The Greatest Celebration of the Year

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the first fruits; then, when He comes, those who belong to Him. 
-I Corinthians 15

The Greatest Celebration of the Year

Clearly the most watched television event in our nation is the Super Bowl. The event with the most participation and spending, is unquestionably Christmas. For some people it is very individual in a particular year such as graduation from school, retirement, the birth of a child, or a wedding. To the government, it’s April 15. (Although most of us don’t celebrate that date too much.) But for Christians, people who truly believe Jesus is Lord and Savior, the greatest celebration is clearly Easter.

Easter isn’t what it used to be in our culture. We haven’t ramped up the myths and giving and spending like its sister holiday, Christmas. We have a few eggs, a chocolate bunny here and there. Some people still buy a new outfit to wear for Easter (but even that’s a fading tradition). There are a few Easter specials and quite a few religious movies. (For some reason they seem to show the Ten Commandments a lot at Easter?) But there are very few entertainers trying to get in on the half time singing during the Easter worship, or vying to write the next great Easter song. Even Easter worship is not quite what it used to be with all the people flying south to get away from it all. (Of course, we assume that means more people visiting a southern church on Easter.) For many Americans, Easter is just another Sunday except they get to have a little hunt for baskets and candy and an excuse to have dinner with relatives.

But to Christians, Easter is the whole point of our faith. Without the Resurrection on Easter Sunday, Christianity would have no purpose, no promise, no power. Christmas would be the celebration of the birth of an obscure, disgraced, Middle Eastern prophet. We would remain in our sins and live for this life only. Easter is the greatest celebration of every year, every decade, every century. It is the center of time and the center of our faith. Easter says Jesus came out of the tomb, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. And just as He was raised, all who belong to Him will be raised as well.

There are many joyful moments in life, they are a glimpse into glory just as the tragedies are a glimpse into hell, but nothing compares to the joy we will receive when we actually step into eternal life in the new creation. That’s something to celebrate.

Pastor Tom