The Easter promise. It’s more than chocolate candy bunnies, Easter egg hunts, and Sunday church in dress up clothes. Easter presents a promise through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Easter promise. Jesus presents an open invitation.
Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise. (ESV, Luke 23:43)
Two thieves were crucified on either side of Jesus Christ. One rejected him. Mocked him. And challenged Jesus to save himself and them. Had Jesus complied would the man have called him the Son of God? Hard to say for sure, but doubtful. Pride is one of the hardest barriers to break through. And the man showed no remorse.
However, the second thief rebuke the first thief, confessed his own sin, and appealed to Jesus with a contrite heart.
Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward of our deeds; but this man has done nothing wrong. And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” (ESV, Luke 23:40-42)
The exchange illustrates an important truth. We all either reject Jesus, or accept him as Savior and Lord. And the good news? It doesn’t matter who you are, what you’ve done, or how unworthy you consider yourself. In fact, acknowleding our unworthiness is a critical part of following Jesus. Furthermore, it involves personal recognition of our sin. We deserve death. But Jesus offers grace.
The promise of Easter is the offer of eternal life through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection. Not for us to change, but to be changed by the transforming power of his Holy Spirit.
The Easter promise. Jesus did what we can’t.
When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (ESV, John 19:30)
The brutal torture of Jesus. His death on a cross. And resurrection three days later was all part of God’s plan. It fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah. And Jesus’ final declaration before he died is one of victory. Confirming what he said about the Jewish law.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. (ESV, Matthew 5:17)
Only Jesus could accomplish this. Why? Because he was without sin. An unblemished sacrifice. And perfect fulfillment of the law.
But the complete victory was finalized at the resurrection. So that Jesus not only defeated sin, but conquered death. And by placing our faith in him, we defeat the power of sin and also conquer death.
Why does this matter?
Because we can’t save ourselves. Our good works are not enough. No matter how much good we do, our sin disqualifies us. But the saving work of Jesus fulfills all of God’s requirements. And we’re saved by trusting in and following Jesus.
The Easter promise. Jesus offers an everlasting hope.
Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (ESV, Ephesians 1:18)
Where do you find hope?
A career? Politics? Money? Power?
None of these is inherently bad. But none are fully satisfying. And all are temporal and quickly change. The Easter promise, however, offers an everlasting hope. Because God alone never changes. His word is true and completely trustworthy.
Furthermore, Jesus is the path to that eternal life.
I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the father except by me. (ESV, John 14:6)
The empty tomb seals our pardon for sin. Jesus offers forgiveness for our sins and God’s grace. And that secures our hope in an eternal life with him.
About Chip Tudor:
Chip Tudor is an author, blogger and professional writer. He publishes books, humorous Christian drama, and thought provoking blogs from a Christian worldview. This blog is originally published here.
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