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Have you ever wondered why Christians celebrate Easter? Many associate the holiday with springtime, decorated eggs, bunny rabbits, crosses, and other symbols. Well, the rabbits don’t have any real significance for Christians, and the eggs may be symbolic of a rock in front of an empty tomb, but the cross (and the one who died on it) is at the heart of the Easter holiday for Christians.
Easter is one of the most important celebrations for Christians around the world. It’s when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, their Savior and “God in the flesh.”
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on the cross—a tragic remembrance, but one that was necessary for him to resurrect on Easter Sunday.
In this blog, let’s get back to basics! We’ll talk about why Christians celebrate Easter, the significance of Easter in the past and today, and more. But first, let’s answer the simple question: what is Easter, anyway?
So, what is Easter? Also known as “Resurrection Sunday,” it’s the holiday celebrated by Christians in remembrance of Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead following his crucifixion on the Friday before.
The word “Easter” itself has debated origins, but it likely is derived from Old English and Germanic languages referring to the month of April or the concept of “dawn,” both of which fit the celebration of the holiday.
Easter Sunday, or “Resurrection Sunday,” is celebrated around the world because Jesus’ resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. His victory over death reinforces his ministry on earth and the goodness of God—and that is worthy of great celebration (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).
The story of Resurrection Sunday is found throughout the Bible (Luke 24; Mark 16; John 20). Here is a bit of the Easter story from Mark 16:1-8:
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’”
Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.
Beyond just a basic understanding of what Easter is, let’s dive into the historical and theological context and importance of Easter Sunday.
As soon as Jesus began his public ministry healing people and forgiving sins, he was under attack from prominent figures of the day in an effort to derail his ministry.
By the time Jesus was 33 years old, the religious leaders succeeded in conspiring with the Roman government to arrest and kill Jesus for claiming to be the Son of God—allegedly committing “blasphemy,” which was punishable by death.
On the Friday of Passover week in Jerusalem, Jesus was tortured, nailed to a cross, and killed there, hanging between two criminals. Mark 15:33-38 says:
At noon, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing near heard this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.”
Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he said.
With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last.
The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw how he died, he said, “Surely this man was the Son of God!”
Jesus was killed during Passover week like the Passover lamb he was, paying for the sins of the world.
You see, when humans chose in the Garden of Eden to rule themselves rather than to submit to the loving rule of God (because of Satan’s temptation), the relationship between God and man was fractured. The punishment for sin is separation from God forever (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:23; 6:23), but in the Old Testament we see that the relationship may be healed by the sacrifice of an unblemished lamb.
Ultimately, the lamb is symbolic of the need for a greater sacrifice. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world as a man to be that sacrifice in the greatest act of love the world has ever known (John 3:16). Dozens of prophecies in the Old Testament foretold this act of love, and Jesus fulfills them all.
Throughout Church history, Christians from all over the world celebrate this glorious act of love on Easter Sunday, commemorating the love God showed his people by sending his own Son to die to heal the broken relationship with humanity.
The question of why Easter matters to Christians today, then, should be quite easy to answer. The Easter holiday, for Christians, isn’t so much about hunting eggs or cute bunny rabbits—though those traditions are welcome. For Christians, the Easter holiday is about remembering the gracious love of God we see in the death, burial, and resurrection of his Son, Jesus Christ.
Some Christians celebrate Easter with church services, either at sunrise or more typical times, and family gatherings to share the time of remembrance in community. Other Christians may get together with Christians in their communities for gatherings throughout the weekend, commemorating Good Friday with a more somber gathering, and other such events.
Beyond commemorating the death, burial, and resurrection on the actual holiday, Christians recognize the importance of living out the heart behind Easter all year long.
Christians can live out the principles of Easter—love, grace, and gratitude—all year by embodying these virtues in daily life. Love can be shown by following Jesus’ example of selflessness, serving others, and building relationships rooted in compassion and kindness. Grace means extending forgiveness to others as God has forgiven us, letting go of grudges, and responding to conflicts with humility and understanding. Gratitude involves recognizing the sacrifice Jesus made and living with a heart of thankfulness, acknowledging God’s blessings even in challenges.
Practically, this can look like helping those in need, volunteering in the community, or supporting a friend in hard times. Sharing the Gospel with others and being a source of encouragement also reflect Easter’s message. By prioritizing love, grace, and gratitude, Christians can live out the hope of Easter daily, demonstrating God’s transformative power to the world.
Christians should be celebrating Easter year-round by the way they live their lives. It doesn’t need to be reserved for a weekend in the spring.
Christians celebrate Easter because without Easter, we have no hope in this life or the next. Easter Sunday is a reminder of God’s unconditional, overwhelming love for humanity in sending his own Son to die and conquer death so that those who believe may enjoy the presence of God forever.
If you want to learn more about the hope and joy of Easter and the Savior it celebrates, explore the Christian faith through the Bible or other Christian books, and consider attending a local church service.
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