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10 Scriptures That Bring the Easter Celebration Back into Focus

10 Scriptures That Bring the Easter Celebration Back into Focus

I still remember the first time we celebrated Easter in our current house. Our kids were small, the carpet was new, and my husband was adamant that I not bring out the Easter-egg dye that year. He’s just being paranoid, I thought, as I lined up the cups of smelly, vinegar-based dye and let the kids have at it.

Then it happened… and it wasn’t the kids either! It was me! As I reached across the table, I knocked over the cup of orange dye and watched in horror as it seeped through the cracks and onto the brand new, almost white carpet. Oops.

This Easter, my kids are nearly grown, so we probably won’t be dying eggs. But, we will be celebrating Jesus! And to make this blessed occasion even more meaningful, I’ve skimmed the gospels in search of verses that will hopefully draw us back to the reason we even celebrate in the first place.

Here are 10 Scriptures that bring the Easter celebration back into focus.

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  • 1. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

    1. "In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God." (John 1:1)

    The first words I ever read from the Bible, at age 17, impacted me then and they impact me now. John 1:1 is beautifully complex and even life-changing. 

    This Easter, let’s remember that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is unchanging and steadfast. He always was, always is, and always will be.

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  • 2. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

    2. "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)

    As the Creator of the universe became flesh and walked among His creation, there had to be a sense of awe and wonder for those who were committed to God. Jesus was fully man and fully God…an astounding truth!

    On Easter, let’s remember Jesus, the Word who became flesh, fully able to understand the human condition, yet remain without sin.

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  • 3. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

    3. "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" (John 1:29)

    What a strange concept that must have been for the Jews in Jesus’ day. They had laboriously sacrificed lamb after lamb, year after year, in attempts to blot out their sins until the next ceremony came around.

    But Jesus—the perfect sacrifice, came once-and-for-all to take away the sins of the whole world! What a beautiful focus point this Easter.

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  • 4. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)

    4. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him." (John 14:6-7)

    Wow! To hear Jesus say those things must have been astounding and maybe even a little unsettling to the people of that time. Yet those words are some of the foundational pieces of the Christian faith.

    This Easter, as we celebrate Jesus, let’s remember that He truly is the Way, the Truth, and the Life… the perfect reason to celebrate!

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  • 5. "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)

    5. "Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24)

    To be with Jesus and behold His glory is the ultimate reward, is it not? Yet, in this busy, busy world we forget. We forget that this is not all there is.

    I pray that this Easter we will stop for a minute and take a look around us. This is not our home. We are but a vapor. Real life begins when we go to meet Jesus in all of His glory and be with Him where He is.

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  • 6. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

    6. "So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished!' And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit." (John 19:30)

    The power in those three words, “It is finished,” is the power we need to be reminded of on a daily basis. The freedom afforded us in those words mean that we don’t have to strive any more. We are victorious!

    This Easter, let’s celebrate the complete victory through Christ Jesus. Let’s rejoice that His work on the cross took care of every sacrifice for sins ever made!

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  • 7. "Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two." (Luke 23:45)

    7. "Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two." (Luke 23:45)

    The significance of this one verse is so remarkable! To think that the veil of the temple, the gigantic curtain of separation between man and God, was torn from top to bottom in order that we might enter in and commune with Him, is nothing short of miraculous.

    We have the freedom to worship, read the Word, and praise Jesus in this country. Let’s thank God for that freedom this Easter, and enter boldly into the holy of holies. 

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  • 8. "He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:6)

    8. "He is not here, but is risen!" (Luke 24:6)

    This is the most familiar of all Easter passages and the most significant. So much more than a song or phrase, “He is risen” is the basis for our hope! 

    Our God is alive! He is not dead. He is risen indeed. What words of comfort for the heart of every man. This Easter, let’s worship the risen Savior with renewed hearts for the King of Kings.

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  • 9. "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32)

    9. "And they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" (Luke 24:32)

    Jesus spoke to His disciples, and He speaks to us with words that pierce the soul. He does not leave us to navigate this world alone. If we are careful to listen, His words will burn within us as we walk along the road of life.

    As people hear the Easter message all over the world, I pray that there will be a burning in every heart. I pray that the amazing truth of Resurrection Sunday will become focused and real for every person, igniting anew the miraculous gift of God’s salvation.

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  • 10. "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Revelation 22:12-13)

    10. "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Revelation 22:12-13)

    As we celebrate, let’s not forget the reason for our hope—Jesus’ return. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End…what a glorious focus this Easter!

    Please pray with me: 

    Gracious God, as we celebrate You this Easter, help us to see the bigger picture. Remind us of the depth of riches you have given through Your son, Jesus Christ. Renew us, Lord, and restore the focus of our celebration. We thank You for the ultimate sacrifice for our sins and for the resurrected Messiah. It is by You, for You, and because of You that we celebrate. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

    Jennifer Waddle is best known for words of encouragement as an Author, Speaker and Musician for Women’s Ministry. She currently has three published books on Amazon and is a regular contributor for WomensMinistryTools.com and GotQuestions.org. Jennifer is committed to sharing authentic messages of hope to women of all walks of life. She loves being a wife of 24 years, mom of four, and nana of two. Most of all, she cherishes her time spent in the Word of God, with a cup of coffee and a beautiful view of the Rocky Mountains. Contact Jennifer here: www.jenniferwaddleonline.com or encouragementmama@gmail.com.

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