Running through the garden, or turning the house upside down hunting for the hidden eggs and bunnies, is great fun. There is much joy at finding the prize and even greater pleasure in eating the chocolate.

Others see Easter as a great opportunity to get away on a short holiday with family or to just relax at home for a few days, often oblivious to what this holiday commemorates.

Well what if someone were to tell you that Easter is about being rescued.

In the New Testament, Luke explains this rescue to us, starting with why he wrote his account:“Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the Word (Jesus). Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught” ( Chapt. 1, verses 1-4 Chapt. 1, verses 1-4).

We read that Luke based his account on eyewitnesses, many of whom died because they would not deny what they had seen. History tells us that many Christians were burned to death, were crucified, fed to the lions and murdered in a colosseum for amusement because they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus.

Surely the claims that these people, and Jesus Himself, died for were founded on reliable historical facts.

Jesus said that He came to lay His life down as a ransom for many. In Matthew 20, verse 28Matthew 20, verse 28, He said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

We all have within us a moral compass that makes us want for and believe that justice will be done.

We see on the TV and read in the papers of the families who have lost a loved one due to some crime being committed against an innocent victim. The family speaks about what has happened and how they hope that justice will be served against the perpetrator. Often there is a public outcry, as they believe that the perpetrator did not receive what they believe should be a more fitting punishment. We all have within us a moral compass that makes us want for and believe that justice will be done.

This eternal desire that justice be served is actually what Easter is all about.

According to the Bible we have all broken God’s law as Romans Chapter 3, verse 23Romans Chapter 3, verse 23 states; “For there is no difference for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” To sin is to choose our own way rather than God’s way.

We read on in Romans chapter 6 and verse 23Romans chapter 6 and verse 23 what the consequences for our sin will be; “For the wages of sin is death” — that is, eternal separation from God.

Some people reject that they will be judged on the basis that ‘God is love’. However, as God is an impartial, just judge, He cannot just forgive a crime or overlook an offense. He must judge according to the law and pass a fitting sentence. This is made clear for us in Hebrews 9, verse 27Hebrews 9, verse 27; “Man is destined to die once, and after that face judgment.”

In our legal system, when someone breaks the law, they must give an account to a judge as to why they broke the law and, if guilty, they ‘pay the fine or serve the time’ — how can we think that God is somehow different?

Unlike our justice system, there are no excuses for breaking God’s law — everyone is equally responsible according to Romans 1, verse 20Romans 1, verse 20: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so all people are without excuse.”

God, being just, cannot forgive us on the basis of love as many have claimed, but, He does forgive on the basis of His justice.

Justice is done when punishment is finished. God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ took our punishment when on a cross 2000 years ago He declared, “It is finished”, and died. Three days later He rose again, proving the sacrifice was complete.

We could, as many do, keep on trying to excuse ourselves, ignore the judgment to come, or work for salvation, but in His love God invites us to give up and trust in Jesus’s sacrifice on our behalf. As Romans chapter 5, verse 8Romans chapter 5, verse 8, says; “God demonstrates His love toward us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us.”

This amazing statement means that Jesus paid our debt in full for the sin we have committed. Just as Romans chapter 8 and verse 1Romans chapter 8 and verse 1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ...” The word for condemnation had a twofold meaning. Firstly, it is the idea of a man standing before a judge accused of a crime, and after all the evidence has been heard the judge declares him not guilty. Secondly, this word has the idea of a man who has a mortgage and the final payment is made and he is declared debt-free.

So how can we make this a personal reality in our lives? Romans chapter 10, verses 9 and 13Romans chapter 10, verses 9 and 13, says, “If you confess the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved... For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Easter is all about being saved from the consequences of our sin; from our rebellion again God’s law. His wonderful love is demonstrated in that He has done all that we need to enable us to enter back into a right relationship with Him through His death and resurrection at Easter. What we need to do is be prepared to step over the line and call upon the Lord to be saved. Now there is something worth hunting for!

Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, He who hears My Word and believes on Him who sent Me has everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but has passed from death to life” (John 5:24John 5:24).