Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is the celebration of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead. It is the day that sets Biblical Christianity apart from all other world religions. Though we proclaim the life, death and resurrection of Christ every day, it is a special day set aside each year to focus on and celebrate the divine miracle of Christ's resurrection from the dead and eternal salvation of those who believe upon Him.

 

Jesus is the eternal Son of God. In His incarnation as Jesus Christ, He was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. (The Christmas season is when Christ-followers celebrate the miracle of Jesus's birth, as told in Luke 2.)

 

He perfectly upheld the Law of the Old Testament by His personal obedience. He took on human nature and identified Himself completely with mankind, yet He never sinned even once.

 

In God's timing, by God's authority, and to fulfill the prophecies in Scripture, Jesus was handed over to the authorities, tried in court and sentenced to death on a cross. (Good Friday is the day Christ-followers solemnly remember the death of Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins.) Matthew 26-28 details the plot to kill Jesus, His arrest, trial, death, burial and resurrection.

 

Sin separates us from God, but Jesus's death on the cross paid the price for the sins of all mankind, reconciling us to God. Without His sacrifice, we would be separated from God for eternity. Romans 3:23-24 and Romans 6:23 explain this. 

 

On the third day, God raised Jesus from the dead, fulfilling prophecy and ensuring that we have a RISEN, LIVING Savior. This is why we commemorate Easter or Resurrection Sunday! 

 

After the resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples and hundreds of others and later ascended into heaven, as described in Luke 24. He is now seated at the right hand of God and dwells in all believers as the living and ever-present Savior.