This weekend, as you know, Christians will be celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. But not everyone, some Christians included, completely understand the complete meaning behind Jesus' death and resurrection.
When I was very young, before I became a teenager, it was a time to dress up, wear a hat, and put on your best gloves. Yes, we used to wear gloves ages ago when I was young. My family didn't attend church with me, except for a cousin who was a couple of years older than I, but she sat with her friends and not with me. I learned a bit in Sunday School about this time of Jesus' resurrection and also from the pastor's sermons. But I was an adult before it all reached my heart and soul and I understood the enormity of the sacrifice of Jesus' shed blood on my behalf while He was on the cross.
I prefer to call this Resurrection Sunday because the term "Easter" is of pagan origin; it was an ancient festival of Ishtar (pronounced "Easter") and this festival celebrated reproduction or fertility, with the symbols of the rabbit and of eggs. The Christian church adopted some of those symbols, which is tragic. For instance, Easter egg hunts are held on church property. You can Google for more information on this subject, as I wish to dwell on the Resurrection here.
Some people want to make a big deal as to whether Jesus was crucified on a Wednesday or a Thursday instead of the commonly accepted Friday. They claim there were other Sabbath days observed that did not fall on a Saturday , which is very true. Here is a link http://www.gotquestions.org/three-days.html which explains each viewpoint as to the day.
The point is not all these above mentioned issues, but the wonderful good news that Jesus died to take the punishment we sinners deserve. Putting our faith and trust in Him means we may gain eternal life; and since He arose from the dead, we too will be resurrected if we die before the Rapture of the Church occurs. We should be filled with wonder and awe when we consider Jesus' resurrection, and the great love which He displayed in dying in our place. His sacrifice enables us to be forgiven of our sins, and to live a godly life in obedience to the Almighty God.
"Jesus answered and said unto him,Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" - John 3:3
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16
Think about it, no other religious leader or any other religion is able to claim a risen Savior. The disciples saw and communicated with the risen Christ; they were convinced He was resurrected and that He was the prophesied Messiah; so much so that they were willing to be beaten, to be put in prison, and to suffer a martyr's death because of their bold preaching and their strong faith.
Christians today need to be so bold; we need to live our lives as if we truly believe He is risen and thereby live godly lives and not compromise with the world and its soon to disappear lusts and desires. 1 John 2:15-17.
Below is a lovely hymn about the risen Christ:
"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?
- John 11:25-26
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