As Easter approaches, it’s easy to get caught up in the festivities like the Easter Bunny, Easter candy (I do love Reese’s eggs), Easter egg hunts, a day off work or school, and finally wearing white again (if you’re a rule follower). It’s so easy to lose sight of the reason we celebrate Easter and remember the hope we have.

On what Christians call Palm Sunday, Jesus victoriously rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, and the people placed cloaks and palm branches on the ground in front of Him as he came into the city. The crowds that followed Him were shouting “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” (Matthew 21:1-9).

Only a few days later, the same crowd would be shouting, “Crucify! Crucify!” (John 19:6)

Jesus was treated like a criminal. He carried his own cross to the place where he would be crucified, was stripped of his clothing, and placed on the cross. “From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ – which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’” (Matthew 27: 45-46).

He then said, “’It is finished.’, bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30).

Thankfully, the story doesn’t end there. After the crucifixion, Jesus was buried in a tomb, which was closed with a heavy stone and guarded by a soldier. Two days later, the stone had been removed from the entrance and the tomb was empty.

Jesus had risen from the dead!

And this is the hope we have: eternal life with Jesus Christ. It’s hard to imagine a Father who would love you so much that he would sacrifice his only Son for you (John 3:16), but that is exactly what God did. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we stand forgiven in front of God. He forgives our sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12).

One of my favorite songs is How Deep the Father’s Love for Us.

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss.
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the Chose One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the Man upon the cross,
My sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life.
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything:
No gifts, no pow’r, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ:
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart:
His wounds have paid my ransom.

On Easter Sunday, Christians all around the world will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus and the comfort of knowing that this world is temporary but we will have eternal life in heaven with Him.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)