Easter is about two things: The death of Jesus of Nazareth and his resurrection. One without the other is not Easter.
The Apostle Paul wrote, 鈥淗e [Jesus] was delivered over to death for our offences [our sins] and was raised to life for our justification 鈥� our forgiveness and salvation鈥� (Romans 4.25).
To be sure, Christ had to die for our sins, but a dead Christ could not help anybody. He could not forgive, save or transform anybody鈥檚 life. But the living Christ can. And does!
Hebrews 7.24,25 says this: 鈥淏ecause Jesus lives forever鈥� He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.鈥�
He can save because lives forever. He lives forever because He rose from the dead. The forgiveness of sins and the salvation of the soul are predicated on two facts: 1) that Jesus died to pay the debt of sin and provide the legal ground for God to forgive sin, and 2) that after Jesus died, He rose again and lives forever with the gift of eternal life to give to all who would come to God through Him.
Please notice that this is for those 鈥渨ho come to God through Him.鈥�
It is a common misconception that it鈥檚 automatic. It鈥檚 not. There is something required of us, and it is that we come to God through Him (Jesus). So, this Easter, let us come to the Father through the Son He has given 鈥� Jesus of Nazareth, crucified, resurrected and alive forevermore.
