John 19:17-19 And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center. Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. (NKJV).

Mark 16:1-6 Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away– for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed. But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. 

Soon we’ll be celebrating Easter. Most Christians would have a pretty good idea what it’s about, yet to many, Easter means nothing more than a long weekend. But Easter is the celebration of that most important event; the crucifixion, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ!

It’s 2,000 plus years since Jesus walked the streets of Jerusalem and yet He’s still the centre point of history – a fact that’s easily buried under a pile of brightly wrapped chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs.

One great piece of evidence of the reality and truth of Easter is the Cross. We see them everywhere! All along the roads where people have died, irrespective of their religious or spiritual beliefs. It’s big business now for the Funeral Services to provide Crosses.

Why do people put these “Crosses” up? Because built into the human spirit and soul is the hope of, perhaps the awareness of but not the clarity for, “Life After Death”. The Cross is a worldwide universal symbol of death, of the end of this life and the transition and entering of the next. The Cross marks something and someplace very important in life and death.

At Church services all around the world over the Easter weekend Crosses will be carried in with pomp and ceremony, and positioned in pride of place. The Cross reminds us of something. Like a “post-it-note”, it reminds us that a long time ago, someone died. That “Someone” was Jesus Christ. The Cross, on which Jesus died, is so integral, so central to the Gospel, we don’t hear enough about it today.

The Cross defines Christianity from every other religion! They have only good teachers, prophets, teachings, examples, moral codes of conduct, (some similar to Christianity, and many with Christian values, so be careful!), but NONE, not one, have their perfect founder dying on a Cross, rising from the dead, and ascending into Heaven! NONE! And all because of love.

Jesus Christ did not die and rise again for a percentage of the world, but for the whole world. Easter is God’s grace for the human race. As we approach Easter, lets remember the whole story of the Cross. When Jesus died on the cross; He touched the sun – in Him, we have victory over darkness! He touched the sanctuary and the veil was rent in two – in Him, we have victory over division! He touched the stones with an earthquake – in Him, we have victory over devastation! He touched the sepulchers and the dead came back to life – in Him, we have victory over death! He touched the soldier – in Him, we have victory over doubt! But, as we all know, after the crucifixion of Christ, after the Cross, after His burial, came His Resurrection! He Is risen! The Cross is empty! The grave clothes are folded!

Another great piece of evidence of the reality and truth of Easter is the Resurrection! Bob Gass wrote a few years ago in ‘The Word for Today’, “In Jesus day when a carpenter completed a job, he would wash his hands and face and dry them on a linen cloth. Then he folded the cloth neatly and left it on top of his work. The cloth was his trademark; whoever inspected his work – knew it was finished. On Easter Sunday after Mary Magdalene told Peter the grave was empty, he ‘Saw … the burial cloth that had been around Jesus head. The cloth was folded by itself … he saw and believed’”. (See John 20:7-8). Peter knew instantly that Jesus had arisen! His work was finished!

One of the Apostle Paul’s passions was; “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection”. (See Philippians 3:7-12). Christ’s resurrection is the greatest and most graphic demonstration of His power over the spiritual and physical world. No wonder Paul wanted to know that power!

C.F.D. Moule writes; “The birth and rapid rise of the Christian Church … remains an unsolved enigma for any historian who refuses to take seriously the only explanation offered by the church itself, the resurrection.” (C.F.D. Moule, The Phenomenon of the New Testament).

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (NKJV). Thank God for Easter and what we remember and celebrate in this season! May we remember, sing, celebrate and worship wholeheartedly because of the truth of the Cross, and the reality of the Resurrection! May you know the reality of resurrection power in your life! Have a great Easter!