He Is Risen: Why Easter Matters and How We Celebrate in the United Methodist Tradition

Every spring, the Church gathers to celebrate a moment that changed everything—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For Christians around the world, Easter Sunday is the heart of our faith, a declaration that God has triumphed over sin, death, and despair. In the United Methodist Church, Easter isn’t just a one-day celebration—it’s a season, a story, and a calling.

Let’s explore what Easter is, how we celebrate it, and why it continues to shape how we live, love, and hope.

The Heart of Easter: Resurrection Hope

At the center of Easter is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. After suffering death on a Roman cross, Jesus was raised to life on the third day. All four Gospels tell this story (see Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20), and the early Church was built on this singular proclamation:

“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said.” — Matthew 28:6 (NIV)

The Apostle Paul wrote passionately about how essential the resurrection is to our faith:

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.” — 1 Corinthians 15:17 (NIV)

But Paul also reminds us of the good news:

“But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” — 1 Corinthians 15:20

In Christ’s resurrection, God has opened the door to new life—not only life after death but abundant, Spirit-filled life right now (John 10:10). That’s why Easter is so central: it’s the ultimate sign of hope, healing, and divine love.

Did You Know?

The word Easter may come from an Old English word, Ēastre, a spring festival celebrating new life. As Christianity spread, believers transformed the festival to mark Jesus’ victory over death, keeping the themes of new life and renewal, but giving them eternal meaning.

United Methodist Roots: Resurrection and Grace

The United Methodist Church (UMC) holds Easter as the pivotal moment in the liturgical calendar. But more than tradition, Easter ties directly to our Methodist theology.

We believe in justifying grace—that through Christ's death and resurrection, we are forgiven and made right with God. But we also believe in sanctifying grace—that through the power of the risen Christ and the Holy Spirit, we are invited to grow in holiness and become more like Jesus in our daily lives.

As John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, preached in The New Birth:

“That ye may know... the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings.”

The resurrection isn’t just something we celebrate; it’s something we live into. Through it, we are continually being made new.

How United Methodists Celebrate Easter

The Easter season begins with Easter Sunday and continues for 50 days, concluding with Pentecost. It’s a joyful contrast to the 40 days of Lent that come before it—a season of fasting, repentance, and reflection.

Some of the most cherished traditions in our churches include:

• Sunrise Services: Just as Mary Magdalene arrived at the tomb early in the morning (Luke 24:1), many United Methodists gather before dawn to celebrate the risen Christ with music, Scripture, and breakfast.

• The “Alleluia” Returns: Throughout Lent, we refrain from saying “Alleluia,” a word of praise, as a spiritual discipline. But on Easter morning, the sanctuary rings with it again in songs, calls to worship, and hymns like Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.

• White and Gold Paraments: Churches change the colors of the altar and clergy stoles to white and gold—symbols of resurrection, purity, and heavenly light.

• Easter Lilies: These trumpet-shaped flowers represent the resurrection and new life. Their blooming during Holy Week has made them a beloved part of sanctuary décor.

Did You Know?

The early Christians referred to baptism as “dying and rising with Christ.” That’s why Easter is traditionally one of the main times for baptisms or reaffirmations of faith—we are reminded that our identity is rooted in Christ’s resurrection. (See Romans 6:3–5)

Living as Easter People

So why should we celebrate Easter? Because it reminds us that nothing is too broken for God to redeem. It tells us that the worst thing is never the last thing.

As Revelation 21:5 promises:

“Behold, I am making all things new.”

We live in a world filled with suffering, injustice, and grief. But Easter doesn’t ignore those things—it answers them. The empty tomb tells us that evil does not have the final word. Jesus’ resurrection is a protest against hopelessness and a promise that love wins.

To be an Easter person means living with:

• Hope, even in hardship

• Joy, even in uncertainty

• Love, even when the world feels cruel

It also means sharing that hope with others—through acts of mercy, compassion, justice, and service.

Did You Know?

Easter is not a “one and done” event. The early Church called every Sunday a “little Easter.” That’s why Christians worship weekly on Sunday—celebrating the resurrection every seven days!

Easter and Mission

In the UMC, we don’t just celebrate the resurrection—we live it out. As the risen Jesus told Mary in the garden:

“Go to my brothers and tell them…” — John 20:17

We are a sent people. The resurrection sends us out to feed the hungry, welcome the stranger, care for the sick, and speak life in places of death. Through God’s grace, Easter becomes more than a moment—it becomes a movement.

Final Thoughts

Easter is the foundation of our faith, the promise of our future, and the heartbeat of our Church. We celebrate because Christ is alive, and that means we can be fully alive too—in grace, in love, and in hope.

So, let the lilies bloom, the songs ring out, and the alleluias return. The tomb is empty, and we are not alone.

Alleluia! Christ is risen.He is risen indeed. Alleluia!

Bibliography

• The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV).

• The United Methodist Book of Worship (Nashville: United Methodist Publishing House, 1992).

• The United Methodist Church. “What We Believe.” https://www.umc.org/en/what-we-believe

• Wesley, John. Sermons on Several Occasions. Sermon 45, "The New Birth."

• Wainwright, Geoffrey. Worship with One Accord: Where Liturgy and Ecumenism Intersect. Oxford University Press, 1997.

• González, Justo L. The Story of Christianity: Volume 1. HarperOne, 2010.

• White, James F. Introduction to Christian Worship. Abingdon Press, 2000.