"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay."

                            -Matthew 28:1-6 

As we all know, Easter is a day to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Sadly though, for many people, Easter is the only day in which the resurrection of Christ is even considered, let alone celebrated.

The apostle Paul plainly stated, "...if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." (I Corinthians 15:14) Why? Because if Christ is not risen, then we are serving a dead god - and a dead god is really no god at all. The resurrection of our Lord not only gives us hope for future victory over death personally when the dead in Christ shall rise (I Thessalonians 4:16), but it also affirmed His sinlessness, for "...the wages of sin is death." (Romans 6:23) The Lord's power over death proved that He did indeed live a perfect life on earth (II Corinthians 5:21).

Jesus Christ raising from the dead effects more than just one day out of the year, so we should therefore celebrate it more than just one day out of the year. Without the resurrection, the Gospel is of none effect. Praise God that the story didn't end with the crucifixion!