In the name of Christ Jesus, dear fellow redeemed people of God,

"Does Easter mean beans to your kids?" That was the question on an outreach flyer from several years ago. When many people think of Easter, they think of the Easter bunny and jellybeans and Easter egg hunts. But is that what Easter is really all about? Let me rephrase the question: "Does Easter mean beans to you?" This section of the Bible is particularly helpful in understanding what Easter is really all about. So, I would like to study these words with you, verse by verse. Please follow along with the text printed in the service folder. The inspired apostle Paul writes: {1} Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. There is only one gospel of Jesus Christ. There are many religions in the world, but only one true gospel. {2} By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. Whoever believes this gospel is going to heaven. Whoever does not believe this gospel is not going to heaven. Whoever holds firmly to this gospel to the very end, will be inherit eternal life. Whoever leaves this gospel behind for anyone or anything else, will be condemned. {3} For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, {4} that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,... There is simply nothing more important than this gospel, because our very salvation depends on it. We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and Jesus is our Savior. And these verses tell us exactly how Jesus saved us from sin. This is the gospel. Christ died on the cross, paying for our sins, in accordance with the Old Testament prophesies about him. Jesus was buried, after he died on the cross. He was raised from death. He came back to life! And all of this was in accordance with the Old Testament Scriptures.

But that's not all! Here we have a listing of Christ's resurrection appearances. {5} He appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. {6} After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. {7} Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, {8} and last of all he appeared to me also... All of these appearances proved to all of these witnesses that Jesus really rose from the dead. He physically and bodily rose from the dead! It was no fluke. The resurrection of Jesus Christ remains one of the best-attested facts of history! And that's important, because the gospel depends on Christ's resurrection.

The apostle continues to write, "This is what we preach, and this is what you believed... {14} And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. Today there are those who claim that it really doesn't matter whether Christ really rose from death or not. But it sure does matter! If Christ is still dead, and decaying in some tomb, then our preaching would be useless and so would your faith. {15} More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead... If Christ were still dead, then the apostles would all be liars and false witnesses, because they testified that he really rose from death.

{17} And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. If Christ were still dead, he would not be victorious, and we would not be forgiven. We would be lost and condemned. And you might as well take the Bible and throw it out the window, because it would be full of lies and deception. {18} Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. And if Christ did not rise from death, all the people who died believing in Jesus as their Savior would be lost too. {19} If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. Christianity is really not a "this-worldly" religion. If there is no heaven waiting for us, it would not be worth all the grief and pain we go through to be Christians. If Christ were not raised, it would change everything for the worse!

But then we read those marvelous words! {20} But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. Jesus really did rise! He really did come back to life! And because he lives, we too shall live, by faith in him. Because he rose from death, we can be sure that believers in Jesus go to heaven. Believe in this risen Savior, and heaven will be your home forever!

Easter may not be the best name for this day, because it doesn't say anything. This is the day our Savior rose from death. It is his Resurrection Day! And because he lives, we too shall live.

So then, getting back to our original question: "Does Easter mean beans to you?" These Bible passages make it very clear what this day is all about! If Christ had not been raised, we would be condemned, and there would be no hope for us after this life. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead! Yes, Jesus lives! And by faith in him, we will live forever! So, when I say, "Christ is risen," you can say, "He is risen indeed!" because it's true. Amen.