Why the Resurrection Matters to Me

Depending on your upbringing and church beliefs, the forty-sixth day after Ash Wednesday is called Easter, Resurrection Sunday, or Easter Sunday. From my earliest memory, my immediate family, like many others, chose to go with Easter. As a kid, I recall it as a joyful time of food, colorful eggs, and Easter baskets filled with toys and candy. My parents loaded my brothers and me into the car and paraded us to our grandparents’ houses. They doted on us, commented on how handsome my brothers looked, and said that I was adorable in my new dress and matching hair ribbons.

As the years went by, my parents forwent new clothes for us kids, but our house was still full of food and bright eggs. Eventually, the painted eggs were no more, and the only tradition that remained was the delectable meal. These were fond memories that I will forever hold in my memory bank; however, as I continue to mature in my faith, I know that those traditions, albeit fond, had no connection to Jesus’ resurrection.

In April, as I prepared to pray and meditate on Jesus’ sacrifice for my sins, I could not help but think about what the resurrection meant to me while navigating this sinful world.

The 21^st-century world is not for the faint of heart. It is no wonder that people often lament, “I have never seen anything like this in my lifetime before.” “What has the world come to?” They are correct; the world is new to them. But anyone who considers themselves a student of history is not surprised. The players may be different, but the sinful antics of wicked men are nothing new. 

Ecclesiastes 1:9, “That which has been is that which will be, and that which has been done is that which will be done. So there is nothing new under the sun.”  Ever since Adam disobeyed God, every generation thereafter has continued in their disobedience and have perpetrated unspeakable acts against their fellow man. We are born into sin, live in sin, and most will die in sin. God’s elect are grateful for the resurrection and what it offers: eternal life with our Heavenly Father. 

The promise of eternal life is what sustains me during the devastating news reports of unscrupulous world leaders, senseless wars, inflation, adultery, divorce, and other sins against God.  Although the news is hard to digest, I remain hopeful and joyful because I know what the ancient world and this modern world refuse to acknowledge. Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus defeated death, and He sits on the throne!

It is through Jesus’ resurrection that I am at peace in this broken world. Everyone has to stand before Him on judgment day and account for their sins. What a relief! It is not my responsibility to keep the world in line. In all transparency, I have enough on my hands to manage my own sinful nature. As a believer, I am called to repent for my sins and share the gospel. More importantly, I am called to live my life in gratitude for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

This world will pass away, and much of history will not be remembered. Take heart that the resurrection promises eternal life with Jesus, which is what matters most.

May God keep you and bless,

Tika