“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:20).

Imagine a world without Easter. Imagine no bright Easter outfits, Easter lilies, or Easter sunrise services. Imagine no Easter eggs, hot cross buns, or chocolate rabbits the size of toddlers. Imagine no Easter break from school, special family gatherings, or fancy meals. Imagine that Easter Sunday is just . . . another Sunday.

Losing those fun trappings of Easter is hard to imagine. But what about losing the spiritual importance of Easter? Imagine a world without the great spiritual high point of Easter Sunday. Imagine a life without the unadulterated joy and unbelievable comfort of Easter. Imagine never singing any of your favorite Easter hymns because no one ever had reason to write them. Imagine the Easter vigil ending with darkness and death instead of light and life. Can you imagine?

A world without Easter

In a world without Easter, everything would change. That’s what the apostle Paul is getting at in 1 Corinthians 15:14-19. Some highlights from those verses: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . We are then found to be false witnesses about God. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost.” Everything changes in a world without Easter.

If there were no Easter, you’d be a liar. You’d be proclaiming a living Savior who is nothing more than a pile of bones and dust. You’d be sharing a forgiveness of sins that was never sealed by a resurrection. Your message about Jesus would be pointless.

If there were no Easter, your faith would be useless. Why believe in a God who died? Why trust a Savior who couldn’t even save himself? Faith in a Savior who can’t save means that your sins are not forgiven and an eternity in hell awaits.

If there were no Easter, death is the end of the road. Every person would die and be lost to the grave for-ever. There would be no hope of a life to come, no promise of heaven, no expectation of an eternity with God. Everything would change if there were no Easter.

If.

If there were no Easter . . .

The reality of Easter

But 1 Corinthians 15:20 joyfully proclaims the reality of Easter: “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” Easter is real! There’s no doubt about it.

“He lives!” Those two little words sum up the message of Easter. Those two little words change everything.

The empty tomb shows it, the living Savior proves it, and his disciples testify to it. Christ is risen; he is risen indeed!

“He lives!” Those two little words sum up the message of Easter. Those two little words change everything. Just pause and soak in what those two words mean.

He lives! The message you proclaim is reliable and trustworthy, and your faith is firmly founded.

He lives! Your sins are forgiven, and your heavenly future is secure. Nothing can rob you of that comfort.

He lives! And you will live with him. A glorious eternity of bliss and perfection is yours, thanks to that living Savior.

A faith fixed on a solid message. The joy of forgiveness and the comfort of heaven. The unbreakable promise of living with your Savior. All that from just two little words: He lives! And that changes everything.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, bless the joyful message of Easter so that it makes a difference in my life every day. Amen.

Author: Evan Chartrand
Volume 112, Number 04
Issue: April 2025