What the world calls Easter

 


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The holiday on our calendar says Good Friday (at the time of this writing) and in two days, the world - in mass - will celebrate what has come to be called Easter Sunday. Nearly all nations, languages, and peoples will have many who will take time to remember the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus of Nazareth, the Christ. Hallelujah to that! Praise God that we have not lost Christ's being wholly! Praise God that we have not entirely cast to the side what Jesus did! Let us use this time as an opportunity to teach the Gospel message, to exhort each other, and to serve Him humbly in any and every way we can. After all, this particular miracle was absolute proof that Jesus was the Son of God and that He reigns with God (Matthew 22:44; Acts 2:33; Romans 8:34; Ephesians 1:20; Colossians 3:1; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 8:1; Hebrews 10:12; Hebrews 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22; Revelation 3:21).

What will we do? What shall we say then? Will we ignore the resurrection or will we accept that God and Christ wishes us - no commands us, to celebrate his resurrection and then obey that command? Will we accept Jesus as both Lord and Savior? The Savior part comes easy to many of us but that Lord part - it challenges us, doesn't it? God has expectations of us.

The memorial, the Lord's Supper, and its frequency, has a history that goes back to the beginning years of the church (Acts 2:42; 20:7), instituted by Christ himself (Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-30; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7). What we also see, in the early history of the church, is that the memorial (Lord's Supper) was partaken of every week (see Didache, Justin Martyr). The Scripture's "First day of the week" and/or "the Lord's Day" was and still is Sunday. Why Sunday? Because that is when Christ arose from the grave. The first century church (that church lead and taught by the Apostles) celebrated the resurrection every Sunday and partook of the Lord's Supper every Sunday. The church immediately following the apostolic years celebrated the resurrection every Sunday and partook of the Lord's Supper every Sunday. Now, if we believe that the Apostles were divinely inspired by the hand of God, guided by the Holy Spirit like no other beings, shall we cast their teaching to the side? Shall we cast their example by the side? Shall we cast aside those whom the Apostles themselves taught? Do we truly believe that the Apostles were directly chosen and guided by Christ/Holy Spirit or do we not? We must decide and act accordingly. To restate the points - the Apostles apparently taught and practiced the Lord's Supper and the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on the first day of every week - Sunday. Who are we to change that? We should accept what the Apostles taught and practiced. 

I do not know what all of us will do, but I do know what we should do. Celebrate this weekend, but especially Sunday. Use this weekend to renew our focus on Jesus as Lord: celebrating the resurrection and remembering Him through holy communion (Lord's Supper) every Sunday. Be blessed, praise God, and may your worship be pleasing to Him.

Scripture on the Lord's Supper: Matthew 26:17-30; Mark 14:12-25; Luke 22:7-38; John 13:1-30; Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7

Scripture on the resurrection of Christ: Matthew 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:1-8; John 20:1-9

Extra info: Easter is an unfortunate and inaccurate translation of a word in Acts 12:4. The Greek there is accurately translated Passover not Easter (pascha - the passover, the passover lamb. Mounce 4247 and Strong's 3957)

The full assurance of our faith: Hebrews 10: 23-25 - 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. ESV; Biblegateway.com; emphasis mine.


TJH, The Word Summary


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