Easter or Resurrection

[JimiSurvivor]

For about ten years the Evangelical Church I belonged to focus on Resurrection Day consisted entirely of the Pastor repeating the early proclamation of "He is risen" and the congregation responding "He is risen indeed" THAT IS ALL, nothing more, nothing less. While this certainly is something we should proclaim. Thematically the sermon was not specifically related to the Resurrection. This is in contrast to many Churches who spend the entire time going over the details of His death and Resurrection. It also contrasts with what I heard in my father's Church, in the Orthodox Church who would make the same proclamation but who would chant Chrysostom's Easter homily (a piece of history every Christian should listen to.)

I made it a point long ago to separate the celebration of "Easter" from all the encrusted traditions most of which seem to be of pagan origin Now I find that the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs are making a come back with adjustments in interpretations that make the season more palatable to true believers....for the Children. God forbid that children be jealous of the Easter Egg hunts enjoyed by other children. Even the name Easter should be rejected for its similarity to the pagan goddess of fertility Ishtar. I have heard many Christians act as apologists for Ishtar despite the fact she was the goddess of sex and fertility and her symbol is an egg. The Messianic Jews with whom I have been associated never called the most sacred season in the Christian year EASTER. They along with the Orthodox call it Pascha which comes from Passover.

 

[Maori_Aussie]

I now use the term "Paschal season" to note that other Christians might observe on different dates to me.

 

[KohenMatt]

No Easter or resurrection day for me due to the pagan origins as you mentioned. We do Passover as that is more accurate date-wise and Biblical.

 

[DeanM]

Easter egg hunts. Ive never believed that Jesus has a problem with children having fun running around and laughing looking for easter eggs.

 

[SonJudgment]

Well Easter is over now, Ascension Day is up next for the core Gospel holidays.

 

[Randy4u2c]

Easter is only mentioned once in the bible which was mistranslated in the book of Acts. The word in Greek was Paschal which only has one meaning, Passover. The people had a sexual orgy in the spring close to the time of Passover to honor Ishtar the goddess of fertility. The egg was symbolic of fertility and quick like a rabbit was also adopted as a symbol of the act. The churches brought these heathen practices into the church hoping to convert those that practiced such rituals. By doing so, they have polluted the meaning of the true Passover which Christ became when he died on the cross to take away the sins of the world.

Just as the death angel had to pass over the families of those that had their doorposts anointed with the blood of the Passover lamb, Satan in the end times will have to pass over those protected and sealed by the blood of Christ. This is the message the churches should be teaching instead of hunting eggs of fertility on the church lawns and giving out stuffed bunnies. I wonder what these pastors will have to say when they stand before the Lord to explain how eggs and bunnies got worked into their services?

 

[NewLifeInChrist]

For about ten years the Evangelical Church I belonged to focus on Resurrection Day consisted entirely of the Pastor repeating the early proclamation of "He is risen" and the congregation responding "He is risen indeed" THAT IS ALL, nothing more, nothing less. While this certainly is something we should proclaim. Thematically the sermon was not specifically related to the Resurrection. This is in contrast to many Churches who spend the entire time going over the details of His death and Resurrection. It also contrasts with what I heard in my father's Church, in the Orthodox Church who would make the same proclamation but who would chant Chrysostom's Easter homily (a piece of history every Christian should listen to.)

Easter is about Jesus entering the strong man's house, destroying him, and plundering his goods...

14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. (Heb 2:14–15)​

He had to become a man so that He could die. He had to die to enter the strong man's house. Having entered death itself, He destroyed the one who had the power of death. And upon the destruction of the devil, He released those who he subjugated to death.

But being God in the flesh, it was not possible that death could hold Him...

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know—23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. (Ac 2:22–24)​

Triumphantly, He rose from the dead, ascended into Heaven, is drawing all people to Himself.

So let the kids have their Easter egg hunts. But tell them about the only One who could have possibly entered death and conquored it on our behalf. Thank you Lord for being willing to do this for us!!!!