THE EASTER SEASON

THE SEASON OF EASTER Understanding the Cross, the Resurrection, and the Power of New Life By UMOH EDEM PREFACE Easter is one of the most significant seasons in the Christian faith. It is more than a holiday, a religious tradition, a time of special church services, or a period when Christians remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is the announcement that death did not have the final word. It is the story of God's love demonstrated through sacrifice, Christ's victory accomplished through the cross, and humanity's hope revealed through the empty tomb. The Apostle Paul declared: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." — Romans 5:8 (KJV) The Easter story begins with a problem: humanity was separated from God because of sin. But it does not end with the grave. God provided a way of redemption through Jesus Christ. The cross reminds us of the price of sin. The blood reminds us of redemption. The grave reminds us that Christ truly died. The empty tomb reminds us that death was defeated. The resurrection reminds us that new life is possible. This book has been written to help believers, seekers, families, young people, and students of Scripture understand the deeper meaning of the Easter season. My prayer is that these pages will move Easter from being merely a yearly celebration to becoming a daily revelation. May you see the cross differently. May you understand the resurrection more deeply. May you discover the hope that is found in Christ. And above all, may Easter lead you into a closer relationship with the risen Lord Jesus Christ. INTRODUCTION WHY DOES EASTER MATTER? Every year, Christians around the world gather to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Churches organize special services. Families gather together. Songs about the cross and resurrection are sung. Sermons are preached. People reflect on the sacrifice of Christ. But there is an important question we must ask: What does Easter really mean to us? If Easter only produces new clothes, special meals, church programs, and social

The Witnesses of the Risen Christ Living the Resurrection Life The Easter Commission: Go and Tell Conclusion: Easter Every Day About the Author CHAPTER ONE THE MEANING AND SEASON OF EASTER Understanding What Easter Really Means Easter is one of the most important seasons in the Christian faith. For many people, Easter means new clothes, special church services, family gatherings, food, travel, holidays, Easter decorations, and celebrations. For others, it is simply another date on the calendar. But for the believer, Easter carries a much deeper meaning. Easter is the season in which we remember the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is the season that takes us to the heart of the Gospel. It reminds us of where humanity was, what God did through Christ, and what became possible because Jesus rose from the dead. The Apostle Paul summarized the Gospel in these words: "For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures." — 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV) These verses contain the central message of Easter: Christ died. Christ was buried. Christ rose again. That is the Gospel. 1. EASTER IS ABOUT JESUS CHRIST The first and most important thing we must understand is that Easter is about Jesus. It is possible to celebrate Easter and miss Christ. A person can attend an Easter service, wear beautiful clothes, take photographs, eat special meals, post Easter messages online, and still fail to understand the meaning of the season. The centre of Easter is not the clothing. It is not the decoration. It is not the celebration.

It is not even the Easter programme. The centre of Easter is Jesus Christ. Paul wrote: "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified." — 1 Corinthians 2:2 (KJV) The Christian faith is built around a Person. His name is Jesus. He is the Son of God. He is the Saviour of the world. He is the Lamb of God. He is the Messiah. He is the King of kings. He is the Lord of lords. And He is the risen Christ. Therefore, whenever Easter comes, our attention must return to Jesus. We should ask: Who is Jesus to me? Not merely: "What am I doing for Easter?" But: "What has Jesus done for me, and how am I responding to Him?" 2. EASTER REVEALS THE LOVE OF GOD One of the greatest messages of Easter is the love of God. John 3:16 says: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son..." Notice that God's love was demonstrated through giving. God did not merely say that He loved humanity. He demonstrated His love. Romans 5:8 says: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." This is astonishing. Christ did not wait until humanity became perfect before He came.

He came while we were sinners. He did not die because we had earned salvation. He died because God loved us. This means the cross is God's love written in blood. The cross tells the sinner: "You are not beyond the reach of God's mercy." It tells the broken: "God has not abandoned you." It tells the guilty: "Forgiveness is available through Christ." It tells the hopeless: "There is still hope." 3. EASTER REVEALS THE SERIOUSNESS OF SIN We cannot properly understand Easter without understanding sin. Sin is not a small problem. Sin separates humanity from God. Romans 3:23 says: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." Every human being has a sin problem. Education cannot solve it. Money cannot solve it. Political power cannot solve it. Technology cannot solve it. Good intentions cannot solve it. Religious appearance cannot solve it. Only Christ can provide the ultimate solution. The seriousness of sin is demonstrated by the price that was paid for redemption. Jesus had to go to the cross. He was mocked. He was beaten. He was wounded.

He was crucified. He died. Why? Because sin is serious. Isaiah prophesied: "But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities..." — Isaiah 53:5 (KJV) The cross therefore prevents us from treating sin casually. When we look at Calvary, we should understand that sin destroys, but Christ saves. 4. EASTER IS ABOUT SACRIFICE The Easter story is a story of sacrifice. Jesus willingly gave Himself. He said: "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." — John 10:11 (KJV) Jesus was the Good Shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. He could have avoided the cross. He could have called for heavenly intervention. Yet He submitted Himself to the Father's will. Matthew 26:53 records Jesus saying: "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" Jesus had power to escape. But He chose obedience. That makes the cross even more powerful. Jesus was not a helpless victim. He was a willing sacrifice. His death was voluntary. His sacrifice was purposeful. His suffering was redemptive. 5. EASTER IS CONNECTED TO THE PASSOVER To understand the Easter story more deeply, we should understand the biblical background of Passover. In Exodus 12, God instructed the Israelites to take a lamb and apply its blood to the doorposts of their houses.

God said: "And when I see the blood, I will pass over you." — Exodus 12:13 (KJV) The blood of the lamb became a sign of protection. This event became known as the Passover. Centuries later, John the Baptist saw Jesus and declared: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world." — John 1:29 (KJV) This was a profound declaration. Jesus was the greater Passover Lamb. The Old Testament Passover pointed forward to the redemptive work of Christ. Paul explicitly connects Christ with Passover: "For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us." — 1 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) This helps us understand why Easter is so significant. Jesus did not merely die. He died as the sacrificial Lamb who brings redemption. 6. EASTER IS ABOUT THE CROSS The cross is central to Easter. Before the resurrection came crucifixion. Before the crown came the cross. Before the victory came the suffering. Before the empty tomb came the sealed tomb. The cross represents the place where Christ bore the penalty of sin. Paul wrote: "Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree..." — 1 Peter 2:24 (KJV) The cross therefore calls us to humility. We cannot boast about our righteousness. We cannot claim that we saved ourselves. Salvation is a gift of grace. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith... Not of works, lest any man should boast." When we understand the cross, pride loses its foundation.

We begin to say: "Lord, I am saved because of Your grace." 7. EASTER IS ABOUT THE GRAVE Jesus was not only crucified. He was buried. The burial confirms the reality of His death. Joseph of Arimathaea took His body and placed it in a tomb. The tomb was secured. A stone was placed at its entrance. From the perspective of the disciples, everything seemed finished. Their Master was dead. Their dreams appeared to have collapsed. Their hopes seemed buried. But God was not finished. This gives us a powerful spiritual lesson: What looks like an ending to you may be a transition into something God is preparing. The tomb looked like defeat. But it became the location from which resurrection was announced. There are seasons in life when we see only the tomb. We see what has died. We see what has failed. We see what has been lost. But God sees what is coming next. 8. EASTER IS ABOUT THE EMPTY TOMB The most powerful announcement of Easter is: "He is not here: for he is risen, as he said." — Matthew 28:6 (KJV) The tomb was empty. Jesus had risen. The resurrection changed everything. The disciples had been frightened. Now they became witnesses. They had been discouraged.

Now they became courageous. They had seen Jesus die. Now they had encountered Him alive. The resurrection transformed their understanding. THE EMPTY TOMB DECLARES: Death is not the end. The grave does not have the final word. God's promises cannot be defeated by circumstances. Jesus Christ is alive. This is why Easter is a season of hope. 9. EASTER IS A SEASON OF HOPE One of the greatest needs in our generation is hope. People are facing economic pressure. Families are experiencing difficulties. Young people are struggling with identity and purpose. Many people are carrying disappointment. Some are grieving. Some are waiting for answers to prayers. Some feel forgotten. The Easter message speaks directly to them. Jesus is alive. If God could raise Jesus from the dead, then your situation is not beyond His power. This does not mean that God will answer every prayer exactly as we desire. But it means that God remains sovereign and faithful. Peter described the believer's hope as: "A lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." — 1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) Christian hope is not wishful thinking. It is anchored in the resurrection. 10. EASTER IS A SEASON OF NEW BEGINNINGS The resurrection teaches us about new beginnings. Jesus came out of the tomb.

The disciples received a new assignment. Peter received restoration. The early Church received power and purpose. The resurrection therefore reminds us that God can bring new life. Perhaps you have experienced failure. Perhaps you have made serious mistakes. Perhaps a relationship has ended. Perhaps an opportunity has disappeared. Perhaps you have lost confidence. Perhaps your prayer life has become weak. Easter reminds you: Failure does not have to be final. When Christ is involved, restoration is possible. Paul wrote: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) The resurrection is God's declaration that new life is possible. 11. EASTER IS A CALL TO REPENTANCE Easter is joyful, but it is also serious. The cross calls us to examine our lives. If Jesus died for…