Easter: Celebrating the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

 

Easter: Celebrating the Death and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ! Reflections from Ericsson Mapfumo, University Chaplain

 

During this time, which is also known as “Holy Week”, we journey with Staff and Students as they reflect on their Christian faith.

 

James, a student helps us reflect on the meaning of Easter and brings in comments from other staff and students, as he writes:

Would it surprise you to know that for Christians Easter is more important and significant than Christmas? Whilst Jesus’ human birth in a stable is amazing, what happened at Easter is at the “heart” of what Christianity is all about. Good Friday is when we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Jesus made by displaying the greatest act of love possible: dying in our place on a cross. Because we are human we will never meet God’s standard of holiness and sinlessness and that is why God launched his rescue plan of sending Jesus his son to us to build a bridge between us and God - achieved through his death, instead of us facing that same predicament - so that we could know and have a personal relationship with God:

 

As the Bible (Christians Holy Book) tells us in the gospel according to John 3:16 & 17:

 

 “for God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but will have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (NIV)

 

And here’s the best part: Jesus didn’t stay dead, He beat death itself by rising from the grave three days after his death - something only God himself could have achieved. This is what we celebrate on Easter Sunday and why Easter is so significant to those of Christian faith!

 

So, how has your faith in Jesus Christ impacted you? – Here are a few comments from staff and students in our university:

 

Comment 1

Egena: “Faith is the substance of things we hope for, and the evidence of things not yet seen. Faith in God brings peace, contentment and satisfaction. Life is full of pressure and competing demands. Having faith in God has helped me cushion the pressure and find peace. I know God doesn't fail or disappoint me. I look up to him for everything. Our celebration of Easter reminds us of the deep love the Christ showed to us by laying his life down so that we may find peace in the world and beyond.” (Student)

 

Comment 2

Chris: “Although I reflect on the death and resurrection of Jesus often, Easter is the time when we formally celebrate what He did for us. I am very grateful for the restoration in my life that has happened since I placed my faith in Jesus: a new life characterised by healing from past experiences, the restoration of damaged relationships and a continued source of hope and strength when faced with many of life’s challenges.” (Staff)

 

So for Christians, Easter isn’t about chocolate eggs, bunnies, and spring; it’s about celebrating how Jesus loved us so much that he saved us from the punishment we all deserve, and conquered death itself so that we too may have life forever with Him, and that’s definitely something worth celebrating. (staff)

 

Comment 3

Fransina: "Since God loves me so much that Jesus died and rose for me to know Him intimately, I can no longer boast in my achievements or let myself be defined by my failures. Knowing Him changes me from someone who is only concerned with herself to seeking the welfare of others." (Staff)

 

Comment 4

Harriet: ‘Easter has always been an important and joyful time for my family and I. We wake up and read the Easter story together, go to church, host dinner, exchange chocolate, make crafts etc. One specific memory from my childhood was making the empty tomb scene entirely out of cake! It is a time of remembering the sacrifice Jesus made and celebrating what the resurrection achieved. Christians carry this Easter story with us all year round, it gives us peace, hope, forgiveness, joy and means we can have a personal relationship with God!’ (Student)

 

For those keen to explore the Christian faith, and why Easter is such a big thing, there are many churches, that l am sure will be able to welcome you on this Easter season!

For further details, also check this site for churches near where you live:

Sunday Services - Churches Together Huddersfield (virtualhuddersfield.com)

 

In addition, there are a list of resources that can be accessed on some of these websites: 1.Courses exploring Christianity - Evangelical Alliance (eauk.org)

 

  1. Find an Alpha near you — Alpha UK - Stay Curious. Try Alpha.
  2. Who Is Jesus Christ? The Central Figure in Christianity (learnreligions.com)

 

Alternatively contact Revd Ericcson at:  e.mapfumo@hud.ac.uk and he can make suggestions to local churches near your area.

 

Happy Easter Everyone!

 

Artwork depicting Jesus Christ in relation to death and resurrection at Easter.