First Baptist Islamorada
Weekly Message: The Teachings of Jesus – What is Easter and why is it Important?
April 15, 2025
We will be celebrating Easter on Sunday April 20th with a sunrise service starting at 6:45am on the beach at the Coconut Cove resort at mile marker 85 on Windley Key. Please join us as we gather to celebrate Jesus, our risen Lord and Savior!
When we speak of Easter, many times what comes to mind is colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and one of my favorites, the yellow peep chicks. Growing up in New England, Easter marked the beginning of spring, the blooming of all the flowers and trees and the start of a new growing season. But Easter is a lot more than bunnies, candy and easter egg hunts. It is a celebration of what God has done so that we can be part of his family.
Jesus was a master storyteller and would use stories also known as parables to teach people about the ways of God. His teaching was so revolutionary, that people would come from great distances to hear him speak. One day he was teaching and many came to hear him. This teaching was so important and fundamental to why Jesus came, that he told 3 separate stories so that all would understand what he had to say. So let’s take a closer look at what Jesus was teaching us in Luke chapter 15.
“Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”And so He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the other ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?And when he has found it, he puts it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”
“Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the coin which I had lost!’ In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
“And He said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his estate in wild living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger! I will set out and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired laborers.”’ So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion forhim, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate;for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.” Luke 15:1-24.
Each of these stories tell of an individual having lost something that was precious to them, and that individual pulling out all the stops to find what was lost. Jesus was teaching us that God feels that way about his children. That even in our state of being rebellious, self-centered and disobedient, God made a way so that we could come back to him and be restored as a member of his family. Jesus is that way.
Easter is the celebration of what God has done for us, that we could not do for ourselves. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath ofGod through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:8-10.
Jesus, the Son of God, sacrificed his life so that we could be forgiven. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead on Easter Sunday demonstrates that God accepted his sacrifice and that all who believe in him are reconnected to the family of God. We are His sons and daughters and as such are entitled to the benefits of being children of God, namely that we have inherited eternal life. So, this Sunday when you see the brightly colored eggs and a small child hunting for Easter candy, remember that our Heavenly Father pulled out all the stops to find us and make a way for us to be forgiven and in the right relationship with Him. He has given us a tremendous gift; adoption into the family of God and the certainty that we will spend eternity in Heaven with Him.
If you have questions or would like us to pray with you, please call or text 305-306-7842. Your friends at First Baptist Islamorada.
