Not everyone knows why we, as Christians, celebrate Easter. Some don’t even know it has a Christian background. Absurd? Not in the slightest.

I was in middle school when my best friend asked me why I went to church for Easter. At that age, I had assumed she and all my other friends knew the meaning of Easter, but I was sadly mistaken. I realized at that moment that not everyone grew up going to church like I did, thus their families celebrate things a little different and, in most cases, don’t even talk about religious topics on days such as Easter and Christmas.

I lived in a ‘Bible-belt’ state at that time and I had friends that knew nothing of Jesus, who He is and what He did for us. That is on us as Christians and is a hard pill to swallow.

I was able to share with her why I celebrate Easter when all she had ever known were that families gather to hide baskets and eggs, eat a big meal and take photos with a mall bunny. This not only changed her life but my perspective on the Great Commission.

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, New International Version)

We can often get caught up in a belief that God is only calling us to ‘go’ far to spread His message to third world countries or even places in the United States where crime is rampant, but what about your friend group, family, school, neighborhood or workplace? There are people who are there beside you every single day that have never heard of Jesus Christ, of our merciful God or of the overwhelming Spirit.

We are in need of a renewal of our mindset. An awakening to the state of those around us. We are in need of a great revival to commence, with us leading the way in God’s faithful army.

Even though Easter weekend has come to a close, let us not forget who carried the good news that Jesus arose from the dead and ascended to Heaven: Mary Magdalene. And who did she first tell - those she was closest to - the disciples. Ladies, it is our calling as well!

“At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. He asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?’ Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (teacher). Jesus said, ‘Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: ‘I have seen the Lord!’ And she told them that he had said these things to her.’ (John 20:14-18, NIV)

The true meaning of Easter is more than just a memorial of Jesus’ resurrection one day a year with a church service. We can celebrate the resurrection as we allow it to become a reality in our lives and in others lives around us.

“Or do you not know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Romans 6:3-5, NIV)

And we cannot keep the resurrection, or revival, to ourselves! Christ’s death and resurrection is a daily hope of how Truth and Love will triumph over sin; we must be stewards of His message, even when we unintentionally assume others know it as we do.

More than a Day: Easter