The message of Easter

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ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER : The message of Easter

March 27, 2016 Updated 12:00 a.m.

By ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER EDITORIAL

 

Christians today celebrate their holiest day of the year, Easter. It marks the culmination of Holy Week, which designates first, the entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, then His betrayal by a disciple, followed by His trial and torture at the hands of the Roman governor. On Good Friday, Jesus is believed to have been crucified for supposed crimes, and buried in a tomb donated by a follower.

 

Were that the extent of the story it would be no more remarkable than any ancient myth or historic event. Self-professed saviors and messiahs were a dime a dozen in Jesus’ day. Crucifixions were even more common as a means of executing enemies of the government.

 

But, as Christians know and proclaim, that tragic and grisly series of events was only the prelude to the most glorious moment in world history.

 

Upon His death, Jesus’ followers were devastated. What kind of Messiah dies? Had His promises and instructions been no more than clever words spoken to people hungry for hope? The Christ followers, so overcome with disappointment and grief, had reason to know better. Jesus had foretold His resurrection when scribes and Pharisees demanded He produce a sign to prove his claims.