Easter: What it Means from a Religious Standpoint

Its just a few days until Easter 2009, a time for rejoicing, of kids waking up expecting to find those goody filled baskets the Easter bunny has left out for them, filled with candy, chocolate bunnies, and tons of brightly colored eggs, dyed in various shades of red, blue, orange and purple. A day of egg hunts, parties and families gorging themselves on ham, and other Easter favorites. But do we ever stop and think about what Easter's really all about? To those of us who believe, Easter has a much deeper meaning. It's a day of worship and a day to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. Easter is the day of salvation for the whole world. Christ, who was crucified for the sins of the world, has arisen! He has returned and promises us, that, through his death, we shall live! 'Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, I shall give you rest.' He also promises that all who come unto him, he will in no way cast out. Jesus gave his blood to atone for our sins. His suffering on the cross and shedding his blood, he did it for all of us, so we could be saved and one day take our place beside him in heaven.

You say you don't believe in the innocent suffering for the guilty? Well you haven't opened up your eyes and looked around recently, and really looked around. The innocent suffer because of the guilty and with the guilty everyday. Just look at the old mother sitting up night after night, waiting with trembling heart, for the daughter she brought into the world to stagger home after her latest drug binge, who goes to sleep at night with tears soaking her pillow, and prayers on her lips for that beautiful daughter she loves. And the young bride, just married, tearfully waiting up for the man she loves, knowing he's in the arms of another. Who suffers more? The innocent one! Jesus gave his life on the cross for those of us who will believe, who will call on his name, we don't have to be 'good enough' to come to Christ, he loves us just the way we are, he wants us just the way we are. In truth, our efforts to clean up our lives are futile without him. Its his power alone that accomplishes the change in us, he has provided the way through his grace. He promises us eternal life if we only believe and trust in him. And Christ's atoning blood is the seal on that promise. Happy Easter everyone, thank and praise god for giving us this holiday to celebrate.