This month is an important one for us as we mark the death of our Lord Jesus Christ. But we can’t stop there in our remembrance. Three days later, in the early hours of a Sunday morning, our Savior was resurrected.
He conquered the grave and made it possible for all who would believe in Him to experience eternal life in heaven.
What does Easter mean to you? Is it merely a day to put your best outfit and hear a good sermon? Is it a time to get together with family? Or is it an occasion for meaningful worship—something you carry within you long after the celebrations have ceased?
While our culture tends to treat holidays as a one-time deal, the Christian view is different. We may choose a particular day to celebrate the foundational events of our faith, but their reality should never elude us.
Whether you realize it or not, the truth is that we live Easter all year long. What do I mean by that? Let me answer with Paul’s words. In his letter to the Philippians, he wrote that his chief goal in life was to “know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death” and to “attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 8:10-11).
These are important words for us to consider as we approach the dark gloom of Good Friday and the brilliant light of Resurrection morning.
Paul’s chief aim in life was not only to remember the Lord’s sacrifice on the Cross and victory over Death.
Beyond celebration, His intention was to intimately know and experience day-in and day-out dying to self, and living in the power of the Holy Spirit.
In the coming weeks, I encourage you to think about your view of Jesus’ Resurrection. Prepare yourself to mark that event not just with nice clothes or church attendance, but with a life worthy of the price He paid using His own body and blood. You won’t be able to do it on your own. Turn to Christ now. He alone has the power to help you die to self and truly live.
(Min. Lois J. Brown-Grady of the Prayer Faith & Healing Ministry. Their website is . Contact her by e-mail: <info@ministerloisgrady.com>.)
