Easter simplified

The season of Easter is one of the most important observations in the Christian calendar. Around this time every year I am reminded of the time when as a child I finished a pack of 6 Easter eggs by myself and spent the next day in bed, sick. I still feel sick everytime I see those Easter eggs and I often laugh at myself for eating so many in a short space of time. I guess my ten year old mind didn’t think it through then. Throughout the years as I have grown, Easter has become more than just about Easter eggs but evolved to an understanding that at its core, Easter is a representation of God’s love, hope, renewal and redemption for us.

There’s always an ongoing debate within the body of Christ regarding the actual dates when Easter should be commemorated or if Christians should even commemorate Easter considering that it started off as a pagan holiday. Honestly, I feel that is neither here nor there and can be a distraction from our main focus which is the significance of Easter- that Jesus Christ was the ultimate sacrifice who died and rose again for our redemption- the ultimate symbol of love. Focusing on the legalistic nature of Easter puts us at risk of being dogmatic and religious to the point of obscuring the deeper meaning of Easter- love which is is the foundation of the Christian faith.

Love and forgiveness

Easter should serve as a time of reflection on a love that abounds all, a love that is sacrificial for our own redemption. Simplifying it to our day to day lives, this should serve as a reminder that no matter how much we think others have wronged us- we are mandated to forgive because we have been forgiven. Forgiveness benefits us more than the aggressor, it sets us free. When we choose to hold on to hurt we hurt ourselves even more but in forgiving, we find freedom- freedom to not be held back by the past.

Christ, in His infinite love and mercy laid down His own life so that whoever believes may be saved from the bondages of sin. Through this huge sacrifice we are not only freed from what once held us captive but we also have eternal life, not because of anything we have done but because of His Grace which He has lavished on us. It is this hope which should sustain us everyday.

If He has shown us Grace, we should also show Grace to others and by doing so we reflect the love of Christ and His power which transforms at work in us. We cannot be forgiven for our transgressions yet deny forgiveness to those who have wronged us. We cannot be loved yet fail to love others. How can we claim to love Him whom we cannot see physically yet fail to love those we see everyday?

Hope and renewal

The death and resurrection of Christ remind us that nomatter how bleak it gets, there is hope for better. In whatever circumstances, there is hope. Even in our darkest moments, we are never without hope. It is a promise that new life can rise from brokenness, and that light will always overcome the darkness. All we have to do is hold onto hope. It always amazes me how someone can emerge from complete brokenness into something beautiful.That’s the power of hope, of grace—and the true meaning of Easter.

This truth shouldn’t only end during this period, but be an integral part of our lives- to love, to hope, to forgive freely and constantly be open to transformation and renewal.