The event we celebrate on Easter is the most significant event in all of human history! To understand its significance, it helps to view it in light of the Old Testament. In the Old Covenant, animal sacrifices were offered at the temple throughout the year, but on one particular day, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), the high priest actually entered the Holiest of Holies to make atonement for ALL of the sins of Israel for the whole year. The nation of Israel waited with great anticipation as the high priest made very specific preparations to enter the Holiest of Holies on their behalf. If he prepared himself correctly, his sacrifice on behalf of all of the people would be accepted by God and the high priest would emerge from the Holiest of Holies causing the nation to celebrate the covering of their sins for that year! Conversely, if the high priest had not been perfectly prepared, he was struck dead in the presence of God - indicating that his sacrifice on behalf of all the people had not been accepted by God. The grave reality of this specific and most important sin offering is seen by the Jewish tradition of tying a rope to the leg of the high priest so that he could be pulled out of the Holiest of Holies were he to not emerge alive. The death of the high priest would indicate that his sacrifice on behalf of the people had not been accepted. The book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus has become a "high priest over the house of God." When Jesus died, He was placed in the tomb wearing white linen garments like the high priest would have worn on Yom Kippur. Similarly, like some of the high priests, Jesus emerged - alive! As both our high priest and the Lamb of God, Jesus' sacrifice of Himself had been accepted by God . . . and He therefore emerged victorious from the tomb! Romans 4:25 spells it out by saying that Jesus "was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification." Jesus was crucified (delivered up) because we had sinned. He was raised from the dead because we had been justified before God! The resurrection of Christ is the PROOF that Jesus' sacrifice had successfully paid for ALL sins for ALL mankind for ALL time! So, just as the people of God in the Old Covenant celebrated with great joy at the emergence of the High Priest on the Day of Atonement, all the more God's children can now celebrate every day of every year at the realization that Jesus emerged from the grave after making payment for all of our sins with His very Own blood! His sacrifice for you was accepted by God and you have been declared "JUSTIFIED!" before the Father if you will receive His sacrifice for you by faith!
