Jesus and Easter Sunday

The Christian holiday of Easter is right around the corner. Churches across the country will be filled with Christian families participating in Easter sunrise services. Parks will be swarming with children searching for colored Easter eggs. Families will partake in elaborate meals with Easter ham as the main course. Easter is the Holiest day on the Christian calendar. This day is a commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus three days after His crucifixion. Easter has been part of the Christian Church for centuries; but what does the Bible say about celebrating this holiday?

1.) Are the words ‘Easter Sunday’ found in the Bible?
No. “Easter, the English term, according to the Venerable Bede (De temporum ratione, I, v), relates to Eostre, a Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring…” The term Sunday is derived from Sunne, German goddess of the sun, which is where the word ‘sun’ also derives its name.

2.) Where in the Bible is the date for Easter Sunday determined?
It isn’t. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal (spring) equinox. If the first full moon falls on the equinox, Easter is the following Sunday. In Western Christianity, Easter can fall on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. This method of determining the date of Easter Sunday was a established by the Roman Catholic Church.

3.) When did Jesus establish Easter Sunday as a holiday for His followers to observe?
He didn’t. Easter Sunday was formally recognized as a Christian holiday by the Roman Catholic Church in 325 CE (The First Council of Nicea). Many of the traditions associated with Easter were adopted from Pagan equinox celebrations. These traditions include Hot Cross Buns, Easter Ham, Easter Rabbits, Easter Eggs, Easter Lilies and Easter Sunrise Service. The mixture of these Pagan traditions assisted in making Christian theology more acceptable to Pagans.

4.) What does God say about using Pagan worship practices when worshiping Him?
“…do not inquire after their gods, saying, ‘How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?’ You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.” — Deuteronomy 12:30-32

1. Do not inquire after their gods in order to do likewise.
   In other words, do not look at what the pagans are doing in order to do the same for God. He is a jealous God and He has told us how to worship Him.
   
2. Do not behave thus toward God.
   When the Children of Israel made the golden calf (Exodus 32:4), they were not worshiping it. They were worshiping God through the calf as they ‘partied’ (Exodus 32:6).
   
3. Be careful to do what I command.
   God is very clear that He wants us to do things His way. He has a plan that He is revealing through His Word and His festivals. We will lose site of Him if we participate in pagan rituals.
   
4. Do not add to nor take away from what I have commanded.
   At the golden calf event (Exodus 32:5), the Children of Israel were trying to establish a “feast to the Lord” that God did not command. The came up with their own way of worshiping Him that probably had some pagan influence. How did God react toward this? He wanted to destroy them. (Exodus 32:10)
   

WWJD?
He wouldn’t do Easter.

~*~

The Blog Beginneth

The purpose of this Blog is to discuss:

1. the Jewishness of Jesus.
   
2. the teachings of the Apostles through an ‘Hebraic’ perspective.
3. the customs and beliefs of the Christian Church today.
4. what would Jesus actually do today?
   

All this and more.

E.R.