What happened 2000 years ago is what changes everything. For those of us who believe in the testimony of those who witnessed this event, what happened is not just a gruesome historical fact. We are not just affected because someone was crucified. A lot of people were crucified during that time. What affects us deeply is who was crucified, how He died, and what happened afterwards.
The person who was crucified was Jesus. He claimed to be the Messiah, the anointed One, the Son of God. He proved this both by His words and deeds. His first followers and His closest friends saw this played out right before their very eyes and they have written their testimonies (the Gospels) for us to know what happened and to believe in Jesus in order to be saved.
How He died is also described for us. Not so much how He suffered (the Gospel records don't describe it in as much detail as we see in the movies) but how He went through it from beginning to end and how He responded to those who were there at the cross while He was dying. He was not howling or screaming or cursing everyone, as would be the case for someone who was being crucified at that time. The seven last words that we hear preached during Holy Week, especially when it is rightly explained, gives us a powerful testimony of Jesus, the Righteous One. He was not just dying; He was dying for the sins of the world.
More than that, what happened three days after has changed everything. From now on, death no longer has the last say. Jesus rose again from the dead, proclaiming the good news that through faith Him we don't need to fear death anymore. We can now live in freedom, experiencing eternal life even while we are still living our earthly life, fulfilling His purpose for us, and becoming like Him to the glory of God. One day, we too will be resurrected and we will inherit a new heaven and new earth. The Holy Spirit is given to those of us who believe as a deposit guaranteeing what is to come.
When you have come to understand and believe these things, the world in all its pride and arrogance no longer attracts you. You want to pursue God and be devoted to Jesus together with others. Walking away from the faith, dechurching yourself, cutting off your relationship with God's people, especially the church community where God has called you to grow together with, will be far from your mind. Even though you might encounter fellow believers who are not perfect, and you stumble because of them, you know in your heart that Jesus lived, died, and rose again for each of us. We are all on a journey toward Jesus our Savior. Let us hold hands together, forgiving each other, and loving each other, because of who Jesus is and what He has done for us. To God be the glory!