Everyone in the Western World has heard of Easter, and most have been taught to celebrate it in one way or another. But how many of us are truly been taught to believe in Easter?
Growing up in a Christian home, Easter was a time when I received a new dress to wear to church. There was a long sermon, which I didn’t understand, then we would go home to eat our chocolate Easter bunnies and have an Easter egg hunt. I was told that Easter was the time when we celebrated Christ’s death and resurrection, but it didn’t mean anything to me.
As I a teenager, I stopped getting new dresses for Easter. I went to church, and I might have understood the sermon, had I listened! I gave up the Easter chocolate. It was too fattening! By now the Easter story should have meant something to me. But fashion and friends meant a lot more!
In early adulthood, I went to church on Easter, but I still didn’t understand the Easter sermon. Nor did I relate to the Easter pageant. Seeing the actors—my peers—playing the part of Jesus hanging on the cross, didn’t mean anything to me. Why? Because the One who really hung on the cross was nothing more than a vague concept.
Then it all changed. I met the One. I accepted His offer of friendship and entered the most important love relationship of my life. Easter suddenly came alive. The dull Easter sermons became filled with new meaning, new hope. The Reason for Easter spoke out to me from the Easter pageants: I did this, for you! I was humbled. I was broken! I accepted His gift of the cross and I was saved!
But there was still so much more meaning to Easter—meaning that I still had to learn. Is. 53:5 sums it up well: “But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed!”
Just what does this “healing” encompass? Spiritual healing, yes! “. . . Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” (Rom 5:11) We were made right with God! But oh, so much more! “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ . . .” (Col 2:9-11)
What does this “fullness” mean?
It means the Source of compassion and patience, humility, kindness, and faith—everything we need to live a godly life—resides within! All we have to do is “put it on” (Col. 3:12)! It also means healing—physical, mental and emotional healing (Matt. 8:16-17)!
Would you like to live a godly, faith-filled, worry-free life? Would you like to receive God’s healing? Then believe in the Fullness of Easter! Accept the One who made it possible, and you “put on” everything you need!
In His love,
Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Moderator, The Nugget, Scriptural Nuggets ( www.scripturalnuggets.org ), Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org