The Lodestar

One of Christianity's core beliefs that sets it apart from other Abrahamic religions is the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to the earth in the flesh, died, and rose from the grave. That carries the basis for a large part of Christianity because it means that our sins have no power over us since they were washed away, giving us a clean slate. According to the Old Testament, the price for sin was always death, but that price had been paid because of what was done on the cross. That means death is hollow. The resurrection brought Jesus back to life, and that same power lives in us when we accept that Life. That’s why Easter is celebrated all around the world. Whether most people know it or not, we celebrate resurrection and life because His resurrection and life mean we can have it. It may not mean we will see people walking out of tombs anytime soon, but most people have a part of their life that they have given up on. A lot hide their addictions because of shame and think their habits are a lost cause. Some have to battle daily with their mental health. Some have to deal with difficult family members. It is easy to present a well-rounded person when there are parts of our lives that we tuck away in the dark. It always seems as though some aspects of life don’t change, that they would have by now if things were to get better. Hope is scarce.

One of the best parts about Easter is that it reminds us that dead things do not always remain dead. The power of God is available to whoever calls upon it, meaning that there is no reason for the dead parts of our lives to remain dead. Easter is a story and memory of love, compassion, sin, forgiveness, and repentance, but it is also a story of hope—a hope that if Jesus walked out of that grave, we are walking out of the grave with him.

(Shruthi Susan has always been active in every church she has attended and is passionate about the various complex issues Christian youth face in their individual journeys of faith and growth.)