“He Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,
that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
By His wounds you have been healed.”
~1 Peter 2:24

The death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Christian faith. That life can arise miraculously from darkness and death brings great hope. As spring and “new life” emerge, God’s expression can be seen everywhere. This hope that Christians share is a hope far greater than the changing of seasons.

The Resurrection is the central event that distinguishes Christianity from all other faiths. Only God Himself, through His sacrifice on the cross, could redeem man from sin, fulfilling the requirements of the Law. Only God Himself could rise from the dead, returning to deliver to His followers the freedom He had paid to secure.

Outside of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, we know of no other hope for mankind.  That is exactly what German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer once said to Billy Graham: “Mr. Graham, outside of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I know of no other hope for mankind.” But as we know all too well, not all Americans share this belief.

The fall of Adam and Eve left this world a harsh place and gave birth to this world’s moral and fiscal poverty. The suffering caused by a pandemic like COVID-19 and was exacerbated by power-hungry political “leaders” reminds us that brokenness is everywhere. Indeed, Christ didn’t die on the cross for a world that didn’t need Him. He died for one that did and does need Him. Every one of us desperately needs a Savior.

That’s where the Resurrection of Christ brings the greatest hope. Our ultimate hope is not in public policy or in political leaders, though we must always strive to elect godly statesmen who don’t seek self-gain and pray for their time in office. Our hope is not in political solutions, though we must be good stewards of God’s amazing gift of self-government and advocate for biblical principles in the public square. Our hope is in the renewal that one day “the government will be upon His shoulders” as promised. Our future and our political freedoms are vitally important, yet we do well to remember that our ultimate (eternal) hope is in Jesus Christ and what He did on Good Friday and Easter morning. For that we should be truly thankful. And in hope, we look forward to the day when all things are made new.

“… the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid,
for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.
He is not here, for He has risen…”
~Matthew 28

So the grandest of all Christian celebrations is upon us. This year, Friday April 7th is Good Friday. Sunday April 9th is Easter. Or Resurrection Day as some prefer to call it.

The two dates vary from year to year. Why? It’s, well, complicated. Why do these two occasions give us the grandest of our faith celebrations as Christ followers? Because we get to color Easter eggs? Uh…wrong answer.

Let’s try to figure this out. The Bible has a very clear account of what took place on what we call Good Friday. I assume you know the story. Let’s check.

Jesus was crucified in a most cruel fashion on a cross on Good Friday because…

• A. He was a known criminal like the other two who were on crosses.
• B. He refused to heal animals as well as people.
• C. He claimed to be the son of God.

I hope you answered “C.” But the answer is incomplete! This next question clears it up.

Jesus willingly gave up His life to be crucified in order that…

• A. People would be convinced He was a tough guy.
• B. He would prove to His followers that the Romans could not break Him.
• C. An ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin would be paid once and for all.

Again, “C” should be your right answer.

Yes, BUT…why was the Resurrection so important?

• A. It showed you can’t keep a good man down.
• B.  It revealed Jesus had mastered survival techniques.
• C. It proved that Jesus had authority to conquer even death!

Let’s go with “C.”

How marvelous are these truths? It’s impossible to calculate their worth. God’s love is so rich, so amazing, that the Apostle Paul writes: ”…And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph. 3:17-19, ESV)

Here’s a fourth question. If you asked your children why we honor Good Friday and Easter, what answers would they give?

Christmas and Easter events are rightfully the two most significant occasions each year on our calendars. And the two most distorted! Cultural traditions have so thoroughly blurred the distinctiveness of the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ that the truths of the Gospel story take a back seat to Santa and the Easter Bunny.

As in years past, a number of articles have surfaced about how to deal with this radical shift from truth. One column I noticed this year is titled, “What Do I Tell My Kids About the Easter Bunny?” The writer claims that symbols used to celebrate our Christian holidays “come from pagan roots rather than Christian traditions (and predate Christianity).”

This writer, Michelle S. Lazurek, explains why the date of Easter changes. And then we get an everlasting gobstopper right in our face: “Christian parents who celebrate the Easter Bunny are no different than those who celebrate Christmas by putting up a Christmas tree.” I personally find that easy to dispute.

There certainly are historical references to the use of evergreen boughs in pagan celebrations, But as even the History Channel notes, “Germany is credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes.” I don’t recall the Germans welcoming the arrival of the Easter Bunny.

Ms. Kazurek’s solution is as one might commonly hear: “…Christians should always listen to their conscience. If they feel they are dishonoring Christ by celebrating the Easter Bunny or having an Easter basket, they should refrain from doing so.”

Is that the answer? I can’t say definitively. But I’m rather confident that the more Christian parents blur the true meaning of Christmas and RESURRECTION day, the less convincing we are in advocating the truths we treasure most. Or should.

Santa stories may bring hope. But it’s the hope for more stuff for us. The Easter Bunny may bring hope. But it’s the hope of finding the most eggs. Jesus Christ brings authentic life-giving hope. I’m putting all my eggs into His basket.