What Happened On Easter Sunday? Why Does It Matter Today?

For Christians all around the world, what happened on Easter Sunday is of incredible importance.

The Easter holidays are easy to enjoy as a time for seeing family, eating delicious food, and, of course, sampling the tastiest Easter eggs. But, at its root, Easter Sunday is up there with the most significant and joyful days in history for Christians.

On Easter Sunday, Jesus, after being crucified at Calvary on Good Friday, rose from the dead. It’s a story most people around the world know, whether Christian or not.

Mary Magdalene Encounters The Risen Jesus

Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put Him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking He was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have put Him, and I will get Him.”



Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward Him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that He had said these things to her. John 20: 11-18

The good news that Mary shared, of Jesus having risen from the dead, is the good news still shared today by Christians around the world.

How Does Easter Sunday Affect Me?

Acknowledging that Jesus Christ died and rose again affects everything about you and how you live. Jesus died so that we might live. Not only that, He died so that we might live forever.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3: 16

Jesus’ resurrection was the fulfilment of many prophecies found in the Old Testament. In recognising that Jesus the Son is the saviour who was prophesied, and that, through His crucifixion and resurrection, He triumphed over sin and death, you step into an invitation to live forever with God the Father.

This incredible truth doesn’t just impact what happens to us after we die. It can and should change everything about how we live today.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:18

Living For Eternity

Eternal life is not a peculiar feeling inside! It is not your ultimate destination, to which you will go when you are dead. If you are born again, eternal life is that quality of life that you possess right now. Major Ian Thomas

Knowing that we have been saved by God’s grace and goodness and that we are eternal beings means we live differently today.

Perhaps the most famous teaching on this principle is found in the book of Matthew:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6: 19-21

Church leader and author John Bevere wrote a book called ‘Driven By Eternity’ that explores this idea. Its title sums up perfectly the impact of Christ’s resurrection on our lives today.

He explains that we no longer need to be defined by things which will pass away and turn to dust. We can be driven, motivated by, and defined by, eternity.

Belonging to another world

If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world. C.S. Lewis

In essence, what happened on Easter Sunday made it possible for us to join God’s family. It means we will receive a heavenly inheritance and that we can call the Kingdom of Heaven home.

That doesn’t mean we live disconnected and disdainful of this world. Rather, while we live on this Earth we model the values and truth of heaven. We demonstrate ‘another world’ as we live in this one. A world we get to call home because of Jesus dying on Good Friday and rising again on Easter Sunday.

It’s this ‘other world’ mentality, and living with an eternal perspective, that helps us to meet life’s challenges with courage not fear. Jesus dying and rising again invites us to live our days filled with grace, compassion and with love, no matter how difficult our circumstances.

Resurrection power

The same power, the Holy Spirit, that raised Jesus from the dead is now at work in those who believe in Him today. So, as we live in joyful and intimate relationship with Jesus, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to triumph over our own hardships too.

This Easter Sunday as you enjoy a table full of delicious food, and perhaps a special church service, ask God to establish His eternal perspective in you.

A Prayer for Easter Sunday

Jesus, thank You for all that You did for us at Calvary.

You suffered and died so that I might live. Liberated and loved.

This Easter, I remember how You overcame sin and death and rose from the grave.

I ask that You give me Your eternal perspective on my life.

Help me to see as You see, to love as You love, and to walk as You walked.

In this life, and into eternity.

Amen.

Remember, you can also find lots of inspiring devotionals, articles and playlists on the Glorify app. Try one this Easter Sunday to fuel your quiet time.