By Bonita Wilborn
Easter is celebrated by an estimated two billion plus Christians around the world, but different parts of the world have different ways of celebrating Easter. Most Easter traditions are tied to themes of new life, new beginnings, or light: brightly colored lanterns are exchanged in Goa, India. A Brazilian town’s streets are covered with carpets made of flowers. In Bermuda, cross-shaped kites are flown.
One town in southern Italy celebrates with a “dashing Madonna,” representing Mary running to greet the risen Jesus. And, of course, Washington D.C. is famous for the White House Easter egg hunt.
Easter eggs, are eggs that are decorated for the Christian feast of Easter, which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus. As such, Easter eggs are common during the Easter season. The oldest tradition, which continues to be used in Central and Eastern Europe, is to use dyed and painted chicken eggs. Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, in Christianity, Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb from which Jesus was resurrected. In addition, one ancient tradition was the staining of Easter eggs with the color red “in memory of the blood of Christ, shed at that time of his crucifixion.
While Easter has largely become a mainstream holiday, its roots are in Christianity alone. With the commercialization of Easter, including candy sales, egg hunts, and appearances from the Easter bunny, it’s easy to overlook the true meaning of the holiday. Let’s explore the origins of Easter and the real meaning behind it.
In many streams of Christianity, Easter is even more important than Christmas. Why? Because it celebrates Jesus’ divinity and the purpose of His coming to the earth. The Easter holiday commemorates Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and His promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him.
The account of Jesus’ resurrection can be found in all four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John). Each author’s account of the story differs slightly due to the individual men’s differing perspectives. This can be compared to four people who witnessed an automobile accident. Each witness’ account would be exact from their perspective. However, some details might not be present in one person’s account , but would be prevalent in another’s account.
Matthew 28:1-7 “1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.”
Mark 16:1-7 “1 And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. 2 And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. 3 And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? 4 And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. 5 And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. 6 And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. 7 But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.”
Luke 24:1-9 “1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, 7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.
8 And they remembered his words, 9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.”
John 20:1-2, 6-7, 10-12, 19-22, 30-31 “1 The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. 2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the LORD out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. 6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, 7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. 10 Then the disciples went away again unto their own home. 11 But Mary stood without at the sepulchre weeping: and as she wept, she stooped down, and looked into the sepulchre, 12 And seeth two angels in white sitting, the one at the head, and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. 19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. 20 And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the LORD. 21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost: 30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: 31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.”
What is consistent across all four of the Gospels is that Jesus was previously in the tomb where He was buried after his crucifixion and that His body was mysteriously gone after three days.
For three days following His crucifixion, believers questioned whether Jesus was the Son of God. By all appearances, it seemed death had defeated Him. But upon His resurrection, He proved that He was not just a human but divine.
These accounts support the declaration of what Christians believe: that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to earth, died for the sins of humanity, and defeated the powers of death through His resurrection. Easter is the yearly celebration of this miracle and the hope for believers of their life in Christ, which includes the forgiveness of their sins and the promise of eternal life.
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