RESURRECTION - Truth and Tradition
The Resurrection of Christ and Traditional Observances
With the "Easter Bunny" taking form in America's malls much like "Santa Claus," it is time for us to ask some serious questions about our religious observance of Easter.
Easter baskets are nice if they have chocolate eggs in them, but what do they have to do with the resurrection of our Savior?
Pagan beginnings have been ascribed to this event, with the probability of the very name Easter being a derivative of Ishtar, the Pagan spring festival.
Instead of using the term "Easter", some pastors refer to Resurrection Sunday, which is commendable, but still does not answer important questions.
Can we - should we - divorce ourselves from all observances which do not directly refer to the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Should we celebrate this day differently from any day, especially a Sunday, as a Christian rejoicing in His glorious victory over death?
Should we sing "Christ the Lord is risen today," or should we sing it every Sunday?
Most importantly: HAVE WE EVER THOUGHT ABOUT THESE QUESTIONS AS IMPORTANT IN OUR CHRISTIAN WALK?
"Set your affection on things above, not on things of the earth" might be a good place to start. The Greek word for "set your affection on" is phroneo, which can mean to interest oneself in. What is your interest level regarding the two occupations - spending several hours to color eggs or spending two hours in church. Which concerns you more - the clothing (and possibly the hat) you wear to church or your truly understanding the practical purpose of the resurrection of Christ?
Easter hymns have a vibrant sound and stirring words, and we might even have an opportunity to sing "He Lives." The only problem with that, as our song leader recently pointed out, is that it gives the wrong answer to the question posed.
One is asked how we know He lives, and the answer given is that "He lives within my heart."
Of course as a statement that is true, but as an answer it is false. I am grateful for feeling His presence in my life, but my knowing He lives is because He said, "I am He that liveth . . . and behold, I am alive forevermore."
How important to get it all right.
He was raised again for our justificaion. God's declaration that we have been justified would be hollow indeed had not God validated Christ's sacrificial death by His glorious resurrection. The price at Calvary was paid; the ransom price delivered to God by His resurrection.
We must understand the three phases of Christ's ministry, all culminating with His declaration of a finished work. We are told that He came to reveal God to us (John 1:14), and that, His mission on earth, was proclaimed finished in John 17:4.His job on earth was complete.
The next phase of His work was accomplished as He hung between Heaven and earth on the Cross. We read of this saving mission of Christ in Matthew 1:21, and it was complete when He uttered the words in John 19:30, It is Finished.
From earth He went to Heaven via His glorious resurrection and ascension, and we are assured that now He is involved with His third great ministry, that of heavenly intercession. We are assured in Hebrews 7:25 that He is able to save to the uttermost, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for us.
But some day this ministry will also be complete when God tabernacles with men, and He Who proclaimed "It is Finished" will announce "It is done" (Revelation 21:6).
As Christians we are called to be in the world but not of the world. The Easter celebrations that our religious world is involved in is shrouded with sentiment, sullied by commercialism, and rarely transmits to people what the resurrection is all about. Christianizing paganism has long been the task to which Roman Catholicism has dedicated itself, and this has grown into paganizing Christianity.
Praise God for what His resurrection means to you. Wear your Easter bonnet if you like; eat a chocolate egg or even a hollow bunny, but be absolutely certain your observance of this glorious fact of Christ's victory doesn't just become another hollow ritual observed by all religious folks - saved and unsaved alike.
Let's be different when the religious world celebrates Easter - and let's remember Resurrection throughout the year.