Our entire faith is anchored in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians must speak about this truth with absolute clarity. The Devil is the author of confusion, and he does everything he can to confuse people about this single event. During this time of year, many people in America get sidetracked by the Easter bunny or an egg hunt. For Christians, there should be no confusion about why we celebrate Easter. The Lord Jesus Christ lived a sinless life, bled and died for our sins on the cross, was buried in a borrowed tomb, came forth on the third day, ascended into Heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Children must be taught these truths concerning Easter.
Jesus Christ Is the Son of God
The whole world is willing to accept Jesus as a good man. In Matthew 19:16 we come to the account of the rich young ruler. This ruler asks the Lord, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Remember the answer that Christ gave, “Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” In other words, He says, are you willing to recognize that I am God? Almost anywhere in the world, you can ask, “Was the historical Jesus a good man?” and the answer will be a resounding, “Yes.” But if we probe further and ask, “Are you willing to go beyond this and recognize that He is God?” We will receive far different answers. When we are instructing children, we must conclude that Christ is God. He is co-equal, co-existent, and eternally existent with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit.
Luke 24:46 says, “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day.” This is a matter where there is no question. It “behoved Christ.” It was demanded of Christ. It had to be done. Why can’t we just accept Jesus as a good example? Why can’t we just teach our children that He was a good man who did wonderful things? Because He was more than a good man; He is God! He came to this earth, was robed in flesh, and dwelt among us. He paid our sin debt, for He is the only One who could pay it. He rose from the dead. We give Him the glory.
Jesus Christ Died on the Cross, Was Buried, and Rose Again Bodily
The Word of God says in John 8:32, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” Today, truth is disregarded. I want to know the truth. Every child must hear the truth. The truth is Jesus Christ is God. He died on the cross, not like an ordinary thief. He had no debt. He paid our debt, was buried, and rose again bodily. My favorite expression on the resurrection is found in the closing part of John 14:19. It says, “because I live, ye shall live also.” This must become personal. Because Christ lives, we shall live also.
How do I know that I have life beyond the grave? How do I know that my last breath here will be my first breath in heaven? Because of the promise of God. Jesus Christ proved it when He rose from the dead. If He did not live again, we would not have this promise.
What more authority does Christ need? He died and rose from the dead. Romans 1:4 says, “And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” When we believe in the resurrection of Jesus, we are saying He has all power, and He does. (See Romans 6:1-4). Every Christian should joyfully identify with Jesus, the only One who died, was buried, and rose again!
You Must Personally Accept Christ as Your Saviour
When we talk about the commands of Jesus, people don’t want that. I always want to ask them, “Do you want the power of the Lord Jesus? Do you want to pay your own sin debt which cannot be paid by spending an eternity in Hell forever? Or do you want to accept that Christ paid the debt for you?” Never be ashamed to identify with our risen Saviour. He did not only die for us, but He died as us.
What does Christ’s resurrection mean to you personally? In II Corinthians 4:14, the Bible says, “Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.” The same One who raised up Christ, will raise us up too. It is “appointed unto men once to die.” All of us have this in common. If the Lord doesn’t come soon, we will die. What happens when we die? What about our loved ones who have already died? It may not mean anything to you now, but someday it will mean everything to you that you believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. You can trust in Christ today! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” Acts 16:31.
Hebrews 2:9 says, “But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.” Are you part of “every man”? Put your name in this verse. He tasted death for you. Why? The only way to defeat death was by His death. (See Hebrews 2:14-15). What should a child be told? You do not have to live in fear anymore. A child may say, “Daddy, I’m afraid.” A wise Christian parent may respond, “Why? God is with you.” Children may fear car accidents, war, sickness, but Christians have no need to fear. Why? Because Christ made the grave a passageway in which we go to His presence. One day your body may be in the grave, but you will already be with Jesus. Christ has the keys to death, hell, and the grave. It is done! Praise God! It is finished.
In Romans 8:32 the Bible says, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?” If God could give us just one evidence that everything else He promises is true and will happen, He has given us that one evidence by giving us His Son. We can trust Him because He has already given us the Lord Jesus Christ. Anything you place in God’s hands is not vainly placed. If you live a life trusting the Lord, it’s a life well-lived because the resurrection of Christ proves there is nothing too hard for God. There is nothing God cannot do. Any promise you have taken from the Lord, He can keep. Why? Because He raised Christ from the dead.
I believe in the God who spoke the world into existence. I believe in the God who did not stay dead, but just as He said, rose again. Everything He promised is true. When I pray to Him, He hears and answers my prayer. When I close my eyes in death, I will see Christ face to face. Heaven is my eternal home. I believe, if you are a Christian, you will be there too. You may say, “What is the basis for this faith?” It is the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. He lives in me, and He has all power. I am not alone, nor forsaken. I will never be separated from God. I want you to know Him too. Ask Him to forgive your sin and, by faith, ask Him to be your Saviour.