What Difference Does Easter Make?

This week is called Holy Week because it falls between Palm Sunday and Easter. Now… back when I was in Bible class in school, during this week we dedicated ourselves to studying the Passion of Christ. The Passion is the short final period in the life of Jesus Christ which includes:

• the triumphal entry
• cleaning out the temple
• Christ’s anointing
• the last supper
• the time in the garden
• Christ’s arrest
• the Sanhedrin trial
• trial before Pontius Pilate
• the crucifixion and death (Good Friday)
• burial of Christ
• the resurrection (Easter)

There have been a lot of movies made about this period over the years, and if you want a quick course I would suggest watching one. Depending on your movie era and genera preference you can choose from:

• King of Kings (1961)
• The Greatest Story Ever Told (1965)
• Godspell (1973)
• Jesus of Nazareth (1977)
• Gospel of John (2003)
• The Passion of Christ (2004)

So there you have Holy Week and Easter. The whole Old Testament tells us that personal holiness is not something humans can attain and now a savior has come. Christ paid the ultimate price for our restoration with God.

But I want to pause here and ask you a question. What difference does Easter make? There are two kinds of differences that I can think of: eternal differences and earthly differences.

Romans 5 tells us that through faith in Jesus Christ we are now friends of God. The biggest difference Easter makes is this eternal restoration. Our souls are safe. We can now confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. Listen to me read this amazing news in Romans chapter 5 verses 1-11 below.

https://youtu.be/atxu_6J8aVI

Now so many Christians I talk to are restored or “saved”, but stranded in this space of breaking sin’s power. Before we were restored to God, we were probably trapped in some kind of sinful behavior. Alcoholism. Drugs. Sex. Gambling. Gluttony. Etc. I say trapped because even though it might be fun, it controls thoughts, money, time and behavior. Sadly, a lot of Christians spend the rest of their days – AFTER bowing their will to Christ – trying to break the power of sinful behaviors in their lives. And the reason it makes me sad is because while these beautiful souls are saved and restored to God, the Devil has kept them from believing sin’s power is BROKEN! Listen to me read this life changing truth from Romans chapter 6 below.

https://youtu.be/lGLMA61IUNs

Sweet friends. The Devil is a liar. By the blood of Christ you are free from the chains of sin. Don’t waste that truth!!! You are now free to begin to explore life (here on earth) with the Spirit. That means God wants to watch you live out your quest to bring others to him while learning to use the special and unique qualities given to you alone. When living by the Spirit’s leading and using the talents God gave just you, you have the ability to showcase a part of God’s heart to the world around you. You have been restored my beautiful friend. Don’t still live as a slave to sin when you could be living THIS way! Listen to me read Romans chapter 8 verses 1-11 to see the earthly difference Christ’s resurrection power makes.

https://youtu.be/obeN-mK_k6Q

So I’m going to ask you again. What difference does Easter make? If the only difference is eternity (while ginormously important) you are missing an opportunity to do life with the Spirit and shine your gifts for his glory. Sin’s power has been broken. Live free and explore the dreams God has planted in your heart. Easter marks a new life we have been welcomed into. Go after it with both hands open right here on earth! You don’t have to wait for heaven to experience God. Listen to the song below to start thinking about next steps for TODAY.