What is the meaning of Easter?

Answer

Easter is the yearly celebration of Christ’s resurrection to life after His crucifixion and death. This day is also known as Resurrection Sunday. The term Easter is linked to the word east, which naturally directs us to the sunrise, to new days, and new beginnings.

For some, Easter is devoid of all but the secular significance. For them, Easter is a time to color eggs, hide them, and send children in search of them. It’s a moment to recount the tale of the Easter bunny and hint at his ongoing adventures. It’s a time of giving candy, capturing moments, enjoying Peeps, and feasting around the family table. It’s a day to signify the beginning of spring and celebrate the renewal of nature and the greening of the grass. Such Easter customs, if they do not go beyond this, are a faint and feeble reflection of the true significance of Easter; they are as empty as a plastic egg, as hollow as a chocolate Easter bunny.

Easter is a Christian holiday, and Christian festivities concentrate on the genuine meaning of Easter: the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Two thousand years ago, a man was crucified, buried, and three days later rose to life once more. This reality—that a deceased man came back to life and lives eternally—is why we commemorate Easter. The essence of Easter is that the Son of God paid the price for our sins and rose again to reconcile us to God (see Romans 4:25).

Easter signifies that our most formidable foe, death, has been defeated. Easter signifies that our sins are pardoned, and we are made righteous before God. Easter signifies that Christ is truly the King and Victor, seated “far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked” «far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion,and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: », (Ephesians 1:21). The significance of Easter is that Jesus is the Lord of new beginnings, new days, and new lives.

Easter signifies that the incomprehensibly great power of God was fully displayed at the Garden Tomb where Christ lay. That same great power that raised Christ from the dead now operates in us who believe «and what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, », (Ephesians 1:19). The significance of Easter is that God can move mountains, part seas, restore life, and roll the stone away.

Easter signifies that the poor in spirit will inherit the kingdom of heaven, the mourners will receive comfort, the meek will possess the earth, the seekers of righteousness will be satisfied, the merciful will obtain mercy, and the pure in heart will see God (see Matthew 5:3-8). The significance of Easter is that the promises of God are fulfilled in Christ.

Easter signifies that we can proclaim good news to the poor, freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind. We can set the oppressed free and announce the year of the Lord’s favor (see Luke 4:18-19). The significance of Easter is that the gospel—God’s Emancipation Proclamation—is to be proclaimed far and wide. Good news is meant to be shared.

Easter signifies that love is more powerful than death. Love “burns like a blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away” (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). It was out of love that God gave His only Son «For God so loved the wo

It was for love of the world that God gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. , (John 3:16); out of love, Christ died on the cross «Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. », (John 15:13). It is through love that the resurrected Lord intercedes for His children «Who is he that condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. », (Romans 8:34). Easter is filled with love.

Easter signifies there is hope for us, indeed. As Jesus stated, “Because I live, you will live also” «Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you see me: because I live, you will live also. », (John 14:19).