If there is anyone in the world who has reason to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is a born again Christian.
Although we actually commemorate the Resurrection as we worship as a local church body every Sunday, I appreciate a day—and a week preceding—to give this crowning truth of the Christian life extra emphasis.
So how should we celebrate?
1. Meditate on Christ’s sufferings.
Before Christ rose from the dead, He allowed Himself to experience brutal injustice, horrific pain, and indescribable sorrow. And He did it all for our salvation.
Meditate on the love of God expressed in this suffering. Read Isaiah 53, Matthew 26–27, Mark 14–15, Luke 22–23, and/or John 13–15.
There is no way to properly celebrate the joys of the Resurrection without attaching them to the sacrifice of Christ on our behalf.
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.—Isaiah 53:4–5
2. Witness to others.
Invite your unsaved family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to come to church. Many who are too busy to come every other Sunday will come on Easter Sunday—which also happens to be the Sunday they are likely to hear a sermon that is wholly centered on the gospel.
Participate in your church’s soulwinning and outreach efforts for Easter. As I’ve been out soulwinning this very week, I’ve had people tell me, “I was looking for a church to go to on Easter.”
The week preceding Easter Sunday is a wonderful week to not be ashamed of the gospel.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.—Romans 1:16
3. Rejoice in the Resurrection.
Have you considered lately the daily implications of the Resurrection to your life as a Christian? It means Christianity is real (1 Corinthians 15:13–14). It means Jesus is more powerful than sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:26–27). It means you have been liberated to not serve sin (Romans 6:9–11). It means you have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
If you have children, teach them why the Resurrection is special and what it means to our faith. On age-appropriate levels, help them understand the joy wrapped up in this event we celebrate.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,—1 Peter 1:3
4. Pray for an opportunity to personally lead someone to Christ.
There is no better way to celebrate the Resurrection than to see someone turn from darkness to light, from the hopeless bondage of sin to the joyful freedom of salvation.
Perhaps you will get an opportunity to lead someone through the gospel in the week preceding Easter—when you’re inviting them to church. Perhaps you will get an opportunity to share the gospel with an unsaved guest on Easter Sunday.
Be alert, prepared, and ready for a chance to share with someone else the hope you hold through salvation.
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:—1 Peter 3:15
5. Maintain contact with new believers.
As God allows you to see fruit through your witness, don’t abandon these new believers. Follow up in helping them grow in their faith and Christlikeness. Be proactive and diligent in encouraging their growth in the Lord.
So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.—1 Thessalonians 2:8
We who know Christ have cause to celebrate His resurrection every day of our lives. And we do celebrate it every Sunday with our church family.
But since there is a day designated on the calendar to commemorate this event, let’s seize the day to rejoice in what it means to us personally and to seek to lead another person to the resurrected Saviour!
