What is Easter?

Prayer – Lord, give me wisdom and discernment that I would not be deceived and drawn into pagan cultural practices.

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. Acts 12:1-5KJV (Underlined for clarity.)

 

Meditate. Consider God’s guidance in scripture. Read God’s word and listen to what He is saying.

 

Let’s take a step back a couple of days this week. What is the meaning of Easter versus Resurrection Sunday? The word “Easter” is only used once in all the Bibles and that is in the King James Version. It is translated as “Passover” in many places in the Old and New Testaments in the Strongs Concordance (G3957). This “Easter” didn’t even involve Jesus himself; it was about Peter—but they were recognizing Resurrection Sunday as Easter at the time of the King James translation. Resurrection Sunday is the day that Jesus Christ was resurrected from the dead.

 

Are you a Temple for the Holy Spirit?

I did a Goggle search and found, as in past discussions many years ago with Christian friends, that “Easter” was thought to be a pagan holiday celebrating fertility, thus the use of the eggs and bunnies. Many Christians have tried to justify the use of eggs at Easter as being a symbol of the “new life” that Christ offers in His resurrection. Is it? When I was growing up and with my own children, we always had hard boiled eggs and colored them. Where is the “new life” in that? Hard boiled eggs never “live” again, but they are tasty as deviled eggs! And all the plastic eggs now are filled with candy! Ugh! How can we be a Temple for the Holy Spirit if we don’t take care of our bodies? Is stuffing our faces …and those of our children, grandchildren and friends… with sugary treats healthy? Why do all the holidays, birthdays, and rewards for achievements involve those sweet indulgences. Candy, ice cream, cakes? So, what does this have to do with Easter and Resurrection? That is each person’s choice. Do you want to focus on Jesus and celebrate His Resurrection…or hop around like a bunny and get some Easter eggs and delicious candy treats that will rot your teeth and fatten your tummy? You have a whole year to make that decision—since we have just past Easter. Choose today for your future.

Verse of Salvation ~ "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life." Titus 3:4-7 NLT

 

© 2024 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. 

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

The Authorized Version or King James Version (KJV), 1611, 1769. Outside of the United Kingdom, the KJV is in the public domain. 

Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm. 

 

Books by Mickey M. Hunacek

Available as e-books or paperbacks at Amazon.com

 

Parenting Day By Day - Daily Devotional for Building Character

Coins in the Bible: New Testament Stories