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“And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, ‘Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.” –Mark 16:5-8
What does Easter mean for people still struggling with sin? It means there is real, lasting victory in the risen Christ. Resurrection Day provides hope to the lost.
Good Friday and Easter Sunday are celebrated worldwide, marking the significance of Jesus Christ’s deity. From Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, mankind—dead in their sin—has a way out of the colossal problem. Jesus asked only for people to believe in Him, to exercise faith.
The New Testament thoroughly teaches about the resurrection. Outside of the four Gospels, Paul teaches extensively on the resurrection and its implications for mankind in Romans 6. Paul wrote the following:
“For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin” (Romans 6:5-7).
Paul taught that Christians are united to Christ in the resurrection, being born again as His sheep. However, he does not end there. He continues by adding that believers are set free from sin. This does not mean Christians are given a license to sin. He answered that directly in verses 1-2: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?”
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ lifted a curse, an ongoing, anticipated event that set mankind free from sin. All one needs to do is believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.
Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated because it is humanity’s only hope. If anyone is honest with themselves, they know they are troubled creatures. Jesus even challenged His crowds: “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her” (John 8:7).
To fully appreciate the birth, death, and resurrection of Christ, we as Christians must acknowledge our fallen state and undeserving condition, originating from the fall in the Garden of Eden.
We sin daily, and we fall short every day. However, the resurrection and saving power of Jesus Christ lift us up, leading us to forgiveness. Resurrection Day is about our Lord Jesus Christ—His deity and dominion over sin and all things—but also about the forgiveness of sins and our entrance into heaven. There is no path outside of Christ.
While many world religions exist, only one claims that Jesus Christ is the sole Lord and Savior of the world—and that is Christianity. To others, He may be a good teacher or even a prophet, but for Christians, Jesus Christ is God, now and forever (Hebrews 13:8, Malachi 3:6).
The primary lesson of Easter is to contemplate salvation—how we are saved by grace and faith alone. We do not earn salvation, yet we cling firmly to our reliance on Jesus Christ. And with our new birth, we are expected to glorify God in our lives, showing His deity and power to a fallen world.
“In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
This Resurrection Sunday, rest in the victory of Christ—rejoice in the forgiveness of sins, and let your life shine as a living witness to the risen Savior.
“It is finished” (John 19:30).
“Jesus answered them, ‘This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent’” (John 6:29).