quieten our hearts and sit with sombre thoughts but ultimately we rejoice because death is defeated and our King is alive. He has risen!
We celebrate this Easter but every day in our life is a celebration of the finished works of Jesus Christ on the cross. Easter should be a reminder to bring us back to remembrance of Him and mark the momentous moment that changed our present and future but it shouldn’t be different from every other Sunday/ Easter. Each Sunday we can remember what was done on the cross and our freedom in Christ.