How to get the most out of Easter

How to get the most out of Easter

I really enjoy reading the lists that people put together covering how to get the most out of a specific event or experience. I enjoy getting to learn from other people's little tricks and tips that I had never even considered before. I think what I enjoy the most is not having to learn from my own mistakes, but the mistakes of others.

Unless you are living under a rock, you are aware of the holiday that we will be celebrating tomorrow. Far from being a holiday about a bunny leaving dyed eggs for kids to find, it is a day in which we celebrate the greatest gift and measure of love the world has ever known - the death and resurrection of Christ, which provides for all humanity the free gift of salvation. Knowing this, I thought it appropriate to give a list of “how to get the most out of Easter,” although this list is not going to be full of things you have never heard. However, hopefully, this list will be full of good reminders.

First, Easter is a great time to believe.

I am not ignorant enough to believe that everyone who attends Faith is a follower of Christ. In fact, statistically, that wouldn’t be the reality. Many people attend churches every week, know about God, Jesus, and His salvation, yet have never placed their faith and trust in Him as their personal Savior. I cannot think of a better time to make that decision than Easter, the holiday where we celebrate what Christ has done, not merely for the world, but for you. The Gospel of Jesus Christ points to us personally, reveals our sin, and provides the solution through His sacrifice and resurrection. If you have never made that decision, today is the day.

Second, Easter is a great time to reflect.

For those of us who are believers and have made the decision to accept the Gospel and follow after Christ, this holiday is a special one for us. We get to sit and reflect on the love, glory, and humility of Christ. We get to reflect on the sacrifice of Christ that He took on through the crucifixion. We consider the agony that Christ suffered, taking on the punishment we rightfully deserved, to allow us to be restored to the Father because of His righteousness placed on our account. What a glorious and humbling reality. If we aren’t careful, we can allow the story of Easter, the Gospel, to become another message that we hear once a year. This Easter, make it a priority to reflect on the true greatness of Christ and His unmerited grace He offers to us.

Third, Easter is a great time to praise!

The natural response to reflection about the Gospel is praise. When we hear the truth about what Christ has done and reflect on how it has changed everything about us, the only appropriate response is to pour out our praise and thankfulness to Him. On Easter, we will have several opportunities to do this as we gather to celebrate the risen Christ. I want to encourage you—make the most out of this opportunity. Sing loudly, sing boldly, and sing cheerfully. What if singing isn’t my thing, or I don’t have a great voice? You praise. Throughout history, God’s people sang. A wonderful way to show the power of the Gospel to our guests is to sing with joy about the Gospel. Choose to be a person of praise this Easter!

Again, I know my list wasn’t groundbreaking by any stretch of the imagination, but it truly will help you make the most out of Easter! Praise the Lord, He is risen indeed!

Serving together, 

Pastor Derek