Happy Easter! The Profound Impact of Jesus Christ on History.

Easter is often seen as a joyful celebration filled with colorful eggs, family gatherings, and the arrival of spring. Yet, beneath these traditions lies a powerful story that has shaped history and society for over two millennia.

The Easter story centers on Jesus Christ, whose life, teachings, and sacrifice continue to influence billions around the world. Understanding Easter as a day of remembrance for Jesus’s eternal sacrifice reveals why this event remains the greatest day of reflection in human history.

My Conversion

It was only five years ago, in my late 50s, that I became a Believer in Jesus Christ, recognizing Him as the person He claimed to be: The Son of God, and that He sacrificed His life for me so that I too can have eternal life with God.

When growing up in the Catholic religion, I honestly did not believe in God, or Jesus, even though I was dragged along to church every weekend. I thought it was all BS, a way for some organization to get money and power.

In my 40s, I recognized that the "science" and "history" we are taught in school has many flaws and errors in reason... that they never teach us in school, that there is in fact a God that transcends all space and time as we know it. But even with that, I didn't recognize Jesus as being the Son of God as the Bible describes.

Not until I truly studied his life, did I realize there is no human who has lived, past or present, who has the ability to do what Jesus did. That the Bible, as written, is in fact truthful, from beginning to end.

The older I get, the more I realize the impurity of my very being, out of which yields greed, deceit, dysfunction, hate, unbeneficial desires, and the plethora of manifestations of what the Bible refers to as evil. The very things that cause our separation from God in eternity. Furthermore, I recognize I have no ability to flush that out of me.

The Bible told us through the prophets, before Jesus was born, that a divine man, one free of such impurity, would be sent from Heaven, a Messiah, to be offered to God as a sacrificial gift to mankind, where He pays the price for our impurities, thereby allowing us to be with God for eternity. In other words, we are on eternal death row, and someone else steps in to pay the price we should legally have to pay.

Jesus was that man... and he proved it beyond all reasonable doubt. Not only in his miracles, his healing, his influence on the world, but through his voluntary and excruciating (a word derived from "crucify") death and resurrection, what the Easter Holiday is about.

It is on Easter we recognize and celebrate the truth Jesus predicted, that He would pay the price we owe for our impurities, rise from the dead, to be with God so that we could also be with Him. Tomorrow, Sunday, we celebrate that He has in fact risen!

Jesus Christ’s Unique Place in History

Jesus Christ stands apart from other historical figures for several reasons. Born into a humble family, working as a carpenter, and without any political power or wealth, his influence is extraordinary.

His mission lasted only about 36 months, yet it fulfilled prophecies made hundreds of years before his birth. These predictions, found in ancient texts, described a savior who would bring truth and salvation to humanity.

Unlike many leaders who ruled through force or politics, Jesus led through his message of love, forgiveness, and eternal life. His followers grew rapidly, and today, nearly one-third of the world’s population identifies as Christian. This widespread influence is unmatched by any other sovereign figure in history, before or since.

Jesus in Different Religious Traditions

Jesus Christ is recognized beyond Christianity. The Qur'an mentions him by name, calling him "The Messiah" and acknowledging his miraculous birth and the miracles he performed. This recognition places Jesus in a unique position, even above the Prophet Muhammad in certain respects, as Muhammad is not described as performing miracles or being the Messiah.

Similarly, Buddha, who lived about 500 years before Jesus, is revered as a spiritual teacher but not as a savior or messiah. Jesus’s role as a redeemer and his resurrection set him apart in religious history.

The Historical and Cultural Impact of Jesus’s Life and Teachings

Jesus’s teachings have shaped not only religious beliefs but also cultural, legal, and political frameworks. For example:

• The calendar system used worldwide today is based on the year of Jesus’s birth (even if 4 years inaccurate due to the inability in the 1500s to properly measure time when the Gregorian calendar came into being)

• Founding documents of the United States, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Mayflower Compact, reference Jesus or the God he represents as the foundation of truth and proper governance.

• Millions of people throughout history have sacrificed their lives for the truths Jesus proclaimed, including 11 of his 12 original followers who voluntarily faced martyrdom, in the most tortuous ways.

  
  

These examples show how Jesus’s influence extends far beyond spiritual matters into the very fabric of our society.

The Mystery of the Resurrection

One of the most compelling aspects of Jesus’s story is his prediction of his own death and resurrection. He declared himself "The way, the truth, and the life," promising eternal life to those who believe in him. After his crucifixion, his body was never found, just as he said it would be. This event remains central to Christian faith and Easter celebrations.

Over 500 witnesses, at risk of a death penalty, even claimed to have seen Him after having risen, including Roman soldiers.

The resurrection symbolizes hope, renewal, and victory over death. It is the reason Easter is considered the greatest day of remembrance, marking not just a historical event but a promise of eternal life.

Easter Traditions and Their Deeper Meaning

While Easter eggs and family meals are fun, they also carry symbolic meaning:

• Eggs represent new life and resurrection.

• Spring’s arrival mirrors the theme of rebirth and renewal.

• Family gatherings reflect the community and love Jesus taught.

  
  

Recognizing these symbols helps connect the joyful customs with the profound spiritual message behind Easter.

Why Jesus’s Impact Still Matters Today

Jesus’s message of love, forgiveness, and hope continues to resonate in a world facing division and uncertainty. His life challenges people to live with compassion and integrity. The global Christian community, numbering over two billion, carries forward his teachings in diverse cultures and societies.

Understanding Easter as a day of remembrance for Jesus’s sacrifice invites reflection on values that unite humanity: faith, hope, and love.

If you do not know about the life of Jesus... as I truly didn't... I invite you to learn about the greatest man who ever lived. Learn about the history before Him, His life and why it matters, and His effect on today. Even more so, I invite you to learn what the Bible and Jesus predicted for what is yet to come!

Once one sees the truth Jesus represents and is, you cannot un-see it. As the Bible says, the logs will be removed from your eyes, so you can see well enough to remove the speck of dust from your neighbor's.

And finally, I will finish this message with Jesus' own statement quoted from John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me".

I invite you to contemplate on that, and The Lord's Prayer!

Have a Blessed and Happy Easter!