I have a sweet friend who used to teach kindergarten. She told me about a discussion some of her students once had about Easter. She said one particular little girl told the others, “It’s just so sad that Jesus has to die every year.” I laughed when I heard this story. The innocence of children always makes me smile.
Obviously, the little girl was a little confused on why we celebrate Easter. But I love the words of the Apostle Paul in First Corinthians: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes” (11:26).
This of course is speaking of taking communion. But it’s the last part of the scripture I love the most. I remember meditating on it one time and thinking to myself, it seems so sad to “proclaim His death” all the time. The Holy Spirit answered my thoughts and said to me, “His death is your life.”
Yes! This is why we are told to proclaim it often! It’s not the actual death of Jesus we are to celebrate– but the fact that through His death (and resurrection) we have been saved and given eternal life.
Easter is the Christian’s celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection because (contrary to the sweet little girl’s wrong assumption) Jesus only died once. And we celebrate the fact that He conquered death, hell, and the grave for all who will believe in Him. Death is definitely a part of this natural life, but for the believer, death is not the end. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death” (Revelation 1:17-18).
There’s a song by Bill and Gloria Gaither that says, “Because He lives, I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone; Because I know He holds the future, and life is worth the living, Just because He lives!”
So I hope you’ll remember today and always: His death is your life.
Because Jesus died, we can face tomorrow. Because He rose again, all fear is gone. Because we know He loves us and holds our future, our life is worth the living– just because HE LIVES!
