What is Easter really about?
We are getting excited for Easter. Signs of spring arriving, chocolate bunnies, Easter eggs and Easter baskets filled with goodies. A long weekend. Delicious meal with family. A much needed breath of fresh air, community and escape from winter.
When I was a little girl Easter was a huge event. Little girls received pretty new dresses, fancy hats and shinny patent leather shoes. The boys dressed up in new suit pants, white shirts and special shoes. Sunday morning we would get dressed and head to church in our new clothing. Still today we will see the pretty little girl dresses, gloves and hats arriving on shelves in the stores. We get excited for many reasons.
There are many stories shared about why we eat chocolate at Easter, why Easter eggs. These traditions go a long way back yet they have no bearing on why Christians celebrate Easter.
What is Easter really? What does the celebration of Easter mean? Why do we celebrate this occasion? Certainly not just for the chocolate Easter eggs and new Spring clothing.
Easter is a Christian celebration/ festival that marks the anniversary of Jesus’ resurrection. Easter is about having faith in the good news that Jesus defeated death for us and in so doing gives us victory over death. Easter is the most important event in the Christian calendar. We celebrate the gift of eternal life to all.
What is Good Friday? It is a day we observe with great faith and love as it is the day Jesus died on the cross for each one of us. He died to save us from our sins. His death made atonement for our sins, in that our sins have been forgiven.
In the Easter Season we recognize these four important dates;
Palm Sunday - The day we honour Jesus’ humble entry into Jerusalem to observe the Passover. Matthew 21:9 “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest”
Maundy Thursday - also known as Holy Thursday. Derived from the Latin word for “command”. Jesus’ gave a new commandment to his followers and disciples John 15:12 “Love one another as I have loved you”.
Good Friday - The day we commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion. John 3:16 “For God so loved the word He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Easter Sunday - Christians celebrate Easter Sunday as the day Jesus was resurrected. John 11:25-26 “Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even through they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
This Easter as you prepare with family to celebrate, to enjoy a delicious dinner, share chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs with each other, remember the real reason for this most important celebration. Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven. That He loved us so much, He died for our sins. He is the resurrection and the life.