The Significance Of Easter In 2026: Local Pastors Weigh In

Though Easter is celebrated today in diverse ways by Christians and non-Christians alike, its historical significance is rooted in the biblical account of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With the holiday approaching, the Severna Park Voice staff reached out to several local church leaders for their comments regarding this question:

“For thousands of years, Easter has marked the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. What relevance does the resurrection of Christ have to those of us living in 2026?”

“As Easter approaches, I am reminded of the African American tradition of tarrying. It’s typically when family, friends and church family would surround the body of someone who is sick or actively passing away and begin to sing or pray. They were hoping and at times begging God to change the circumstance. This is where many Christians are on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Easter is a reminder that when all hope is lost, there is a God in heaven who has heard our prayers and not only declares he is the resurrection and the life; he shows us, because early Sunday morning, Jesus rose with all power and authority in his hands.”
Reverend Tori Butler
Asbury Town Neck United Methodist Church

“As we remember that Jesus was raised from the dead in history, it continues to hold out hope for us in 2026. Death seems so final. It wasn’t for Jesus, and it won’t be for those who trust in him. There’s hope of life beyond the grave. God says in his word, ‘He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead’ (1 Peter 1:3). We have a living hope in our living lord.”
Pastor Jon Pickens
Broadneck Evangelical Presbyterian Church

“The resurrection of Christ is central to our faith. ‘And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17).’ But we receive the promise that, ‘…in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep (1 Corinthians 15:20).’ Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, and his resurrection proves that he is who he said he was, and those who believe in him will be raised and have eternal life.”
Pastor Dan Allen
College Parkway Baptist Church

“The resurrection is relevant to us today because it tells us of God’s promise for this life. Through Jesus, we are told about a God who is with us, especially when we encounter hard times, face struggles, and yearn for healing and wholeness. The empty tomb proclaims a God who joined with us in our wounds so that we may be joined with God in healing, wholeness, and the promise of brand-new life — and that starts today in this life. If God is with us, then what can be against us?”
Pastor Matthew Beers
Our Shepherd Lutheran Church

“Our world is divided. That division extends even to our closest relationships. The Bible tells us the root of all division is our sin. But in the resurrection of Christ, we see that there is hope despite sorrow; there is life despite death; and there is unity despite brokenness because God has forgiven us. This Easter, may we look to Christ’s grace for forgiveness, and may we look to his example for unity and forgiveness with one another as well.”
Pastor Alex Bouffard
Saints Baptist Church

“Resurrection hope is oxygen to our soul. But our faults and sin suffocate the life God intends. So, we can’t have resurrection life without first dying to self and admitting our need of forgiving and strengthening grace. The good news is that Jesus loves the mess out of us. Putting our faith in God unites us to Jesus, making his resurrection power not just future hope after death, but present help in every difficulty or darkness we face. Because Jesus lives, we can face tomorrow, and every day afterward.”
Pastor David Brown
Severna Park Baptist Church

“We know that Christ, raised from the dead, dies no more; death no longer has power over him” (Romans 6:9). Because Christ is raised from the dead and dies no more, his resurrection is a “now” event for us. It has power now in 2026 to set us free from sin. It has power now in 2026 to raise us to new life with him. Easter means forgiveness of sins and new life in Christ for us now in 2026!”
Father Erik Arnold
St. John The Evangelist Catholic Church

“Being reminded that we are a ‘resurrection people’ is what gets me through so many difficult moments in life. I am not someone who believes that everything happens for a reason, but I am firmly planted in the belief that God can bring beauty out of even the ugliest situation. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus at Easter is the bells-and-whistles reminder of that truth that I need to face the uncertainties of my daily life with hope in a risen Christ.”
Reverend Lauren Holder
St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal Church

“The resurrection of Christ is the most pivotal moment in human history. It means that Jesus of Nazareth was more than a teacher, more than a philosopher, more than a prophet; he was and is the son of the living God, whose perfect moral life and perfect sacrifice on the cross mean forgiveness and our own resurrection, if you believe. Easter means there is living hope for tomorrow, and hope for where we will spend eternity. Jesus is alive; are you?”
Pastor Stephen Mitchell
Trinity Bible Church

“In one sense, the relevance of Christ’s resurrection is the same in 2026 as it has been since the first Easter morning: there is nothing that can contain or defeat God’s gracious, reconciling love, including death itself. But in a time when so many people feel that so many long-known and long-treasured things seem to be coming to an end, it is particularly comforting to be reminded that there is no end that is so dead that God cannot open it into a new beginning.”
Reverend J.C. Austin
Woods Memorial Presbyterian Church