The cross, its weight unknown, was likely heavy enough to make a healthy man struggle, but for Jesus, who had been badly beaten, the weight was too much. He fell.

And just as Jesus’ tired and injured body succumbed to the weight of the cross, man falls every day, said the Rev. Dan Glenn, pastor of First Baptist Church in Vidalia.

But because Jesus carried the cross, was crucified on the cross and was raised from the dead, Glenn said, man has hope.

“When Jesus went to the cross, he carried the weight of all our sins to the cross,” Glenn said. “Every sin that I’ve ever committed, every sin you have ever committed, Jesus carried them.”

And Jesus sacrificed himself for a purpose, Glenn said — to give eternal life to those who follow him.

“I think sometimes we celebrate Easter as a time of year and don’t understand the weight and purpose and importance of what happened — of what Jesus did for us,” Glenn said.

He said the message of Easter is one to be celebrated on Easter Sunday for sure, but cannot be forgotten once the day has passed. The message of hope Easter provides is one that should be carried on every day of the year.

“Celebrating the holiday of Easter helps people focus,” he said. “But what happened on those days is important to our lives, our eternity, every day.”

And Jesus, because he sacrificed himself, has made the gift of eternity attainable for all, Glenn said.

“All Jesus asks is that we accept him into our hearts so we can have forgiveness,” Glenn said.

And, like Glenn, the Rev. Darian Duckworth, pastor at Grace United Methodist Church, said that while only one Sunday each year is designated as Easter Sunday, each day should be a celebration.

Duckworth said the fulfillment of prophecy that took place with Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection gives followers faith and hope.

“The reason to celebrate is because everything Jesus promised and taught us came to fulfillment on this day,” she said. “And that is something that can be taken and celebrated throughout the year.

“The Easter story is such a message of hope and comfort.”

Duckworth said hope and comfort provided by faith in God and Jesus is something that lasts year round.

“It is important that people know they have the church and scriptures to count on during difficult times, during all times,” she said.

The Rev. John Larson, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Natchez, said celebrating the resurrection of Jesus is not enough. The Bible, Larson said, calls Christians to listen for the call of God and act.

Larson said just as Jesus had to call Mary Magdalene by name to be recognized, sometimes Christians have to “have their eyes opened.”

Larson said the message of the resurrection is that “Christ is still living in out midst.”

“We celebrate Easter, but we aren’t supposed to simply stop there,” Larson said.

Once Christians are aware of the presence of God, Larson said, they must share the story of hope — the Easter story.

Larson said just as Peter was called to visit Cornelius, a centurion in the Roman army, in the book of Acts in the Bible, Christians are called to spread the message of the gospel.

Larson said many times follower of Christ are reluctant to spread the message because it takes them out of their comfort zone. Larson said Peter’s call to visit Cornelius was no different. Larson said Peter had some worry about visiting Cornelius, but God told Peter to go and Peter went.

“We have to wake up to the presence of God in our midst,” Larson said. “We have to do things and go places that we don’t normally do or go.

“Peter had nothing in common with (Cornelius), but the scripture says in effect that Peter opened him eyes to God and salvation in Christ.”

Larson said the faith Peter showed by visiting and preaching to Cornelius is the type of faith that is needed from Christians today.

“We, as Christians, have to do out part,” Larson said. “That is to not keep these (Easter) events and experiences to ourselves. We have to have our eyes and ears open to hear the call and share the great stories with others.”