What does Easter mean to me?

Why is Easter so important? Is it connected with spring and the new life we see leaping up everywhere. When we lived on the farm, we found kittens in the barn and even one time in the combine. The birds were carrying little sprigs or pieces of fluff and we knew it was time for them to build their nests. I have good memories colouring eggs with my grandchildren. We enjoyed wearing a new coat or dress at Easter. The weather is supposed to be mild and the grass is green after the disappearing of the snow.

However all these have nothing to do with Easter. They have to do with spring and God created it this way. Easter is about sacrifice and victory. Just think about the fact that Jesus was hauled into a courthouse, was charged and sentenced to die on a wooden cross. It was the cruelest sentence a criminal could get. Nevertheless Jesus was innocent. God the Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the punishment for our sins and His blood was shed on a cross. Romans 5:8 tells us: "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinner, Christ died for us."

But that was not the end. Jesus overcame death and arose as it says in Matthew 28:6 "He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." Jesus Christ is now sitting at the right hand of God the Father, interceding on our behalf. If Christ had not died and risen from the dead there would not be salvation for anybody, because it is with the shedding of blood that our sins are forgiven.

That is what Easter means to me.