Easter is a glorious day for those in Christ. It is a celebration of our hope and life that is promised.

What does Easter mean to you?

Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. 2 She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, “They have taken the Lord’s body out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” 3 Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb. 4 They were both running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. 5 He stooped and looked in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. 6 Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, 7 while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. 8 Then the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed—9 for until then they still hadn’t understood the Scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead. —John 20:1-9 (NLT)

Why do you think even the disciples didn’t understand that Jesus must rise from the dead?

Easter celebrates more than just the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus… Easter celebrates the full life of Christ… even in expectation of his return one day.

There is a song by Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman called “One Day” that illustrates the joy of Easter.

(Verse 1)
One day when heaven was filled with His praises,
One day when sin was as black as could be,
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He!

What sticks out to you in verse 1 of “One Day”?

The gift of Jesus was more than just our justification from sin… Jesus came to sanctify us, showing us how to truly live.

I came to give life—life in all its fullness. —John 10:10 (NCV)

(Verse 2)
One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain,
One day they nailed Him to die on the tree,
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected;
Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He!

What sticks out to you in verse 2 of “One Day”?

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:23 (NLT)

(Verse 4)
One day the grave could conceal Him no longer,
One day the stone rolled away from the door;
Then He arose, over death He had conquered;
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore!

What sticks out to you about verse 4 of “One Day”?

For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. 54 Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” 56 For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Corinthians 15:53-57 (NLT)

(Verse 5)
One day the trumpet will sound for His coming,
One day the skies with His glory will shine;
Wonderful day, my beloved ones brining;
Glorious Savior, this Jesus is mine!

What is verse 5 of “One Day” saying?

In what ways is Easter a glorious day to you?