What is Easter?

     On one prior Easter Sunday, while my family and I were on our way to church, I asked my grandchildren, “Do you know what we are celebrating today?”  The response was, of course, “Easter.”  I then proceeded to exclaim that we were actually celebrating the two most important events in the history of mankind - the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

     Also riding in the car was a non-Christian from whom I immediately heard a low huff - not sure if it was from skepticism or surprise.  Yet, this would be the typical response to my statement from most any secular person.  The problem is, very few have actually studied the Bible.  Even though it is without a doubt the most widely distributed book of all time, its covers are left unopened.  Its words are left unread.  Therefore, this leaves most people ignorant of the historical facts regarding Jesus Christ.  It leaves them without knowledge of the prophets who, hundreds of years prior, wrote with accuracy approximately 300 prophecies regarding the coming Messiah and how these all pointed to Jesus Christ's first coming as well as His death; atonement for sin; and resurrection.   

     The Bible is without a doubt the most accurate and detailed historical document of all time.  Archaeology and even the works of other secular historians, past and present, for thousands of years have corroborated its accuracy and authenticity.  Yet, is it taught in our school's history classes?  Of course not.  The Bible is also the most accurate prophetic book of all time.  Its historical record spans the complete timeline of our earth from the beginning of creation to the eventual destruction of our planet.  More than a quarter of its writings are prophetic in nature and all have been 100% accurate in their fulfillment.  Those yet remaining relate directly to our very own future and with the Bible’s track record of perfection, how can these be ignored?  Yet, they are - with open mockery. 

     These 300 prophecies, many of which were written hundreds to a couple thousand of years before Jesus was even born, were in regard to His first coming and why He chose to come as He did.  Yet, even when as He was literally fulfilling those prophecies right before man's very eyes, most did not recognize Him for who He was.  He was ultimately beaten beyond recognition and murdered by crucifixion.  Yet, that was in fact an actual fulfilled prophecy in and of itself.   

     Scholars and even secular scientists admit that it would have been statistically impossible for Jesus to have accurately fulfilled even a few of these prophecies in His lifetime.   Yet, He actually fulfilled all of them - 300 or more.  There are also hundreds of prophecies describing His second return, which is yet to come, and the events surrounding that period of time.   

     Given the evidence of the accuracy of the Bible, is the world then not simply awestruck with wonder and excitement, clamoring to read its contents with great enthusiasm?  Is Jesus not being worshiped by all peoples and nations?  Is not every person in the world preparing for His return by seeking Him and striving to live their lives in such a manner that is pleasing to Him?  Has all of mankind not repented and turned from sin in anticipation of His return?  No, they are not.  Why?  One reason: The Bible, God's Word, is ignored as fiction and fantasy merely because it is not read and studied as it instructs people to do.  The most exposure an average person gets of His Words comes from television or movies that include verses here and there to support their mostly demonic plots - vastly taking the scriptures out of their original contexts with their meanings twisted and mangled.   

     Why is the Bible so important?  It is literally the inspired living Word of God and in order to know God, you must read it.  For instance, if you desire to deeply know a person, you listen to their words.  To know God, you must read what He is saying - in the Bible.  When a heart is truly open to hear Him, to accept Him, He will literally begin to open up your understanding of the scriptures.  No more will it be fantasy but truth that is plainly seen.  Jesus’ life, death and resurrection will unfold in beautiful clarity for all who seek Him; who wholeheartedly repent and turn away from what God calls sin; who ask for forgiveness and embrace Him as their Lord and Savior. 

     The rest of mankind, though, will continue to live lawlessly in blind willful ignorance of the truth of God’s Word.  Why?  If the Bible is true and accurate, then there would be a need to change.  People would know that they will eventually be accountable for breaking the Laws of God.  They would understand that they will be condemned in the end for their sins.  Yet, in this present life, there is pleasure in sin.  The Bible states that fact and because of this, people will continue to turn a blind eye to the scriptures.  “If I don’t know the law and the consequences then I can’t be held accountable for unknowingly breaking these laws.”   

     God’s Laws are, whether we admit it or not, written upon our hearts.  Our very own consciences have convicted all of us at some point or another when we have lied; when we have stolen; when we have committed adultery - even at the heart level; when we have hated which is equivalent to murder; or when we have blasphemed His very name, etc.  We have all broken the laws of God.  We have all been, at one time or another, on the list of the condemned who are awaiting judgment with the fiery lake of Hell as our sentence.  Will our plea of ignorance be sufficient when we stand before that White Throne with God sitting there upon it as Judge? Absolutely not.   

     God knew, even before our creation, that many would perish in their sins all the while rejecting Him for the pleasures of sinful living.  Even though He knew He would one day sit in judgment over a terrified sea of sinners, His great love for mankind set in motion an unprecedented series of events that spanned thousands of years.  It all led up to and culminated in the death of God Himself - the Son, Jesus Christ.  The fact is, all of mankind is guilty of sin with absolutely no way of paying the price for it other than by death and Hell.  Even the very best that we can be is but filth when placed before a perfect God.  Yet, because of His great love for us, He Himself actually paid the ultimate price for our sins. 

     God sent His son Jesus to be born of a virgin; to live a completely sinless life; to teach of judgment, repentance and forgiveness; to be rejected; mocked; beaten; nailed to a tree - crucified; bearing the sins of all mankind unto death.  Why?  He loved us so much that He chose to pay our fine with His very own life.  To keep us from dying in our sins He chose to die in our places.  He chose to be nailed to that cross bearing our iniquities unto death.  Because of this, we will never need to stand before Almighty God as condemned individuals.  Instead, we will be able to walk hand in hand into Heaven having been clothed with the righteousness (rightness) of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.  Jesus bore our very own sins to the grave with Him, yet, He was not a sinner Himself.  God raised Him from the grave, defeating death and Hell forever. 

     When I ask again, "What is Easter?"  Boldly proclaim that it is the celebration of the day that Jesus literally saved all of mankind, you and I, from judgment and Hell - as well as giving us a great gift in the process - life everlasting with Him in Heaven.

© 2017 G. R. Workman  

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