Easter: From The Garden To The Cross

Easter morning was in the making from the Garden of Eden. It’s a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus after He died to cancel our sin debt.

If you’re anything like I was when I first heard about Jesus dying for our sins, you might struggle to understand what you could have possibly done that required Jesus to die in your place. I was just a young child in grade school when I learned about Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sin and even the word “sin” felt foreign and confusing. So rather than emphasizing the word “sin” the way many pastors often do around Easter, let me explain it this way: we were destined to be sinners-we didn’t have a choice.

What Is Sin?

To sin in Greek, means to “miss the mark,” like an archer missing the bullseye. But we must remember that even young children are sinners that need a Savior. Children, like adults, are exposed to sin and because of this we can sin even if we never wanted to.

Sometimes we miss it by just a little, like when children argue or disobey. Other times, the miss is catastrophic, like taking someone’s life. Sin, at its core, is rebellion against God’s way of life. God is all about love: loving Him and loving others. But it was the first couple, Adam and Eve who brought sin into the world- we couldn’t escape experiencing it and thus being labeled as sinners as well. Thus, we were all on a path of death due to sin.

What Happened in the Garden?

When Adam and Eve sinned, they didn’t die physically, they died spiritually. Their direct connection to God was broken and for the first time, they experienced separation from their Creator.

This separation caused emotional pain. They began to suffer and fear entered their hearts for the first time. God never intended for His creation to be afraid, He is our protector and sustainer. But their disobedience caused a deep rift, and because of this, they felt the consequence of their sin: exposed, ashamed, and vulnerable.

They also lost their purity of thought. They became aware of evil, which defiled their minds and actions. Once they experienced this knowledge, they couldn’t un-experience it. Darkness entered their thoughts and began to influence their decisions from that point forward.

A Simple Analogy

Imagine a pure glass of water. Now imagine adding just one drop of a deadly virus in that water. That water is no longer safe. It can’t be consumed without consequence. The only solution is to pour it out and sterilize the cup.

The world is like that glass, contaminated by sin. And since we live in the world, we are exposed to it. We need Jesus’ purifying blood to cleanse us. When we accept Jesus, we are washed clean and begin to see and experience life differently. Our choice to accept Jesus secures a spot for us in heaven.

But that’s not all. We could leave it at that and do nothing more to know our Savior- we have free will to make that choice. But if we read the Bible, pray and go to Church we will draw near to God and experience far more than cleansing and salvation. We will experience His saving power provided for us to help us through every problem we face.

“I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”( Ps 27:13-14)

The Sin We Experience Today

Today, we watch sinful movies, listen to ungodly lyrics, and witness people sinning all around us. Sometimes, we don’t even recognize that we’ve been defiled by what we have heard or seen on a daily basis. Sin is all around us and we will sin simply by being exposed to it. And each generation is exposed to more and more sin – what once brought shame now seems normal.

Our bodies were made to thrive on God-on the food He provides and His guidance, provision and peace. But because the first humans “missed the mark,” each generation is further than the previous generation from experiencing God with us.

Did Adam and Eve Ruin It for Us?

Have you ever felt like it’s unfair to be born into a sinful world and be labeled a sinner because of Adam and Eve’s choices? Maybe you’ve thought, If I had the chance to obey God in the Garden, I would have chosen better. Life could’ve been different.

God saw that injustice-and He had a plan from the very beginning.

Yes, one person-Eve-made a decision that affected all of us. But another person-Jesus-came to redeem what was lost. His perfect life, His pure blood, and the cleansing water from His pierced side washed away sin for all who believe and receive His sacrifice. We do have the opportunity to live in close connection to God through the sacrifice Jesus made for our sin nature.

“For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!”(Romans 5:17)

Adam and Eve didn’t face the temptations we do today. There was no internet, no instant access to addiction, no fast food or gluttony traps, no luxury idols, no social media feeding pride and comparison. In many ways, we carry a heavier burden of temptation.

But even so, God made a way out.

A New Beginning

Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection that first Easter morning, gave us more than just forgiveness of sin. It gave us the Holy Spirit, who now works within us-removing the “infected water” of sinful desires little by little, then leading us toward better choices, and offering us a fresh start every single day.

“Sanctify them by the truth; Your word is truth.” – John 17:17

By simply acknowledging Jesus as Lord and King and accepting His sacrifice to cleanse our mind, body, and soul, we are marked for eternal life. We are saved and will spend eternity in heaven. And in the meantime, we can grow through His Word and learn how to navigate life’s deepest challenges with His wisdom and peace.

Easter is not just a holiday. It’s a reminder that Jesus made a way for all of us to experience God’s very best. When we are hidden in Christ we are seen pure by God the Father.

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed That I would see the goodness of the LORD In the land of the living.”(Ps 27:13)

It is the Father’s great pleasure to give us the Kingdom once our sin problem is removed by accepting Christ. After this cleansing we are cleared to pull Kingdom blessings to earth through faith, obedience and our prayer life. Our sin is gone and the abundant life is waiting to be experienced because we have placed Jesus Christ on the pedestal of our life.

“Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.”(Luke 12:32)

“I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.”

Food For Thought,

Lisa