BibleSponge

Before I start, let me preface this message by telling you that there is nothing wrong with celebrating the resurrection or Jesus Christ. His resurrection is essential for the Christian faith to exist. Duh?! So why am I telling you this? As we hold up typical church and cultural Easter traditions, there will be some things that will sound so crazy and off the wall. However, once we examine them along side the Bible, you’ll quickly see that the world and even the church have been a bit off the mark at this time of the year.

Not Mentioned

Easter is not biblical. Lent is not biblical. That’s right. Easter and Lent are not biblical. As a matter of fact, I challenge you to find ‘Easter’ in the bible. I’ll save you the time, it’s not in there. Actually, it is in the KJV bible, erroneously translated I might add. The original Greek word ‘pascha’ is correctly translated in every other version of the bible, including the NKJV, as ‘Passover’.

Some of you may have heard or attended a church that celebrates Lent. Please understand that I do not mean to offend, but to inform. You see, the idea of Lent comes from Jesus’ 40-day wilderness fast when He gave up His divine power to experience humanity fully.

So what’s the big deal? Well, let’s see what the Big Guy has to say about the matter of all these extra traditions that supposedly celebrate Him.

beware that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How do these nations serve their gods, that I also may do likewise?' "You shall not behave thus toward the LORD your God, for every abominable act which the LORD hates they have done for their gods; for they even burn their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods. "Whatever I command you, you shall be careful to do; you shall not add to nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:30-32)

As a matter of fact, the word ‘Easter’ comes from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘Eostre’, which is the goddess of spring. In her honor, sacrifices were made at the time of the spring equinox.

So why all the fuss? My issue with all this is that so many Christians get so wrapped up in this self-made traditions and rituals, and allow them to get in the way of the true biblical meanings and observances at this time of year. We’re more concerned about what kind of candy to get Johnny than how we can fully explain the death and resurrection to our kids.  Bottom line is that neither the apostles or the Gospels teach the observance of Easter.  Nor did Jesus give us a law requiring us to celebrate this feast. Most of these traditions were created by man.

So how did Lent and Easter get into the mix? A 2nd century theologian Irenaeus was witness in a letter he sent to Rome that some early Roman bishops banned the observance of Passover on the 14th of Nisan. Just one problem here, that was the actual day that Jesus and the apostles practiced the observance each year. When they banned it, that’s when Lent and Easter were introduced into Christian practice.

Passover

• Started in Exodus (Exodus 12:1-13)
• Jesus’ death takes place of sacrificial lamb
• Matthew 26:26-28
• Annual reminder of Jesus’ sacrificial death
• Christ actually commands us to celebrate His death not His resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:23-28)

Feast of Unleavened Bread

• 1 Corinthians 5:8
• Focuses on Christian’s need to live in sincerity, truth and purity

Why Can’t We Count?

Jesus did not die on Good Friday. Now while I believe that intentions are good, they are severely misled. Has anyone here ever wondered why in Matthew, Jesus says that,

‘for just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth’ (Matthew 12:40)

but there’s only a couple days from Friday to Sunday? Umm, that is kind of in contrast of what He said. Do we not think Jesus, the Savior of mankind, could count to three? I do.

So how do we get three days out of Friday to Sunday? You don’t. Jesus wasn’t crazy. Look at these 3 pieces of scripture:

• Matthew 12:39-40
• Matthew 17:23
• Matthew 20:19

To me, it’s pretty clear that He will be crucified, die and rise again on the third day. I can tell you that the whole Good Friday-Easter Sunday explanation is tradition without biblical foundation.

So how did it happen? Luke 23:44 tells of Christ’s time on the cross and the darkening from the 6th to the 9th hour, or noon to 3 pm our time. Now you have to understand that this was just before a high holy day and the Jews wanted the bodies taken down. So we know that He was to be entombed within the next few hours before the approaching Sabbath (John 19:31).

Here’s where it gets interesting. First, we have to get a hold of something that most people overlook. There were 2 Sabbaths. Let’s compare Mark 16:1 and Luke 23:56. Mark tells us that the women bought the spices ‘when the Sabbath was past’. Luke on the other hand tells us that ‘they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.’ How could they have bought spices after the Sabbath and then prepared them and rested on the same Sabbath?

The only explanation is that there were 2 Sabbaths involved. The first was the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Exodus 12:14-22), which fell on Thursday that year. So they started observing it on Wednesday evening until its completion on Thursday evening. Then, Friday, they purchased the spices and oils for His body. Friday evening they had to rest as it was the beginning of the weekly Sabbath until Saturday night. Then, Sunday, they went to the tomb at sunrise.

Finally, let’s understand also that Jesus did not rise from the dead Sunday morning. That would be impossible and would prove the Bible to be wrong regarding this account. John 20:1-2 tells us that Mary and the gang arrived ‘early to the tomb, while it was still dark’.

The correct timeline should go as follows:

• Jesus crucified Wednesday afternoon
• Laid in tomb Wednesday night to Saturday night
• Rose from the dead before Sunday morning sunrise

What Matters In The End

Jesus Christ did rise from the dead. Sadly, many get only part of this story and apply it fully to their life. They know about Jesus and know that He was crucified. But they don’t put enough emphasis on the best part which is the resurrection.

Because of the death and resurrection:

• We can be forgiven of our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 John 2:2)
• We have eternal life (John 11:25-26)
• We have a direct connection with the Father (Matthew 27:50-51)
• The possibilities are endless

JS