Easter is about more than just colorful Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. Should Christians celebrate Easter?

As fun as Easter egg hunts may be, Easter is about Jesus. It’s about His death and resurrection.

What happened to Jesus on Easter?

Most people are familiar with “Good Friday” and “Easter Sunday”.

On Good Friday we celebrate and commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus. A few readers may have fallen out of their chairs. What? We celebrate the death of Jesus on the cross? Yes. Do you know what kept Jesus on the cross? It wasn’t the nails. It was His love for you.

Jesus could have said at any time that He no longer wanted to keep going with the painful, agonizing passion and crucifixion, and the Father would have welcomed Him back to heaven with open arms. Nobody forced Jesus to die for us. Jesus wanted to give His life for us because He knew that He was the only way to forever reconcile us to God if we accept His saving hand.

On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. After His death on the cross, Jesus rose from the dead. He was raised to life for our justification:

“The words ‘it was credited to him’ were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” (Romans 4:23-25; NIV)

So, Easter Sunday isn’t about Easter eggs, it’s about Jesus. Is it bad when you and your family color, hide and seek Easter eggs? No. But it has nothing to do with Jesus. So, don’t forget to also take time to celebrate your Lord and Savior. Consider reading the Bible verses about His resurrection with your family.

Are you saved?

How about you? Have you accepted this wonderful gift yet? Do not wait. You can be saved today and reconciled to God for all eternity. You can learn more here:



Bible Verses & Reading Plans for Easter

Perhaps you have young children and want to read them the Bible passages about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus on Easter. Or maybe you are alone. I don’t know what’s going on in your life, but I do think Jesus rejoices when we read about His incredible, glorious sacrifice for us — whether we read it with our loved ones, or alone.

So, here are a few suggestions for what you could read in the Bible for Easter. The crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are recorded in all four gospels, so you can choose which gospel you want to read from this Easter (or maybe more than one):

  • Good Friday: The Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus
    • Matthew chapters 26-27
    • Mark chapters 14-15
    • Luke chapters 22-23
    • John chapters 18-19
  • Easter Sunday: The empty tomb and the resurrection of Jesus
    • Matthew chapter 28
    • Mark chapter 16
    • Luke chapter 24
    • John chapter 20

Only on Easter?

As Jesus’ sheep, we can, of course, rejoice and thank Jesus for His sacrifice all year long. Because that sacrifice changed everything. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, every person has a chance to be reconciled with God. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, anyone who accepts Jesus’ saving hand can be saved. How good we have it. How good our God is to us!

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