Easter Resources 2025
The Cross
It seems that as soon as the Christmas decorations are down Easter eggs appear in the supermarket! As if we need the reminder that time marches on! For most people, chocolate eggs and bunnies are the symbol of Easter, and who doesn’t like chocolate! But for the Christian, the cross is the most meaningful symbol of Easter.
It is the cross that points to the true significance of Easter.
It is the cross that is hung on the walls, worn around necks, tattooed on bodies and is the subject of countless paintings.
But why? Afterall, the cross is an instrument of death.
If people were to hang machine guns on their walls or wear nooses around their necks, we would wonder what was wrong with them!
Yet we do it with the cross. Crucifixion is a form of capital punishment designed to humiliate and humanise people as they died. Crucifixions happened naked, in busy public places so all could see. Crucifixions sent a strong message to anyone who would dare disagree with the Romans!
It may be as many as 2 million men and women were crucified in the Roman period, yet most of us only know of one crucifixion. That of Jesus.
Why is his crucifixion remembered?
Because even though the cross had symbolized everything ulgy, painful and bad about humanity, Jesus death and subsequent resurrection, turned it into a symbol of beauty, healing and everything that points to hope and a future for humanity.
Jesus was no ordinary man, and his death was no ordinary death!
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Jesus came to earth to heal, deliver and forgive people. He gave people hope, freedom and purpose. But Jesus also challenged people and that’s what led to his death a cross.
But while Jesus was born as a fully human baby, he was also fully divine and was sent to earth for a divine purpose.
Three days after his death, Jesus was resurrected. His miraculous resurrection broke the power of death and sin. Sin is the thing that keeps us separated from God. Sin is what brought sickness, oppression and hopelessness into the world.
So the cross is both ugly and beautiful! The Message paraphrase puts it like this,
“…all the broken and dislocated pieces of the universe—people and things, animals and atoms—get properly fixed and fit together in vibrant harmonies, all because of his death, his blood that poured down from the cross.” (Col 1: 18-20)
While straight after Christmas does seem too early to be thinking about Easter, we need the message of Easter all year round. Every day is a good day to take hold of the hope, healing and beauty that are found in the cross.
Want to know more about Jesus and what his life, death and resurrection mean? Why visit a church in your neighborhood this Easter? You would be most welcome to join us at The Salvation Army. Here’s a link to help you to find The Salvation Army nearest you. https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/centres/church/
(Scroll down to see the great selection of Easter Resources we have for you. Videos, crafts, recipes, prayer walks, and devotionals!)