Unless any more submissions trickle it, tomorrow will be the last entry in this Easter series. Today’s thoughts come from my friend Laura. Laura has been a friend to Maggie and I for a few years. She was a part of our small group in all its various incarnations. Laura is a teacher, an avid reader, and artist. I helped officiate Laura’s wedding to Seth last year… a fact she may have regretted since I had a coughing fit halfway into the ceremony. Slightly embarrassing. Here’s Laura’s answer to the question, “Why does Easter matter to you?”

Some things about Easter are important to me every year, but some years also bring a new and different light to the day. This year, I am struck by my share in Christ’s death and resurrection. In Romans, it says that in believing in Jesus, we share in His death and in His resurrection. We mirror it in ourselves. Which has, to me, really deep implications for what matters in my life. Romans says, “We know that Christ, resurrected from the dead, doesn’t die anymore. Death no longer dominates him.” (6:9) And earlier, it makes the point that it is in death that sin rules humans, ultimately.

So, if I have shared in Christ’s death… then death no longer dominates me, either. Sin is no longer in charge of any part of me. It seems to me that people spend a lot of time being dominated by death (little deaths or big ones) and by sin. Christians included. Me too. But if I believe the history of Easter, then that’s an unnecessary and untruthful way to live and think. They’re NOT in charge anymore. Not now and not at any time in the future. Placing this awareness at the foundation of my decisions and attitudes… changes many many things.

There’s more to this, of course. Sin and death still do dominate in the world at large in many places and ways, and they’re always glad to keep dominating me, anytime I’d like. But Jesus’ death and His new life mean that ultimately and underneath it all, the REAL truth is that they’re defeated. And I do not wish to live according to appearance, but according to final and true reality.