For some, Easter is just another day on the calendar. But for believers, it holds the core message of the Gospel—the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Before we celebrate the empty tomb, the days leading up to Easter Sunday invite us to pause and reflect on the true meaning of the cross, drawing us deeper into the magnitude of Christ’s sacrifice.

As Easter approaches, here are three ways to prepare your heart through the timeless teaching of Billy Graham.

1. MEDITATE

“I have often sat by the hour and tried to imagine the agony and suffering He went through because of our sins.” —Billy Graham

Set aside intentional time to read God’s Word, particularly the account of Christ’s death and resurrection (Luke 22-24). In the stillness, pause and reflect on the depth of His suffering as He bore our sins on the cross.

Billy Graham once wrote: “Jesus was alone. He had come to His own, and His own did not receive Him. When He was being arrested in the garden of Gethsemane, we are told that ‘all the disciples deserted him and fled’ (Matthew 26:56). The crowds who had so recently shouted, ‘Hosanna!’ would soon shout, ‘Crucify him! … Crucify him!’ (Matthew 21:9, 27:22-23). Now even His loyal Twelve had left. And at last we hear Him cry out, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’ (Mark 15:34). Not only had He been forsaken by His human companions, but now in that desperate and lonely hour, He—because He was bearing our sins in His own body on the cross—had been forsaken by God. Jesus was enduring the suffering and judgment of Hell for you and for me.”

As you reflect this Holy Week, consider a question the evangelist posed: How can you show gratitude to God for allowing His Son to endure the shame and suffering of the cross?

2. SACRIFICE

“The Bible says Jesus’ death was important because through it He became the final sacrifice for our sins. And by His resurrection from the dead Jesus conquered the powers of death and gives us hope for life beyond the grave. His resurrection also proves that He was the divine Son of God, who came from Heaven to save us and give us eternal life.” —Billy Graham

Easter invites us to honor the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross by examining our own lives.

This may mean removing distractions and anything that pulls our focus from the cross—whether habits, pleasures, or attachments, that divert our hearts from Christ. This season offers a special opportunity to set aside comforts and recalibrate our lives as we reflect on His sacrifice.  

But this practice isn’t just for Easter; it’s for every season in our lives. “In other words, if Christ means nothing to us most of the year, it may well mean that our faith is not real, and our sudden burst of religious activity isn’t genuine,” Billy Graham said. Living all year round with Jesus at the center of our lives allows us to honor His sacrifice through our words and actions.

3. SHARE

“The Bible teaches that you may be physically alive, and you may be soulishly alive, but spiritually dead.” —Billy Graham said.

Right now, there are over 8 billion people living on earth. But how many are truly alive?

“A dead person does not need a good example. He does not need just encouragement. He does not need better living conditions. He does not need a change of environment. He does not need more education,” Billy Graham wrote. “What does a dead person need more than anything else? A dead person needs life: eternal life; spiritual life. And Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life.’”

The Bible tells us that God loved us so much, that He gave His only Son, so in Him we can have eternal life. Billy Graham devoted his life not only preaching the Gospel, but also encouraging every believer to do the same.

“If people are spiritually dead, there is only one thing that they need; and that is spiritual life! Jesus said the reason He came into the world was to give people this life, and life ‘more abundantly,’” he said.

As Easter approaches, will you share the Good News of Jesus Christ with those in your life who are spiritually searching? Just as you have received the free gift of eternal life through Him, invite them to discover a new life in Christ as well.

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FREE EASTER DEVOTIONAL FROM BILLY GRAHAM 

As you prepare for Easter, we’d like to offer you a digital devotional from Billy Graham. We pray it draws your heart closer to Jesus Christ and equips you to share His unfailing hope and peace with others. Receive your free devotional today.