Ever since my Bible College days, I have always had an issue with people saying "Happy Easter" on what I call Resurrection Sunday. Just like Christmas, "Easter" had a double meaning for me as a kid. You went to Catholic Mass on Good Friday. On Saturday we all colored our "Easter Eggs." and I can still smell that vinegar that we mixed with the color tablets. On Sunday, we all got dressed in our Sunday best and went to Easter Mass as we celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Before Mass, we got up early and hoped the "Easter Bunny" came delivering the eggs we colored the day before along with "Easter Baskets" and a few gifts. We had to search around our house to find the eggs since the "Easter Bunny" was so good at hiding them The Easter Bunny's names were Pete & Rae in our house). After church, during the years we lived in New Jersey, we went to my Grandparents house in Secaucus, NJ and sometimes at my dad's aunt & uncles house...Aunt Gladys and Uncle Frank who also lived in Secaucus, NJ. I remember being very young and we had a huge snowstorm! We all had a nice dinner to celebrate, and the best part was we had a week off from school! That was it! But what exactly was it we were celebrating? Jesus dying on the cross for our sins or Peter Cottontail hopping down the bunny trail delivering eggs and chocolate bunnies to kids all across the world?
The word Easter, according to the dictionary is a celebration of Jesus' resurrection. But the word "Easter" never appears in the Bible. Just like Christmas, the retail world "back in the day" decided we could make money on this holiday. Even though the "Easter Bunny" was created in 1678 in German folklore to reward good behavior in children, it has certainly taken away the real meaning of this holiday. The retail world has made thousands of dollars selling chocolate bunnies, egg coloring kits and jellybeans across the globe. I often wonder if you asked people, "What is the meaning of Easter?' What would be their response? Would they say, "It's about celebrating the spring season and the newness of life." Or how about, "The Easter Bunny brings eggs, chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and colored eggs to all the boys and girls who are well behaved".
Why is it that whenever you mention the name Jesus to people, they get offended. When you mention Buddha, Ghandi or Mohhamed they just think you are weird. The name JESUS has always made people feel uncomfortable. Why is it that we have to create an alternative to the Christmas and Easter holidays, but when it comes to the month of June, we celebrate 30 days of "Pride: with no alternative. We have to accept it all. Jesus gets two days and others get a whole month. Why is it that we brush over one of the greatest events in the history of mankind, Jesus dying on the cross and rising again on the third day but because we don't want people "offended," we focus on a bunny, tell kids he is visiting each home and enjoy your candy and goodies! Why is it that if I yell out at my job at Trader Joe's, "Easter is all about the death and resurrection of Jesus", that is offensive to people, and I could get fired doing that. Yet, a Drag Queen is allowed to go into a library and read a book to kids about Drag Queens and openly sharing their lifestyle with these kids. No one is taking offense to that, and it is encouraged in America. Sorry, but I don't get it! Even this past week, an NBA basketball player shared his opinion of Pride Day, and everyone is saying he is mentally ill. WOW!
I certainly hope one day people we will all wake up as a country and realize what Easter, I mean Resurrection Sunday is really all about. The movie "A Passion for the Christ" was extremely graphic in depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. In my honest opinion, I don't think it was merely half as bad as to what Jesus really went through when he was crucified on the cross of Calvary. The whippings, beatings and punishment Jesus took for us was for our benefit. He took our place on that old, rugged cross for your sins and mine so that we could inherit eternal life through Him. Our debt was paid for us as the Roman soldiers nailed his hands and feet to the cross. They slapped him, spit on him, mocked him and beat him. They even struck a spear in his side. He didn't fight back because he knew he needed to show everyone he was and will always be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This will always be the greatest event in the history of mankind! When I became a Born-Again Christian, everything changed for me. I looked forward to going to church and celebrating the death and resurrection of Jesus! What an amazing demonstration of love!
So, to conclude, thanks but no thanks Mr. Easter Bunny. All that stuff is fun and the kids love it. I used to do an Easter Egg Hunt at my church for preschoolers to get families to attend church. It was fun but it's not what Easter is about. Chocolate bunnies, jellybeans and colored eggs will never compare to what took place on Mt. Calvary as Jesus was crucified, died, his body was placed in a tomb, and he rose again on that third day. That is why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday every spring! Let's never forget about this great celebration. It should be something we celebrate every single day. I pray you have a blessed Resurrection Sunday, and I pray you accept Jesus Christ into your heart. Always remember how much he loves you! His free gift of eternal life is for all who accept and receive Him. Don't let a day go by without knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior!
HAPPY RESURRECTION SUNDAY EVERYONE!!
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