What is it that makes Easter important?
What is the significance of Easter? Is it the customs we celebrate
or the images that are portrayed? None of these are what make the
Easter important. It is not even the day that Easter falls on that
is of any importance. We can say this because the dates for Easter
change depending upon the phases of the moon. It is not even the
name "Easter" that makes it important. If we look back, we can clearly
see that all the above was based on pagan practices, on their feasts.
It was only once Christianity spread throughout the world that this time
was related to the death and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Let's take a closer look at all we associate with Easter and see of what
importance they really are.
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As children many of us have placed great importance upon the "Easter Bunny." We go to bed and dream of all the chocolate and presents which the Easter Bunny brings. Let's face it though, this symbol has nothing to do with the Christian celebration of Easter. It is a pagan symbol that was worship due to its capacity to reproduce. Therefore, we know without doubt that the Easter Bunny has no importance at all to this celebration. |
Another thing from childhood which was of importance is the "Easter Egg." Again, this dates back to pagan ritual when rites were attached to egg and it was held in high esteem. The egg was a symbol of fertility and sunlight because of the color of its' yoke. It was often given as gifts, especially at the time of the vernal equinox, which is the pagan spring festival. Eggs, did become an important part of the Christian celebration later on. There was even a special prayer for the egg, said by priests. Christians thought of the egg in terms of the resurrection, the beginning of a new life. Many eggs were dyed red at this time, symbolizing the blood of Christ. So, once again, we can see that in reality the egg has nothing to do with Easter, but is of pagan origin. |
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It is certainly not the celebration that makes Easter important. We can say this with all clarity and truth because many Churches did not really celebrate Easter, Christmas or other church festivals due to their pagan roots. The Presbyterian Church was actually the first one to start celebrating and observing Easter on a regular basis, and this occurrence began during the Civil War. So from this we can see that it is not the celebration that is of importance, but how one observes the celebration. (Colossians 2:16-17) Let no one then, call you to account for what you eat or drink or in regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.
Can we say with all honesty that it is the day we celebrate that is important? This again is false. How can it be the day, when Easter does not necessarily fall at the same time each year. For many years Easter was not even celebrated on the same day as different cultures had their own calendar. It must be remembered that the Gregorian and Julian had a ten-day difference in their dates. Due to the calendar changes, the exact date of Jesus Resurrection is not known, but we do know that it was a Sunday. (St. Luke 24:1-7 But on the first day of the week at early dawn, they came to the tomb, taking the spices that they had prepared, and they found the stone rolled back from the tomb. But on entering, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, while they were wondering what to make of this, that, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling raiment. And when the women were struck with fear and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he spoke to you while he was yet in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." So once again, we can see that the actual day is of little significance.
There are many other customs and reasons that
people could give, saying that is the importance of Easter.
For me, the importance of Easter is no other than our Lord Jesus Christ.
Easter is the time to remember all he suffered for us as. It is a
time to reflect on the reasons why he died and the significance of his
death and resurrection and how they impact on our lives. There
are three very important symbols of Easter that all relate to Jesus.
Let's take the time to look at them and what their actual meaning is.
| "CROWN OF
THORNS"
(John 19:2-7) "And the soldiers, plaiting a crown of thorns, and put it upon his head, and arrayed him in a purple cloak. And they kept coming to him and saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" and striking him. Pilate therefore again went outside and said to them, "Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in him. Jesus therefore came forth, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple cloak. And he said to them, "Behold the man!" When, therefore, the chief priests and the attendants saw him, they cried out, saying "Crucify him! Crucify him! Pilate said to them, "Take him yourselves and crucify him I find no guilt in him." The Jews answered him, "We have a Law, and according to that law he must die, because he made himself the Son of God". |
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The "crown of thorns" signifies the pain, suffering, abuse and the cruel manner in which Jesus was treated by the soldiers, as well as the disbelief of many who did not accept him as God's son. Jesus was literally tortured by the soldiers, they scorned him, they used physical abuse toward him, hitting him about the head with clubs and sticks causing the thorns to press deeper into the scalp. (St. Mark 15:19) And they kept striking him on the head with a reed, and spitting upon him; and bending their knees, the did homage to him. So it is easy to see why the "crown of thorns" is of so much importance. It was placed upon him because people did not believe him to be the Son of God. All of this suffering, abuse, pain and taunting he went through for us, for you and for me. He endured this torture because of our sins. So when you see a picture of Jesus with the "crown of thorns" about his head, remember the importance of this crown and exactly what it symbolises, "pain, torment and suffering." Remember he paid for our crimes. He was tortured because of our immoralities. It is because of his stripes, his blood that we are healed. (1 St. Peter 3:18) Because Christ also died once for sins, the Jus for the unjust, that he might bring us to God. Put to death indeed in the flesh, he was brought to life in the spirit."
"THE CROSS"
The account of Jesus death can be found in the
following Scriptures: (St. Matthew 27:45-56); (St. Mark 15: 23-41)(St.
Luke 23 33-49) ( St. John 19: 25-30). In reading all
thes Scriptures it describes how Christ died on cross of Calvary
for one purpose, to pay for our sins. (1 Corinthians 15: 3) For I
delivered to you first of all, what I also received, that Christ died for
ousr sins according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3).
Jesus is the only one who can save us from death, for he paid for our sins.
The blood of Christ is the only payment God will accept, therefor we must
accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior. (Acts 4:12) Neither is there
salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to
men by which we must be saved.
(1 St. Peter 1: 18-19) You know that you
were redeemed from the vain manner of life handed down from your fathers,
not with perishable things, with silver or gold, but withthe precious blood
of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
That cross was a heavy price to pay for our sins.
It was a slow torturous death, a cruelty that causes me to shudder just
thinking of it. When you think of the cross and what it means,
remember who bore this cross and why. Remember. Jesus
even though in a weakened state from previous torment was made to carry
this cross on his shoulders, through the streets to Calvary where he was
to be crucified. Think of the excruciating pain he must have felt
as they, nailed those spikes through his body securing him to the cross.
Remember as he hung on that cross, hour after hour, the words he spoke
to his Father, (St. Luke 24: 34) And Jesus said "Father forgive
them for they do not know what they are doing." (St.
Luke 23: 46-47) "Father into thy hands I commend my spirt" and having
said this, he expired. Now when the centurion saw what had happened,
he glorified God, saying, "Truly this was a just man." So
now we can see why the cross is an important Easter symbol. As a
final remembrance, be grateful to Jesus for loving us so much to endure
the pain, the suffering for our weaknesses as he died on the cross.
Yes, the cross is important, because that cross which Jesus carried and
was crucified upon bore the sins of the world. It is through
the blood of Jesus as he hung on that cross that our sins can be forgiven
and eternal life extended to all who choose to receive Jesus as their personal
Savior. (St. John 3:16) For God so love the world that
he gave his only-begotten Son, that those who believe in him may not perish,
but may have life everlasting.
Tomb where Jesus was buried. |
Stone which covered the entrance to Tomb where Jesus was buried |
THE RESURRECTION
Read the following chapters from the Bible which speak all about the Resurrection of Jesus. (Matt 28:1-15; Mark 16:1-16; Luke 24;1-29; John 20:1-21)
The Resurrection of Jesus is extremely important, for it proved that he was who he claimed to be, "The Son of God." (Romans 1:4) who was foreordained Son of God by an act of power in keeping with the holiness of his spirit, by resurrection from dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. By his resurrection, it clearly shows that not only did he rise from the dead, but, he is alive now and always will be. It points out the acceptance of God that his only Son be sacrificed for our sins, for if God has truly wanted, he could have prevented this act from taking place. (Acts 13:33-35) God has fulfilled to our children in raising up Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm. *Thou art my son this day have I begotten thee. And to show that he has raised him up from the dead never again to return to decay he has said thus, I will give you the holy and sure promises of David. Because he says also in another Psalm. Thou will not let thy Holy One undergo decay. It also certifies that one day we also will be raised, to be like Him. (1 Corinthians 15: 51-52). Behold I tell you a mystery; we shall all indeed rise, but we shall not all be changed - in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For that trumpet shall sound and all the dead shall rise incorruptible and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15: 54-57) But when this mortal body puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory! O death, where is thy victory? O death where is thy sting?" Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law. But thanks be to God who has given us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our salvation is assured if we believe in the Lord and the Resurrection of Jesus. (Romans 10:9-10) For if thous confess with thy mouth that Jesus is the Lord, and believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart a man believes unto justice and with the mouth profession of faith is made unto salvation. So now we can see why the Resurrection if of such importance, it assures of eternal life, if we so choose.
Conclusion
In closing you can now see why these three symbols
"The Crown of Thorns", "The Cross" and "The Resurrection",
are of such significance. All three point to one and the same,
they all show that there is hope through the acceptance of "JESUS
CHRIST OUR LORD AND SAVIOR". They alone tell the story
of why Jesus died for us. They assure us of the unconditional
love which God has for each and every person. They tell the truth
about forgiveness of sin and eternal life.
If there are any of you having read this who does
not know our Lord Jesus or have never accepted him into your lives, why
not think about it now. There is no greater love than what
the Lord has for us. Why not give him the chance to show you the
difference he can make in your life, for if you let him, he can and will
make a change. That is not to say your life will be any easier as
a Christian, but, you will know that he is always there, that he will not
abandon you, that you will never be alone again for he is with you always.
You will know your sins are forgiven and that eternal life is yours.
So, give the Lord a chance now, ask him into your life to forgive your
sins, walk in his footsteps. I can guarantee that this is not a decision
you will regret making.
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