What is Easter? God’s Love Story, part 1.

Hi friend! Can you believe Easter is almost here? I’ve been thinking about it and want to share my thoughts. I have a couple of questions. First, why do we celebrate Easter, and second, what is Easter? My answer to the first one is that it is when Jesus died on the cross and rose three days later. The second question I will explore in this post, but for me the answer to,” What is Easter?” “It’s God’s love story!”

Celebrate Easter with a heart full of Love.

Over the next few weeks, I want to share this unique story, and I pray that you will draw closer to Jesus. As you read my writings, be encouraged, and then check out the stories in the Bible and celebrate Easter with a heart full of love for what Jesus did for us.

Easter is God’s Love Story.

Why do we celebrate Easter? All four gospels have the answer. Some go into more detail than others, but each is God’s love story. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die on the cross to have a relationship with us.

What is Easter? We Need to Dig Deeper.

We must dig deeper for the second question to find the answer. So, if you are ready, grab your Bible and your favorite beverage, get comfy, and let’s start at the beginning.

What is Easter? God’s Love Story. In the Beginning.

In the beginning, God created heaven and earth, Gen.1:1. As I was studying, I found out that scholars believe that heaven and earth were destroyed when Satan was judged and expelled. Then God re-created heaven and earth in verse 2.

Ever wonder what that first heaven and earth looked like? The Bible says the earth was without form and was a void. It was also dark. I think the first heaven and earth was the opposite of what God needed to re-create, and when Jesus returns, this heaven and earth will pass away, and the new one will be just as beautiful as the first one!

What is Easter? Let There Be Light.

The Bible tells us that the Spirit of God was hovering over the water. The earth was a void, formless, and in darkness. Then God speaks the words, “Let there be Light”. Light overcame darkness. Then, God began creating living things. But His most special creation was man and woman. He made us in His image and then breathed life into our lungs.

What is Easter? Everything Was Good.

After each creation, God said it was good. These verses are used to express both high quality and moral excellence. It was good because God made it!

What is Easter? The Beautiful Garden.

I have often wondered how long Adam and Eve walked in the garden with God before Satan came and deceived Eve. How long did they enjoy God’s company and the beauty of God’s perfect creation?

They had everything they needed and wanted right there. God provided everything, and they fellowshipped with God. It was a special time.

Then came the day Eve was checking out the trees, and the Serpent spoke to her. He asked her about the tree in the middle of the garden and why God said that fruit was not to be eaten.

What is Easter? Just One Bite.

Eve responds that God told them they would surely die if they ate the fruit and touched it. The Serpent then asks Eve if that was really what God said and that they would not perish but that their eyes would be opened. The Serpent has just planted the seed of doubt in Eve’s mind. She sees how beautiful the tree is, and the fruit looks so delicious; maybe just one bite wouldn’t hurt.

Satan has her. Eve takes the fruit in her hand and then bites into it. And guess who is standing next to her? Her man. The one God gave clear instructions about not eating from the tree, or they would die.

What is Easter? Spiritual Death.

As I read these verses, I am in awe of God. He commands them to leave the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil alone and not eat its fruit; if they do, they will die. God knew that they would disobey Him. They were going to suffer a spiritual death that would separate themselves from God for eternity. Yet, God had a plan!

Eve took a bite, then gave it to Adam, and he took a bite. (A picture of a bride and groom feeding each other the wedding cake after their ceremony came across my mind.) Anyway, they have now eaten the fruit. Satan laughs. And now Adam and Eve are no longer spiritually alive.

What is Easter? Hiding From God.

Adam and Eve did not die, but now their eyes are opened to the knowledge that they disobeyed and were now naked. They were ashamed, and fear now ruled their hearts. Thinking they could hide from God; they use fig leaves to hide their nakedness.

God’s Love Story. God seeks for Adam.

It is now the cool of the day, and God is walking through the garden. He is seeking Adam and calls out to him. Adam answers with we are naked and were afraid of you, so we are hiding.

That is what sin does. It makes us feel ashamed. Sin exposes our nakedness and fills us with fear. We try to hide from God. But God! He seeks us out. He comes after us no matter how far away we get from Him.

God loves us and will reach out to us and pull us out of the pit of sin. He seeks us out!

What is Easter? The Plan for a Savior.

When Adam and Eve ate the fruit, God’s plan for redemption was in motion. Because of the disobedience of Adam and Eve, all of us are sinners and fall short of the glory of God. There is nothing we can do to change that, which is why we need a Savior.

What is Easter? God’s Love Story.

Are you still with me?! At the beginning, I asked the question. “What is Easter?” My answer is this. Easter is God’s plan to save you and me from our sins. We are born sinners, and we can do nothing to save ourselves. God is the only One that can. His plan has always been for Jesus, His only Son, to come into the world just like us.

To be born a tiny, helpless baby, then grow up to become a man with the same emotions, thoughts, and heartaches we experience, and yet remain sinless. Yet, to complete the plan of salvation, Jesus had to be accused, mocked, beaten, and then hung on the cross to die, but after three days, with God’s power, be raised to life again! That is God’s plan; this is Easter!

Next week, I will look at the prophecies about Jesus and dig into how Passover ties in with Easter. Can’t wait till then!