Why Easter matters
When the Germanwings flight crashed into the Alps a week ago, and we then saw the story unfold over the following days, it was like watching a TV drama – except that this was no fiction. This was real life and, tragically, 150 people really died. Why do we find air crashes so shocking? After all, air travel is still incredibly safe overall. I think it is because many people die at once, there are rarely any survivors, they are virtually helpless as they meet their end, and it takes place so suddenly and unexpectedly.
It is also a sober reminder that we are all “destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27, NIV). How many of those who died near Seyne-les-Alpes were ready for that, ready to die, ready to meet God and to face judgment? I have no idea. But that is what will happen to them. And that is what will happen to every one of us one day. It is “destined.”
That is why Easter matters – at least it is one of the reasons. What God did that first Good Friday and Easter Sunday means we can be ready to face him. On Good Friday, as the writer to the Hebrews continues, “Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people” (verse 28). If we trust in Christ, we have nothing to fear from God’s judgment. And Jesus was raised from the dead, to give us life with him forever, never to die again. So now we even look forward to his return, when “he will appear a second time … to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him” (Verse 28).