When I was growing up in the forested suburbs outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Easter meant chocolate bunnies, colorful Easter eggs and pretty new dresses. The dresses were generally pastel or floral—and my mom bought them in three different sizes, one for me and each of my two sisters to wear to church on Easter Sunday. (I also have a brother, but I could not for the life of me tell you what he wore.)

As a child, Easter meant certain traditions, like going to church and then driving to my grandparent’s house for a big holiday dinner. Every year, I’d rush into their house and make my way to the beautifully set table so I could gaze upon a distinctive white cake my grandmother always served on Easter Sunday. It was a white cake shaped like a lamb, covered in white frosting and coconut flakes for texture. She also had a lamb-shaped butter. I was fascinated by these unique treats.

What I didn’t know then was the significance of the lamb.

It would be years later, at age 17, when I would come to know the true meaning of Easter and that the lamb represented Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, the one who takes away the sins of the entire world. (See John 1:29.)

I learned that thousands of years ago, before Jesus came, people were required to bring an offering, generally an animal (sometimes a lamb) to “atone for” their wrongdoings, their sins, so they could be right with God again. It may sound strange to our 21st century ears, but that’s how they did things back then.

But when Jesus came on the scene everything changed.

Instead of the old way, Christ came to help us get right with God in a new way. After he taught people how to love and to live, after he healed the sick, and restored sight to the blind and did many amazing miracles, the time came for Christ to die.

It’s hard to talk about the part where Jesus was betrayed by a friend, beaten and scourged. Who wants to remember the violence done to an innocent man (fully human and fully God) who hung on a wooden cross for hours and was then buried in a tomb?

But without knowing the pain Christ suffered, we could never fully realize the impact of His glorious resurrection.

By His death on a cross and wondrous rising again—the reason we celebrate Easter—Jesus paid the sin debt that was ours; He was the payment, the ransom, the sacrifice—and it would be once and for all. “Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28)

Once. And for all.

That’s amazing love.

That’s phenomenal forgiveness.

God loved us so much that He made a way for you and I to be right with God—to be close, not far off; to be connected, not disconnected. Christ did for us what we could never do on our own. “This is love: not the we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so love us, we also ought to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11)

And God forgives us. Totally. Completely. No matter what we’ve done wrong or failed to do. Our job is to admit it to Him, and be truly sorry. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Indeed, the best thing about Easter is celebrating the amazing love and forgiveness of God.

Jesus Christ triumphed over death. He won! He overcame! Life beat death. And that same resurrection power of Jesus is available to us today.

Our job is to believe. And receive all that He’s said and done for us.

Because of Resurrection, God made a way for us to be forgiven, free, and re-connected to the One who loves us most. We have the hope of heaven and help from above all our days on Earth. With the love that sets us free, we are able to better love others and live with greater compassion, peace and true joy.

Now that, my friend, is Good News worth celebrating.

He is not here; He is risen! Just as He said.

He has risen indeed!

***

P.S. If you have never received the amazing love and forgiveness of Jesus, you can do so right now. Here is a short prayer you can pray:

Lord, I am amazed at all you have done for me. I believe that Jesus Christ died on a cross and rose again for the sins of the entire world—including my sins. I believe and receive your love and mercy. Come into my heart and make me whole and right with you, Lord. I ask in Jesus’ might and powerful name. Amen.