Easter makes life worth living

Despite common wisdom, I have put all my eggs in one basket.

It’s true.

Anyone who trusts Jesus Christ for now and forever would say the same thing. We’re not trusting our own efforts or achievements or quality of character. We’re not relying on our social circles, our ancestral heritages, or our religious upbringings. We’re not banking any old Brownie points for future credit.

None of that amounts to anything worth counting.

We trust in Christ. He died in our place, paying our penalty. He blasted through hell and set the captives free for all time. He stepped from the grave, declaring death defeated.

Whatever happens in this life cannot compare to the life that is to come.

Sure, life is hard. People can be hasty and horrible and hateful. (So can we.) Circumstances can be disappointing or downright discouraging.

If this temporary life, with all its struggles, were the whole story, it’d be futile and frustrating and fruitless. It wouldn’t be worth the effort.

Why would we follow Christ, if He were no different from the rest of us? We’ve seen earthly leaders before. We’ve seen prophets and teachers and rulers come and go, stand and fall, and lead people in all sorts of perilous and pointless directions. Following mere mortals doesn’t really lead us anywhere – at least, not anywhere upon which we might stake our very lives.

But Jesus is different. He is different indeed.

He proved it on a rough-hewn Roman cross. He proved it by willingly giving up His life for us. He proved it by rising from the dead. And He proves it daily by calling us ever onward.

The Messiah has come. And He has won. And that makes all the difference.

“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Corinthians 15:19-20, NIV)

His arms are the only basket that holds us fast and forever.

Happy Easter. The Lord is risen indeed.

Christians, if we really understand this, will celebrate the joyful promise of Easter every day.

 

Image/s:

Bible verse graphic – created on quote generator

Feel free to follow on GooglePlus and Twitter. Don’t miss the Heart of a Ready Writer page on Facebook.

Share