“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison” — 1 Peter 3:18–19 (NKJV)
Over the years, many have wondered why we celebrate Easter. For some, it’s just another date on the calendar. For others, it holds no special meaning at all. Sadly, even among believers, some don’t see the significance of this celebration. I’ve met Christians who say Easter isn’t celebrated in the churches they came from, and it sometimes leaves me puzzled. But what I’ve come to realize is that this attitude stems from a limited understanding of the depth and power of what Jesus Christ accomplished through His death, burial, and resurrection.
Beloved, one of the most profound truths of Easter is that the Just died for the unjust. Let that sink in. This is no small matter. No one in today’s world would willingly take the punishment for someone else’s wrongdoing—let alone die for a criminal. I’m sure you wouldn’t either. But that’s exactly what Jesus did.
The Bible says, “…God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him…” — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NKJV). And again, “…He endured the suffering that should have been ours, the pain that we should have borne… But because of our sins He was wounded, beaten because of the evil we did. We are healed by the punishment He suffered, made whole by the blows He received…” — Isaiah 53:4–5 (GNT).
Did you catch that? Jesus bore your punishment. He took the beating that belonged to you. He died the death that was meant for you—so that you could live. This is why we celebrate Easter. It’s not about tradition or rituals. It’s about revelation—understanding the finished work of Christ and celebrating it with deep gratitude and reverence.
So yes, Easter ought to be celebrated—but not with carnality. Celebrate it with understanding, in the Spirit, and with a heart full of thanksgiving. The Just One died for us, the unjust. He took our place and brought us into eternal fellowship with the Father. That’s more than enough reason to rejoice.
Today’s Rhema
The punishment that was supposed to come to you came to Jesus, so that you could live—therefore, celebrate it!
Confession for the Day
Father, I thank You for opening my eyes to this truth. I declare today that I will continually live in the consciousness of the victory Jesus secured for me through His finished work. And as I do, I walk in the blessings that flow from it, in Jesus’ name. Amen!
