He Lives Forevermore!

Easter is one of the most highly anticipated religious holidays of the year. People spend countless hours preparing decorations, baskets, and all of the other colorful aspects of this special day on the calendar. Yet, in all of their haste to provide the perfect program for young and old alike, more focus is placed on entertaining the crowd than worshiping the King.

For the second year in a row, Easter services will look different at many churches around the globe. Due to the global pandemic, many regions continue to prohibit large gatherings. Consequently, some bodies of believers will find themselves sitting in their living rooms on Easter Sunday, watching a modified live service via the Internet or television. While some people have grown accustomed to this temporary way of attending worship services, others greatly miss the fellowship of being with other Christians.

Conversely, some churches are planning to reopen, just in time for Easter Sunday. From Easter egg hunts to elaborate productions, some religious organizations are sparing no expense to ensure this Easter is bigger and better than ever. While many Christians are wide-eyed with excitement concerning the upcoming Easter festivities, there is one critical fact often overshadowed by all of this fanfare.

Easter is actually a secular holiday. The name Easter is derived from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. The presence of plastic Easter eggs and plush bunnies represent the characteristics of this pagan entity. This is why some protestant Christians, such as the Lutherans and Quakers, have determined not to celebrate Easter, but only recognize the Resurrection of Christ. Likewise, we should not be celebrating Easter, but instead, glorifying the Lord Jesus Christ on this upcoming Resurrection Sunday.

Jesus Christ did not give His life on a cross so we could celebrate a holiday known as Easter. Nor did He suffer and die so we could buy a new Easter outfit, eat chocolate-shaped bunnies, or dye hard-boiled eggs. None of these things has anything to do with the King of kings and Lord of lords.

God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die for the forgiveness of our sins. Romans 3:23 (NLT) says, "For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard." God knew it would take a perfect sacrifice to provide atonement for our sins. Jesus shed His blood for our salvation. He gave His life because of love (1 John 3:16). God’s plan for redemption was designed “before the creation of the world” (1 Pet. 1:20 NIV). As my dad wrote, “The fall of man and cross of redemption were not part of an alternative plan. The cross was God's original plan.”1

Jesus Christ is not hanging on the cross nor is He in the borrowed tomb. On the third day, He rose again. He lives forevermore! His death and resurrection have provided a way for us to receive the gift of eternal life. Because of God's grace and mercy, we can live eternally with Him in Heaven, if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Romans 10:9 (NIV) says, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Unlike some people and organizations who might let you down, the Lord will never fail you. Romans 8:34 (NIV) says, "Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us." Our Lord and Savior is praying for us. He loves us more than we could ever imagine.

Surely, we should be exclusively honoring the true and risen Savior, Jesus Christ, on Resurrection Sunday, as opposed to spending time with the fictional Easter Bunny. Jesus is our closest friend (Prov. 18:24) and our constant companion (Matt. 28:20). He is the Son of the only living God. Let us worship His holy name, not just at church on Sunday, but every day of the year. He deserves all of our thanksgiving and all of our praise.

As we move closer to this important day, I encourage you to pray and seek God's will for you and your family, concerning how you should celebrate this special season. Rather than anticipating the secular aspects of Easter, may we all keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. Instead of turning toward the world, let us look "unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2 KJV).


1. Ken Campbell, “R U Ready?,” Christ Will Return Ministries, http://www.christwillreturn.org/ruready.htm.

Grace Friday

Today is a day I hold very dear to my heart. Today is Good Friday. Did you ever wonder why it is named “Good” Friday? Think about it. We often say, “That was a good dinner.” We say, “Good morning,” even to passersby on the street. Let’s face it, the word “good” is used so frequently that it has nearly lost its credibility as an adjective. So maybe we should rename this special day and call it Great Friday. That would give it more significance, right? When you really stop to think about it, though, the name most befitting of this important day on the calendar would be Grace Friday.

In reality, it matters not what we call this particular day. What matters is whether we have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ gave his life for you and me. He was not seeking fame or fortune. He was not trying to do a good deed or striving to be great. He died on the cross to cleanse our sins, to grant us eternal life, and to shower us with love and mercy we do not even deserve. Romans 5:8 (ESV) says, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” As a song I wrote a few years ago says, Jesus gave his life for love. (I invite you to visit www.cwrmusic.org for a free download of my song.)

Perhaps you look at the calendar and wonder what Easter is really all about. Deep within your heart, do you feel as if there must be something more, beyond the chocolate bunnies and plastic eggs? If you are searching for answers, look no further. Jesus Christ is the answer you seek. John 3:16 (NIV) says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The King of kings and Lord of lords gave his life as a ransom for every man, woman, boy, and girl on this planet. That includes you. Why? Because of love.

Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to save him from the cross. He did not have to endure the pain and agony. He could have told his Father, “I can’t do it. I have had enough.” Instead, he stayed there on the cross, because he knew that you and I needed a Savior. He knew that we would have no lasting hope on our own. Jesus wanted to give us the most heartfelt and important gift given in the history of humanity: eternal love and everlasting life.

You may be thinking, why would a King do this for me? I have failed so many times. The Bible says we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Not one of us is without blemish. We have all made mistakes. Still, his love for us is never-ending. Jesus shed his blood to forgive our sins. He bore all of the earth’s diseases to heal our sicknesses. On top of all of that, he granted us eternal life in Heaven with him, for everyone who has a personal relationship with him.

This weekend, I encourage you to cherish the time you have with family and friends. Enjoy the delicious dinners and sweet bunny-shaped treats. Above all, remember the reason for Easter, or as I prefer to call it, Resurrection Day. This special day is not about bunnies and baskets. It is a day to remember the sacrifice Jesus made for us.

Jesus Christ gave his life for love (I John 3:16). On Good Friday, Jesus died. On the third day, he rose again. Now he is sitting at the right hand of God, interceding on our behalf. He bestows upon us unconditional love, even though we are undeserving. God’s Word says, “All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24). No matter who you are or what you have done, the redeeming love of Jesus is free to everyone who believes.

Whether you call Good Friday, good or great, remember that Easter is really all about grace.

In Christ's Love,
Jennifer