Though Jesus Christ physically walked this earth 2,000 years ago, the events surrounding his birth and his resurrection are still the two most important holidays we remember. We celebrate the birth of baby Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem each December, and in the spring, we rejoice on the day set aside to remember when he rose from the dead.
Did you catch that last part? Rose. From. The. Dead. Jesus Christ, while remaining fully God, became fully man and was put to death on a Roman cross to pay for the sins of all mankind. His lifeless body was put into a tomb and professional Roman guards stood watch. Three days later the tomb was empty, angels told those looking for Jesus’ body that he wasn’t there anymore; that he had risen just as he said!
Easter Sunday is the reason Christmas matters. That baby didn’t just grow up to say some nice things and be considered a “good teacher.” He claimed to be God, and he backed up His claim with a number of miracles, topping it off with rising from the dead! His life lived in perfect obedience to God’s righteousness was sacrificed as a blood ransom to pay for the sin into which we all were born. God’s requirement is spotless perfection, and none of us comes close, but Jesus’ righteousness is credited to our lives when we surrender to His Lordship, and we are given the right to become God’s sons and daughters.
Each Easter we remember the resurrection of Jesus Christ because it means that we are free from sin and death forever. It means that we don’t have to wonder if we’ll be “good enough” to get into heaven, and we don’t have to fear condemnation for our sin. Jesus took the full fury of God’s justice toward sin, and extends the gift of forgiveness and life to us as a free gift. Have you accepted the free gift?
Let this year be the start of true freedom in your life and your family’s. Join Crossroads Community Church on the football field at College of the Canyons on Sunday, April 8 for our Easter celebration. We’re having a free continental breakfast at 9 a.m., one big service at 10 a.m., and family Easter egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. Visit www.lifeatcrossroads.org, or call the church office at 661-775-9502 for more information.