Today is the anniversary of Jesus’ Resurrection. We commonly call it Easter, but that word can get muddled with bunnies and chocolate and bonnets and dilute the true significance of this day to the world and every single person in it. We may run home from church to hide plastic eggs and get the roast in the oven without ever giving a deep thought to the fact that the world is radically different because of Resurrection Day. 

The Resurrection of Jesus is the most important,
life-altering, radical day in the history of the world.

Our story, the story of humanity since God created the world, is a long one with a lot of chapters and heroes and villains. It began thousands of years ago with Adam and Eve, continues to this very moment with our life stories being woven in, and will include all of the future’s happenings until the end of the world. But the climax of this unfinished story — Jesus’ Resurrection — dramatically separates the first half of the story from the last.

As a result of our first parents’ disobedience, evil entered the world and death held us captives. To ransom us, God sent his only son. C.S. Lewis describes it like this: “Enemy-occupied territory — that is what this world is. Christianity is the story of how the rightful king has landed, you might say landed in disguise, and is calling us all to take part in a great campaign of sabotage.” During Jesus’ life on earth, he taught, healed, started the Church, and suffered and died for our sins, but it was his Resurrection that made all things new. He didn’t just tell us, He showed us that death does not have the last word. We have a future in Heaven and Jesus revealed how to live our lives so that we can follow Him there.

That is an explosive truth that we need to stop and meditate on. I have heard this time after the Resurrection described as the “mopping up period.” The battle has been won; Satan has been defeated! Life is still messy, but we can live confidently that our own victories and resurrections are assured when we follow Jesus.

Scripture: Read 1 Thessalonians 4:14. What stands out?

Call to Action: Pray for a deeper understanding of what the Resurrection means for your life and your loved ones who have gone before you.