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Sunday, March 27, 2016

WHAT IS EASTER TO YOU?

Chocolate eggs and bunnies fill the shops.

Hollywood blockbusters fill TV schedules.

But try to find a religious card and you will be busy until Christmas.

Many people do not know the story of Easter and many others believe in the paranormal more than in God.

The idea of Jesus is challenging to many. 

Say you believe He rose from the dead after having been asked in a secular situation,

and you can expect condescending smiles.

To encounter Jesus is existentially challenging. It can be scary and uncomfortable.  



It is much safer in today's society to say you are an atheist.

I love munching on chocolate bunnies

and hiding colored eggs for the children to hunt for as much as the next guy.

But on Martin Luther King's Birthday, I like to think on the man and what he represented and what it cost him.

Likewise the same with Jesus on Christmas and Easter.



Did you know the word “Easter” doesn’t have anything to do with the Christian celebration?

It is derived from the name of a German deity, Estre or Ostra.

She was the goddess of the rising sun and spring, and was celebrated in springtime festivals.

Bunnies represent fertility and are associated with the re-awakening of the land in springtime.

Bunnies were first associated with Easter celebrations in the 1500s,

and by the early 1800s, German bakers were selling Easter bunnies made from chocolate and pastry.

The tradition of the Easter Bunny bringing gifts to children Easter morning is also from Germany, where he was known as Oschter Haws.

Initially, the bunny left his treats in a nest made for him by children.

 Later, the tradition merged with the notion of the Easter basket.

Most people who walk beside you on the street or drive past you on the highway are not religious.

They doubt that a historical Jesus even existed. 

If a religious teacher did offend the powers-that-be 2000 years ago and get himself executed, it means less than nothing to them.

They will shake their head at you in scorn if you ask them if they believe Jesus rose from the dead.

The Apostle Paul wrote about the importance of the resurrection in his letter to the Corinthians:

"If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith… if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”

You see, long ago we broke the terms to our lease on Eden.  We got evicted.  Jesus paid the back rent and rose from the dead as concrete proof that He had done it.

Still, Easter holds a significant message for us all, religious or not.

It's a message of hope and reconciliation.

"Jesus Christ risen from the dead."

there is life after death but more than that it's the possibility of forgiveness and a new start.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?

15 comments:

  1. I believe that Christ died on the cross for our sins, died for each and every one of us. He rose from the dead, and promises each and every one of us eternal life in Paradise, if we choose to believe and follow him.

    Does being a Christian mean your life will be without trouble and strife? Not in the least, but it offers a path, a source of love and encouragement, and a drive to help and improve the lives of your family, neighbors and friends.

    Happy Easter to all!

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    1. Me, too, Terry. Hardships with Jesus are so much better than hardships without Him. :-)

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  2. Amen! I also believe in the Resurrection and Christ's blood covering our sins.
    Did you know that in a court of law, all it takes is two witnesses to confirm one's guilt? And yet, even after over five hundred people saw Jesus alive after his death, people don't believe...

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    1. We believers are becoming more and more a minority sadly. I believe people look for reasons NOT to believe than to believe. Sadder, televangelists and flawed pharisees make that easier and easier. :-(

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  3. "The idea of Jesus is challenging to many" spoke to my heart. I get it, the faith and love of Jesus giving everything he is, was and will be for the world and for me to be saved, but some cannot see. Satan continues his hold on humanity, but not forever. His time is running out, but so are those who are lost who choose not to believe. Your post is so meaningful and emotional for me, spilling from eyes.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. C.S. Lewis wrote: “Now is our chance to choose the right side.

      God is holding back to give us that chance.

      It won't last forever. We must take it or leave it.”

      We must choose wisely. Life slips through our fingers faster than we like to think about.

      I am glad you were moved by my post. Have a beautiful new week, Roland

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  4. I agree with Terry W. Ervin II. Well done, Mr. Ervin. When I was a child, we did not attend church. I associated Easter with my basket full of candy. I no longer think of candy on Easter. Oh, and I never have trouble finding Christian cards. Hallmark has a special section, and some Christian bookstores have cards. Take heart.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janie, thanks for the reinforcing comment :) I am very happy to read that you found Christ as you grew up.

      Candy and Easter, that's okay, as long as the true meaning comes through and is remembered. As I see it, Christianity doesn't = not having fun.

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    2. Janie, we no longer have a Hallmark store, but we still have a Christian book store thankfully. Like Terry, I am happy that you found your oldest friend who was waiting for you to discover Him.

      The life we share with Him allows us access to the best fun, right?

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  5. Hi Roland - I find the frivolity of any religious period not helpful ... we should at least respect the day ... I am Christian in an English way .. but that is a different culture ... and we are adapting here. Good Friday should be the day of quiet - but it was full on shopping - well not here.

    All the best - Hilary

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hilary, it does seem so many focus on the tinsel and forget the tree, right?

      We are a materialistic culture both here and in England I fear. My home burning down taught me material things do not last -- only love and friendship are true wealth in this world and the only treasures we can hope to find in the next.

      I am glad your Good Friday and Easter were peaceful, healing ones. :-)

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  6. Thanks, Terry, for following up with Janie. It is good to have a friend like you. :-)

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  7. Easter is Jesus' triumph over death. He rose from the grave. Now when we die, death cannot hold us either.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Jesus' rising from the grave is our "earnest" (a deposit made to a seller showing the buyer's good faith in a transaction)

      Because He lives, we know we will live beyond death as well as you say.

      Delete
  8. I believe that Jesus was a real man, and a good man, and that his death was a tragedy.

    While I'm not sure about the risen from the dead part, I am willing to attest to that much. :)

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