What Easter Is All About?
Year after year, across the globe, Easter is being celebrated on the first Sunday after the first fourteenth day of the moon, on or after the ecclesiastical vernal equinox. In the Philippines, holiday begins on (Maundy) Thursday to give time for families to reflect about their faith. Thru the years, however, the holiday became a time to enjoy beaches and other local resorts.
The Non Christian Easter
According to holidays.net, the name Easter is thought to come from the Scandinavian “Ostra” and the Teutonic “Ostern” or “Eastre,” both goddesses of mythology signifying spring and fertility. Traditions associated with the festival survive in the Easter rabbit, a symbol of fertility, and in colored easter eggs painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring. Easter is the time of springtime festivals, a time to welcome back the tulips, the crocuses and the daffodils. Its a time of new suits, new dresses and patent leather shoes.
So if you are wondering where the Easter bunny and Easter eggs came from, well it is a symbol representing the gods of the spring and fertility passed on from generations to generations.
The Christian Easter
It was believed that Easter Sunday is not a religious festival passed on by Jesus to the apostles, rather, the “innovation” of the “post 12 apostles” era or what history calls the early church. This is the reason why some reformist on the Christian circle have rejected the Easter celebration because of it’s association to the springs and fertility feasts of what they call “pagans”.
The Christian Easter, in contrast with the celebration of fertility and springs, is a celebration of Jesus resurrection from the dead. Jesus resurrection, after his suffering and death at the cross, distinguishes itself from other religious belief. While the proponents of other religion are now all dead, Jesus is alive.
What’s In It For Us If Jesus Rose From The Dead?
Well, a lot. But these are meaningless unless a person received these gifts by faith. And according to Hebrews 11:1 .. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Now, what can we gain from Jesus resurrection?
- Ability to experience the reality of God. Jesus is not a concept nor thought, He is as real as the air we breath. What people experienced during his time on earth, can still be experienced today.
- Victory over death. Not that Christians will not die, but their dead body will rise, if the rapture will not come anytime soon, and will have a glorified body similar to Jesus.
- Victory over slavery. No one can claim they are free if they can not walk away from unhealthy relationships, unhealthy habits and behavior that tends to undermine respect for the dignity of life and property.
- Ability to lead by example. As a husband, parent, boss, employee etc. Finally, one can walk their talk.
- Ability to receive salvation. Jesus death is meant as payment for the woes due for the foolish decision of mankind. People only need to believe on what Jesus did and submit to his leadership.
- Ability to receive healing. Jesus can not only heal, he rose Lazarus from the dead as well.
- Ability to produce wealth. As new lifestyle is developed as a consequence to believing on Jesus, reliance on His leadership and compliance to his precepts, one can expect increased opportunity in business or promotions at work, thus generating more wealth.
So when we celebrate Easter every year, we have the option to follow the symbolism of bunnies and eggs, or the empty tomb. It’s our call.
Happy Easter everyone.
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