In our world Christmas dominates. It’s a 1 seed. For some reason we are deeply attracted to the story of Christmas. It’s heartwarming. It has a baby and sheep. Maybe that’s why most of us agree with Ricky Bobby,
Easter on the other hand includes the crucifixion. It’s ugly and painful and it reminds us that we are broken and sinful people. We come face to face with the judgment, righteousness, and holiness of God. Easter also calls us out of ourselves into newness of life. Paul says this,
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin,once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:5-11)
When it comes to Easter, it’s more than chocolate Bunnies.
It is about those who trust in Christ being united with Jesus in his death and his resurrection. It is in this union that we are called out from the power and penalty into a new life. In this new life we are freed from guilt and shame.
Don’t miss this, the follower of Jesus is freed from guilt and shame. The person who trusts Christ in faith can look people in the eyes. She can hold her head up and live her life to God in Christ Jesus. He no longer has to live in the shadows of fear, guilt, and shame. Because of Easter the scene from the Garden of Eden is reversed. After Adam and Eve sin they hide because they know they are naked and they feel shame.
When we turn from sin and repent and trust Christ we are no longer found guilty, shame is removed, because our sinful self has been crucified with Christ and our new self has been resurrected with him. We are called into newness of life because of Easter.
Christmas is important. But Easter Sunday split time.
Today as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, remember, it’s more than chocolate bunnies.