"Our savior displayed on a criminal's cross. Darkness rejoiced as though heaven had lost. But then Jesus arose with our freedom in hand. That’s when death was arrested and my life began."

Easter has always been one of my favorite holidays. A time for family, love, and celebration. I love the sermons during Easter because they are such good reminders of the very reason we are free. The cross meant to kill is our victory. My favorite book to read this truth starts in John 19.

The Crucifixion:

"Then Pilate turned Jesus over to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus away. Carrying the cross by himself, he went to Golgotha. There they nailed him to the cross. Two others were crucified with him, one on either side, with Jesus between them. And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” John 19:16-19

Jesus breathed his last, and many wept. The last recorded words of Jesus were “It is finished.” This means that our sins would be paid in full. This was God’s will, not his own. When Jesus said it is finished and breathed his last, our sins were paid for. Every old law was over and finished. He made a way for all of us to be saved. The cross was enough for us, yet we often take it for granted when we freely sin and know we shouldn’t. Yes, the cross saves. No, we shouldn’t continue in our actions that don’t glorify God.

The Burial:

"Following Jewish burial custom, they wrapped Jesus’ body with the spices in long sheets of linen cloth. The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there." John 19:40-42

The main thing we should remember is that the story does not stop there. Jesus is not dead. He rose from the dead and saved us from our sins. This is a day of joy and celebration.

The Resurrection:

"Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” John 20:1-2

Many thought His body was stolen. They needed more to understand what had really happened. Here is how they found out that Jesus is alive.

Jesus appears to his disciples:

"That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit." John 20:19-22

The disciples were filled with joy because for three whole days, they were lost without Jesus. They couldn’t understand what had happened. This is how many of us live today. We are disappointed because we think that God has abandoned us or doesn’t care about us. In reality, our sorrows and valleys are what make us grow in our faith when we receive joy from the better gift that God has for us.

The purpose of the book:

"The disciples saw Jesus do many other miraculous signs in addition to the ones recorded in this book. But these are written so that you may continue to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing in him you will have life by the power of his name." John 20:30-31

Remember why we celebrate this joyful holiday and what it means to live for Jesus.

"He isn't here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying." Matthew 28:6