Three distinct elements make up Resurrection Sunday.

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? — Matthew 26:53

Think of Easter and too often what comes to mind are Easter bunnies, colorful eggs, and plastic grass. We’ve become distracted by the insignificant and forgotten what’s most important: Cross, the Blood, and the Empty Tomb.

How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God! — Hebrews 9:14

Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! — Romans 5:9

In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace . . . — Ephesians 1:7

It is through the blood of Christ that we are brought near to God (see Ephesians 2:13). It is the blood that frees us from sin and makes us a kingdom of priests (see Revelation 5:1-6).

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. — Matthew 28:6

Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? . . . But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fall. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. — 1 Corinthians 15

First the Cross, then the Blood, then the hope—the confident assurance that we will one day rise again to take our place in God’s eternal kingdom.

This Easter let’s remember the willing sacrifice on the Cross that redeems us, the cleansing blood that cleans us, and the empty tomb that fills us with hope.