As a child growing up, one of the first events in church you usually learn about is Easter. The death and resurrection of Christ. One of the most poignant parts of the Bible, and is the foundation of Christianity as we know it.
The most know scripture is John 3:16. It tells us that God gave his only son, so that we can be forgiven and life forever. Could you give your only child to save others? What a sacrifice to have to make!
John 3:16
(16)”For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
These scriptures have impacted me as an adult. Through illness, through times of trials and suffering, through the loss of my own father. I look to these scriptures for hope. For hope of eternal life, and seeing those we love again.
I hope the scriptures I’ve chosen impact you on some level. Take the time to really read the words and try and think how great God really is.
The first tells of his promise to return and it’s found in the the book of John.
John 2:19
(19) Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
This verse has always given me hope! It has encouraged me on hard days to keep pushing and believe.Christ knew his fate, and yet knew better things were yet to come!
My second favorite is found in Luke.
Luke 24:46-47
(46) and (Jesus) said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, (47) and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.”
The hope of eternal life through repentance. Confess your sins and be forgiven! Easter is about celebrating this fact. Christ died for our sins, and through him we have hope for forgiveness and eternal life.
There are so many other great scriptures that relate to Easter it has been hard for me to pick my favorites. I have a few more that I really believe have impacted me over the years and have helped me to develop a deeper understanding of Easter.
Acts 13:30-31
(30) But God raised him from the dead, (31) and for many days he appeared to those who had come up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.
Acts 2:23-24
(23) this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. (24) God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.
Luke 24:23
(23) and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive.
Easter is meant to be a testimony to the story of Christ’s resurrection. As children, we are taught the story but never fully realize what an amazing story it is until we are adults. Someone who died for us, for our sins. We owe Christ so much, and yet we continue to ask for more. This year, take the time to remember exactly why Christ died on the cross, and how we can better serve Him. That will truly make it an Easter to remember.
