Faith | Resurrection Day is a time to celebrate and remember His gift

Easter represents the greatest miracle and gift in all of history, Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

The entire writings of the Bible are centered around Jesus the Messiah’s coming: birth, life, death, resurrection, and coming again to set up his eternal kingdom.

Jesus’ public ministry of teaching and miracles amazed people including eleven of his 12 disciples to accept him as the Messiah, the chosen one from God. His ministry also caused chaos and outright rejection that ended in his unjust and brutal death on a cross.

Jesus’ death left his followers extremely confused and discouraged because they assumed his main purpose was to immediately set up his eternal kingdom on Earth, which his death soundly nullified. Jesus then shocked the world by miraculously coming back to life three days later, being seen not only by his disciples, but by over 500 on one occasion. This further demonstrated that he truly was the Son of God with power over death.

After he met with his disciples, they finally began to realize that Jesus’ purpose in dying was to take upon himself the punishment that sinful man rightfully deserved, and then offer to share his own perfect righteousness with them. Jesus was able to do this because he was tempted to sin just like we are, yet lived a sinless perfect life.

This act of love gives everyone the opportunity to choose a relationship with God or suffer the consequences of eternal separation from a loving God.

Forty days after his resurrection, he ascended into the sky and beyond. His disciples then spent the rest of their lives sharing the good news about Jesus Christ. They taught that Salvation, or being born again, is a one-time event when a person responds to Jesus’ love for them, who sacrificed himself on the cross on their behalf. This decision of trusting in Jesus Christ as one’s personal Savior and Lord gives God alone all the credit, honor, and glory he rightfully deserves.

On judgment day, Jesus will say to many, “I never knew you.”

My personal plea for you is not to be like the self-righteous religious Pharisees of Christ’s time who trusted in their religious rites and/or good works to save them from the wrath of God. There is nothing a person can ever do to earn, help earn, or keep a place in God’s kingdom.

The supreme God of the universe sees mankind as sinners eternally separated from him and in need of a savior. Salvation is based 100% on the work of Jesus on the cross.

Jesus’s teaching about the rich young ruler included in the Bible shows that he wanted salvation, but also wanted to retain his riches more than he wanted God. This is somewhat like the self-righteous Pharisees who desired to maintain their position and influence rather than give their lives to God.

Intellectual belief in the gospel, without wanting a relationship with God as your Savior and Lord, isn’t true saving faith. True faith will always result in a desire to know and please God.

Once saved, no matter what, one can never lose their salvation. It is a gift from God and unearned by anything man can do in the past, present or future.

What a glorious reason to celebrate! Jesus was dead but now is alive! Believers can now have assurance of their own eternal life!

May this Resurrection Day celebration encourage you to be thankful for what Jesus has offered you, and inspire you to accept his gift by trusting in him as your Savior and Lord if you haven’t already.

This is how we can have inner peace and joy now, and eternal happiness with God – and other believers – in his heavenly kingdom.

He is risen indeed! Hallelujah!

Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Ave., Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.

This story was originally published March 29, 2026 at 5:00 AM.