It’s Easter, He’s Alive! Okay, but what difference does it make?

Sunday, all around the world, Christians from every tradition and denomination will come together to proclaim that Jesus—the Messiah, the Son of God—is alive. But what is Easter, really?

Last week, while I was visiting long-time friends in the south of France, I attended Palm Sunday Mass at their church. I use the word "Mass" intentionally because they are Catholic and, as you might know, I am Protestant. The church was packed, and everyone was holding branches—this time, for the occasion, they were olive branches that everyone could pick up in the church courtyard.

Maybe you aren't familiar with the tradition of Palm Sunday? It refers to Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem just over two thousand years ago. Jesus entered sitting on a donkey, surrounded by crowds of His contemporaries crying out, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord," while laying palm branches and their own clothes on the ground to honor Him.

These are the same crowds who, just a short time later, would chant "Crucify Him!" before Pontius Pilate, the Governor of Judea.

Does that sound familiar? We see the same patterns today—worshiping people one day only to nail them to the pillory the next. In Jesus' time, it happened in Jerusalem; today, it happens on social media, the internet, and across every media outlet. If you think about it, nothing has changed in 2,000 years. Humanity hasn't changed either. But I digress.

So, this Sunday, Christians around the world will celebrate Easter.

Protestants, Catholics, Orthodox—everyone who believes in Jesus will gather, whenever possible, to share this moment. Some will go out of tradition, because that’s just how it is—a major holiday in the church calendar, whether Catholic or Protestant. Others will go because they truly believe, and they are joyful to remember with others that Jesus is risen. Because Easter isn’t just a church holiday; it’s not just a tradition. Easter is Jesus triumphing over death after being crucified on a cross where He carried our sins, our sicknesses, our pain, and our torments.

Yes, Jesus chose to die like a criminal so that I could become free. And Easter celebrates His victory.

But before going any further, I’d like to ask you a question:

"What does it change?" And more importantly, "What does it change for you?"

I believe it doesn’t change much of anything if you don't know Jesus' mission and why He came to Earth to live among us.

I want to share these verses with you from the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Luke. Jesus is in the synagogue, and He is given the scroll of the prophet Isaiah to read. Here is the message He reads:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisonners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Then Jesus rolls up the scroll, sits down, and as everyone’s eyes are fixed on Him, He declares:

"Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing."

Jesus came to fulfill all of that, and He did it so that we could be free, comforted, and live in grace. He went all the way—to death on the cross—and tomorrow we celebrate His victory. But you don't have to wait for Easter to experience that victory; it’s available right here, today. I’ve experienced it personally, which is why I feel I can speak about it. Jesus sets us free and heals everything.

I’ll just finish by encouraging you: whether you are a Christian by tradition or by conviction—or maybe even agnostic, atheist or from another religion—know this: Jesus sets people free. Jesus heals our hearts, which are sometimes broken, and He has the power to drive out all your torments. He even has the power to cast out the fear of death because He leads you to eternal life. That is what Easter is all about. It changes everything.

Think about it today, whether you’re at church, gathering with family, or even just eating Easter chocolates: Jesus is alive and He is still moving today!

As always, don't hesitate to contact me if you'd like to chat about it.

If you want to go deeper into this thought, you can read one of my previous articles: "If Christ sets you free, you will be free indeed"