By Rev. Thomas A. Eggold
Easter stands at the heart of the Christian faith, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ holds profound implications for humanity.
Throughout history, death has been an inescapable reality, feared by all and resisted by many. The poet Dylan Thomas passionately urged his readers, “Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” Yet, as much as we may fight against it, death remains a universal equalizer.
The Bible teaches that death is a consequence of sin, and it is always accompanied by physical, emotional, and spiritual suffering. This was the harsh reality faced by the women who witnessed Jesus’ crucifixion on Good Friday and then traveled to His tomb early in the morning on the first day of the week.
Their hearts were broken, their grief was raw, and their hopes were dashed. Then, in a flash, their despair turned to astonishment as they found the tomb empty and heard angels proclaim, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen” (Luke 24:1-6 ESV).
Easter is all about the triumph of life over death, and the resurrection of Jesus is the physical confirmation that God keeps His promises. Easter assures us that death is not the end, but instead, it is the gateway to a new and eternal life.
Isaiah captures this transformation when he writes, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (v. 9:2 ESV). The resurrection of Jesus changes everything, altering our experience in the present and shaping our understanding of the future.
Despite the world’s skepticism and attempts to discredit the resurrection, the truth of Easter remains central to the Christian faith. As Paul wrote, “If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19 ESV). Yet, he affirmed, “in fact Christ has been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV), a declaration of Christ’s victory over death.
Easter changes everything. The resurrection of Jesus empowers us to live with confidence and purpose. It transforms our view of death and life, enabling us to face life’s challenges with hope and perseverance.
Our faith is anchored in the Gospel reality of the Risen Christ, and this Easter message of life and hope resonates through the ages: Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia. Amen.