Meaning of Easter

Intro: The word Easter means different things to different people. To a child it means Easter eggs and candy. To others it's just another holiday. To some it means buying expensive clothes. To some it's a family gathering with barbecue, and drinking. But none of these things capture the real meaning of Easter as described in the bible.

1. Easter means the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

Matthew 28:1-8 (NKJV) ¹  Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. ²  And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. ³  His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. ⁴  And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. ⁵  But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. ⁶  He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. ⁷  And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you." ⁸  So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.  a. Three days after His crucifixion Jesus was resurrected from the dead and He ascended to the Father. By His death and resurrection Jesus paved the way for us to have eternal life. Paul said in; 1 Corinthians 15:20-22 (NKJV) ²⁰  But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹  For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. ²²  For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
2. Easter means our sins have been forgiven. 

1 John 1:8-9 (NKJV) ⁸  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

a. When we confess our sinfulness and asked for forgiveness, verse 9 says we are forgiven and cleansed because of Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sin.

1 John 2:12b (NKJV) All true Christians have in common the fact that their sins are forgiven because of Jesus sake and in 1 John 2:13b “we have overcome the wicked one.” So many Christians live in doubt and unbelief. They are not sure they are God's child and they are not sure all their sins have been forgiven. The devil comes and says, well if you are God's child why did you act like that and why is this bad thing happening to you? When we listen to the devil's voice and we don't believe what God says we will live a miserable life and we will never receive God's best for us. God's word is true no matter whether you believe it or not. Situations and circumstances do not change God's word. God's word says if you have confessed your sins to Jesus and asked Him to forgive you, then your sins are forever forgiven and you are victorious over the devil and the world. 1 John 5:4-5 (NKJV) 

⁴  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. ⁵  Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

3. Easter means we now belong to God's family. 1 John 2:12 (NKJV) I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name's sake.

a. God thru John calls us His “little children.” This is a term of endearment. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and we believe God the Father raised Him from the dead, at that moment we become God's children, that means we belong to the Father's forever family. John under the influence of the Holy spirit writes to God's children.

1 John 3:1-2 (NKJV) ¹  Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. ²  Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

This verse doesn't say we are going to be His children in the sweet by and by, but we are now God's children. When God says you are His child, don't you ever doubt it when The devil comes and tries to get you to doubt God's word just like he did Eve. Jesus death and resurrection brought us into the family of God and no one can take us out of His family. One day when He is revealed we will be like Him & we will see Him as He is.

Conclusion: This is the true meaning of Easter! All the worldly celebrations have no biblical foundation. May we be thankful for our salvation and never forget the true meaning of Easter. We need to be thankful to Jesus for what He has done for us.

Invitation: Have you taken advantage of Jesus' death on the cross as payment for your sins? He was resurrected from the dead to give you eternal life? When you confess your sins to Jesus and ask for His forgiveness, He will give you eternal life. Because He lives, those who believe in Him shall also live forever. If you have not followed Jesus in believers baptism, do it as soon as possible.