It’s the day after Easter Sunday. The egg hunts are over. The peeps, jelly beans, and leftover ham are still sitting on the kitchen counter. And maybe now—just maybe—you’re asking the same question I did not that long ago:
“What was the real significance of Easter for me? Did it actually change anything?”
I get it. For a long time, Easter didn’t impact me much beyond the holiday meal and maybe a church service here and there. If I’m being honest, there was a time in my life when I would’ve called myself a “Chreaster”—someone who shows up at church on Christmas and Easter, but not much else. I believed in God, but I wasn’t really walking with Him.
Then one day—“by chance”—I heard a guy on the radio. He was talking about Jesus like He was more than a historical figure — like He was real, present, and personal. Something about that message grabbed me, and I found myself picking up a Bible.
What happened next didn’t change everything overnight. It wasn’t a lightning bolt moment. But slowly, as I read the Bible, I began to understand what Easter was really about—and how desperately I needed what Jesus offers.
A Rescue I Couldn’t Earn
Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus, yes—but it’s also about why He had to die in the first place.
Romans 3:23 (NIV) says,
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
I didn’t need much convincing on that one. All I had to do was take an honest look at myself—at my daily frustrations, selfish habits, or the stuff that still trips me up—and I saw it. I couldn’t save myself.
But then came the second half of the story:
Romans 5:8 (NIV):
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
That line hit hard. While I was still getting it wrong, Jesus had already made a move toward me.
Not About Perfection
Here’s something else I learned: God isn’t looking for polished people. In fact, most of the people Jesus spent time with were far from perfect.
In Matthew 11:19, Jesus was criticized for this:
“The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’”
The religious elite couldn’t understand why someone claiming to be the Messiah would hang out with people like that—people like…well, like me and my friends.
I’ve worked in firehouses. I’ve spent time with guys who love a few beers, tell loud stories, and don’t always have a Sunday-school vocabulary. I’ve been that guy. But when I started reading the Gospels, it hit me—Jesus probably would’ve pulled up a seat next to us.
And if anyone questioned it? He had an answer for that too:
Matthew 9:12–13 (NIV):
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
That message? It changed everything.
Your Invitation Still Stands
So what does this mean for you?
If you’ve ever felt like church wasn’t for people like you—or that you had to “clean yourself up” before coming to God—let me encourage you: that’s not the Gospel. The Gospel is about Jesus stepping into our brokenness and saying, “I came for you anyway.”
Revelation 3:20 (NIV):
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
If you’re still exploring faith or unsure where to start, that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out. But I can tell you from experience—the best place to start is simply opening the Bible. And if you’re new to reading it, check out a New Living or New Life translation. It’ll make the message clearer and more accessible.
My Takeaway
I’ve learned that Jesus didn’t come for perfect people. He came for the hurting, the doubting, the stumbling—and those who’ve tried to make sense of life in their own strength but finally realized it’s not working.
Easter was never meant to be a one-day celebration followed by business as usual. It’s an invitation to a new kind of life—one where grace leads, not guilt.
It’s your choice. It was mine too. And it gave me the best view of life I’ve ever had.
Your Turn
Have you had a turning point in how you see Easter? Or maybe you’re still figuring it out. Either way, I’d love to hear from you in the comments.