Easter and Christmas are perhaps the only two times of the year where people can go to a church and not be labeled “religious”. While there is some confusion and much debate amongst some Christians and denominations as to the commercialisation and the Biblical justification for Easter, it still remains as the most important date in the Christian calendar.

Easter this year wonderfully coincides with the Jewish Passover. The memorial feast celebrated by Jews in thanks to God for his protection and their Exodus from slavery out of Egypt. On that night every family took the blood of a spotless lamb and sprinkled it over the doorposts and lintel of their house. All those who were inside, covered by the protection of the blood were kept safe as the angel of death came upon the land as the final plague of judgment.

That event and the ensuing feast typifies for us Jesus sacrifice. While Christmas signifies his birth, Easter reveals the purpose. Jesus came to redeem mankind, to restore all that was lost and stolen. Through his death the penalty of sin was paid in full. Through his resurrection new life and eternal hope were given. The world has seen many great moral and religious teachers come and go. But none could lay claim to conquering sin and death. The highest teachings of morality, given with the purest of motives fall short of empowering the listener to actually do anything about really changing their spiritual state. Yet that is exactly what faith in Jesus does over and over again. Easter is more than holidays and chocolates. It is a celebration of life, one life given as a sacrifice for all, and true LIFE given TO ALL because of the resurrection. God sent Jesus, Jesus willingly came. Easter is a reminder to us all of our mandate and mission. To go into the world and touch it with the love that we have received. That’s what it means to have an Apostolic heart.