What Happened To Jesus On Easter Sunday

Easter – the Resurrection of Jesus

Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20-21, and Acts 1 are examples of parables.

The Tomb Is Empty!

Angels announcethat Jesus has risen from the dead.

In the late afternoon of Friday, the body of Jesus was hurriedly deposited in a tomb. Unfortunately, there was not enough time to properly prepare the body for burial using spices and ointments in accordance with Jewish tradition. Because no labor could be done on the Sabbath, the task had to be postponed until the next day. Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and a group of other ladies went to the tomb with the spices they had made earlier that morning. When they arrived, they discovered that the tomb had already been uncovered.

Suddenly, two angels in beautiful white robes appeared in front of me.
He is not present; He has ascended into the heavens!
That’s right, He said it.” The ladies returned to the church to inform Jesus’ apostles of what they had witnessed.
When they looked inside, they only saw the linen cloths that had been used to cover Jesus’ body, and nothing else.

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

During the time when Peter and the other apostles returned home, Mary Magdalene remained outside the tomb, sobbing. She was startled when she suddenly saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know Him at first. Jesus addressed her by saying, “What’s the deal with you crying? What exactly are you searching for?” Mary assumed He was the gardener and said, “Sir, if you have taken Him away, please tell me where he has been taken, and I will take Him!” “Mary!” exclaimed Jesus. “Master!” she shouted as she recognized Him for the first time.

Tell my disciples instead that I am ascending to my Father and your Father, as well as to my God and your God.” Then Mary Magdalene ran to the disciples and exclaimed, “I have seen the Lord!” and proceeded to tell them all that had happened as she walked.

Jesus Talks with Two Disciples on the Road to Emmaus

In the late afternoon of the same Sunday, two of Jesus’ followers, Cleopas and another man, were traveling down the road to a place named Emmaus, which was approximately seven miles (11 kilometers) away from Jerusalem. Every moment of the day had been spent chatting and speculating about everything that had transpired.

Jesus talks with two disciples on theroad to Emmaus.

All of a sudden, Jesus appeared among them, but they were unable to identify Him. “Can you tell me what you’re talking about as you go along?” He inquired. The two disciples had a depressed expression on their faces. In response, Cleopas said, “Are you the only person in Jerusalem who is unaware of the events that have taken place there in the previous several days?” “Whatthings?” Jesus was the one who inquired. “The events surrounding Jesus of Nazareth, who was hailed as a great prophet before God and all of humanity, as well as how our greatest priests and religious leaders conspired to have Him executed.

Yes, and, on top of that, it has now been three days since the events of the previous day.
They went to His tomb first thing in the morning this morning, but they were unable to locate His corpse.
Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the ladies had described it, but they did not see Jesus there, as the women had.” Then Jesus addressed them, saying, “Oh, you are so naive and sluggish in your thinking that you accept what the prophets have told you!
“It is late, and the day is nearly over,” they said.
While they were eating, Jesus took the bread, blessed it, and broke it before handing it to them to share.
The two disciples returned to Jerusalem in a short period of time and discovered the eleven apostles as well as several of Jesus’ other followers gathered there.

The apostles instructed them as follows: “It’s a sham! The Lord has resurrected from the dead and has appeared to Peter in a vision.” The two disciples then recounted all that had transpired on the way to Emmaus to the others.

Jesus Appears to the Apostles

During the same Sunday evening gathering, the majority of the apostles were there. They had barricaded themselves in a room for fear that the religious authorities would order their execution as a result of their defiance. All of a sudden, Jesus appeared among them. “May peace be with you,” he said. Jesus showed them the wounds from the crucifixion that had appeared on his side and on his hands. The apostles were pleased to discover that Jesus had risen from the dead. Jesus stated once more, “Be at peace with yourself.

As a result, the others informed him that they had “seen the Lord.” Nevertheless, Thomas stated that he would not believe it unless he saw the nail marks on His hands and inserted his finger into the nail holes and his hand into the wound in His side.
Jesus appeared to them once again and stood among them, saying, “Peace be with you.” Then Jesus addressed Thomas, saying, “Placing your index finger here will allow you to see my hands.
It’s no longer a question of whether or not.
Jesus responded to him by saying, “Have you trusted because you have witnessed something?

Jesus Ascends to Heaven

After being raised from the dead on that Sunday morning, Jesus remained on earth for 40 days before returning to heaven (Acts 1:3). He appeared to the apostles again near the Sea of Tiberias (Sea of Galilee) and on a hilltop in Galilee, according to the New Testament. He also appeared in front of more than 500 other people (1 Corinthians 15:6). Jesus’ parting remarks to His followers were, “I have been given all power in heaven and on earth.” As a result, go and make disciples of all peoples, baptizing them inthe name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and instructing them to follow all that I have instructed you to do.

(Matthew 28:18-20, New Revised Standard Version) Jesus brought His followers out to a location near Bethany, a town on the slopes of the Mount of Olives approximately two miles (three kilometers) from Jerusalem, when it was time for Him to go to the Father’s right hand.

Then He ascended into heaven, and the disciples lost sight of Him as He was enveloped in a cloud of smoke.

Questions

Easter Sunday is the most important religious holiday in the Christian calendar. In honor of the Resurrection of Jesus, it is celebrated on this day. It is believed that the early Christians celebrated Jesus’ resurrection on or around the Jewish Passover holiday, and there is no mention of an Easter celebration in the Bible. Because multiple calendar systems have been used over the years, the dates of Passover and Easter have become more distant from one another.

Western churches now celebrate Easter on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox, which marks the beginning of Spring and marks the end of winter. That date might fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25, depending on the circumstances.

Why Did the Disciples Have Trouble Recognizing Jesus After He Rose from theDead?

Mary Magdalene had been sobbing (John 20:11), and the tears in her eyes may have contributed to her inability to recognize Jesus at first glance. From Luke 24:16, we might deduce that God kept the two disciples on the way to Emmaus from first recognizing Jesus. However, according to Mark 16:12, Jesus’ appearance after He resurrected from the grave was in some way different. There was a good chance that these two disciples were not members of Jesus’ inner circle, and that they were unfamiliar with Jesus’ appearance and speech.

Why Wasn’t Jesus in the Tomb “Three Days and Three Nights” as HadBeen Prophesied?

We would interpret the phrase “three days and three nights” (Matthew 12:40) as referring to three consecutive 24 hour periods. Nevertheless, “day and night” was truly a figure of speech from that period in history, and it could refer to any segment of a day at any moment (Esther 4:16,5:1, 2 Chronicles 10:5, 10:12). During the days of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Jesus remained in the tomb for various periods of time.

Lessons

Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s book, The Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus, outlines the major events of the Christian faith. This amazing event conveyed the confidence to Jesus’ followers and to Christians throughout history that Jesus truly was the Son of God via his miraculous resurrection. It confirmed His prophecies (Matthew 16:21; Luke 18:31-33), as well as His teachings, and gave them power. Jesus was victorious over the forces of sin and death. If God was able to resurrect Jesus from the grave, then we have cause to believe that we, too, shall be raised to live forever in God’s presence when the time comes.

Easter Sunday is around the corner – here’s the story behind why it is celebrated

Sunday after Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian feast that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. But what is the origin behind the Christian celebration that has become synonymous with cartons of chocolate eggs stacked like colorful fortresses on store floors? This is an excellent moment to teach youngsters about the actual meaning of Easter, especially as we prepare to spend the April bank holiday at home while the UK lockdown continues. Find out more about the history of Good Friday and Easter Sunday – as well as why we celebrate them today – in the video below.

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What is the significance of Easter Sunday? Sunday after Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is a Christian feast that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Christians have been commemorating the festival for millennia all throughout the world, and it is often regarded as the most significant religious event in the calendar of most believers. When Jesus was crucified by Roman cavalry and buried on a Friday afternoon, according to the Bible, and more specifically in the Gospel of John in the New Testament, he was said to have been resurrected three days later, on the third day after his burial.

According to Christian tradition, one of Jesus’ disciples, Mary Magdalene, discovered his corpse when she went to visit his tomb and discovered it to be empty.
Because of the commemoration of Jesus’ burial, Good Friday is also observed as a Christian bank holiday the day before Easter Sunday.
Church services, which may include Holy Communion or baptisms, songs, the burning of candles, and the display of Easter lilies, to mention a few traditions, are frequently observed by Christians.
Easter has evolved as a consequence, and today’s customs include decorating eggs, building nests and chicks out of craft materials, and giving chocolate eggs to one another as gifts to mark the occasion.
What do we do to memorialize the events of Easter Sunday?
The act of rolling an easter egg down a nearby hill is a symbolic re-enactment of the removal of the stone from Christ’s tomb.
Hard boiled eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, which is why they are dyed red.

When Jesus was crucified, the hard shell represented his locked tomb, and the hollow inside represented his empty tomb after he was raised from the dead.

On Good Friday, Christians believe that because Jesus died on the cross for our sins by offering his flesh, his followers should abstain from eating meat on that day.

What Easter festivities can I watch online from the comfort of my own home?

Churches, like many other enterprises around the country, have been forced to close their doors while the country continues on lockdown, and several have declared that they would be hosting Easter services online in the meantime.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has announced that he will livestream his service to his approximately 1,500 followers from an iPad at his family home on Sunday, April 14.

This service, which will include performances by Kanye West, Mariah Carey, and Tyler Perry, will be webcast live on Lakewoodchurch.com/Easter, as well as the megachurch’s Facebook and YouTube pages, among other places.

Easter Sunday Morning – 10 Things We Should Know That Happened

There has been a great deal of debate over the discrepancies in the accounts of what transpired on Easter Sunday morning in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, and how they differ from one another. However, the variances do not constitute disparities. With that in mind, I believe that all four accounts are complimentary and entirely consistent with one another. When we analyze and contrast the four gospel narratives of Jesus’ resurrection, we come up with the 10 realities that are listed here. 1.

1. The women who witnessed the crucifixion were committed to caring for Jesus

The commitment of numerous women who had witnessed the crucifixion and had assisted in the burial of Jesus is the first thing that we should take note of. They promised to return on Sunday morning, after the Sabbath, to complete the preparations for his funeral service and burial. Two women in particular, Joanna and Susanna, already had the spices required to anoint Jesus in their possession when he was crucified (Luke 23:55-24:1). Early on Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene, the other Mary, and Salome went to the market to buy more spices to use in anointing and preparing Jesus’ corpse, which they had finished the night before.

Despite their disagreement about whether or not they would return to the tomb on Sunday, it is clear that they had no anticipation of Jesus’ rapid rising from the dead.

Print and distribute these lovely prayers and Scripture passages as you prepare to celebrate Easter Sunday!

What is Holy Week?

courtesy of nito/Shutterstock.com During Holy Week, Christians commemorate the events that led up to Jesus’ death by crucifixion and, according to their beliefs, his resurrection from the dead. There are five days this week that are particularly noteworthy. It is Palm Sunday, which celebrates Jesus’ lowly arrival (on a donkey) into Jerusalem to attend the Jewish festival of Passover. His arrival was heralded by throngs of people, who spread their cloaks and set palm fronds in his route, proclaiming him to be the Son of David, according to the Gospel narrative (Matthew 21:5).

Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus’ establishment of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, which has since become a key aspect of Christian devotion.

Good Friday recalls Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross, and it is historically observed as a day of mourning, penance, and fasting in the Christian tradition.

According to the Gospels, Easter Sunday is the celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection, which takes place on the third day following his crucifixion.

The modern celebration of Easter, like the celebration of Christmas, has been connected with a variety of folk customs that have nothing to do with the religious festival; these traditions include the Easter lamb, the Easter rabbit, and the decorating of Easter eggs, among others.

Easter 2022

Easter is a Christian event that commemorates the belief in Jesus Christ’s resurrection. It is observed on April 1. When it happened, it is claimed to have taken place three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in around 30 A.D., according to the Bible’s New Testament. It marks the conclusion of the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that began with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ended with Holy Week, which included Holy Thursday (the commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (the commemoration of Jesus’ crucifixion), and Easter Sunday (the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection).

Despite the fact that Easter is a religious event of great significance in the Christian religion, many of the rituals linked with it extend back to pre-Christian, pagan periods.

When Is Easter 2022?

Easter will be celebrated on Sunday, April 17, in the year 2021. Easter, on the other hand, is celebrated on a different date every year. However, in western Christian tradition (which uses the Gregorian calendar), Easter Sunday and accompanying events, such as Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday, are regarded as “moveable feasts,” even though Easter always happens on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, regardless of where you live. According to tradition, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon that occurs on or after the spring equinox.

Easter Sunday, according to various denominations of Protestant Christianity, marks the beginning of Eastertide, often known as the Easter Season.

Easter Sunday marks the beginning of the season of Pascha (Greek for “passover”), which lasts for 40 days and culminates with the celebration known as the Feast of the Ascension, which is celebrated on May 1.

Why Is Easter Called ‘Easter’?

St. Bede the Venerable, author of the 6th-century workHistoria ecclesiastica gentis Anglorum (“Ecclesiastical History of the English People”), believes that the English word “Easter” derives from Eostre, or Eostrae, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility who was worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons. Another school of thought holds that the term “Easter” comes fromin albis, aLatinphrase that is pural foralba, or”dawn,” which evolved intoeostaruminOld High German, which was a forerunner to the English language of today.

Religious Tradition of Easter

The resurrection of Jesus, as portrayed in the New Testament of the Bible, serves as the fundamental building block upon which all Christian religions are founded. The Christian calendar therefore considers Easter to be a particularly important occasion. It is said that Jesus was detained by the Roman authorities, mostly because he claimed to be the “Son of God,” however historians debate this claim, with others claiming that the Romans considered him as a threat to the Roman empire, as some have speculated.

The crucifixion of Jesus, commemorated on the Christian festival of Good Friday (the Friday before Easter), and his subsequent resurrection three days later are stated by the authors of the gospels to demonstrate that he was the living son of God.

More information may be found at: Why Did Pontius Pilate Order Jesus’ Execution?

Passover and Easter

Notably, Easter is also related with the Jewish festival of Passover, as well as with the story of the Jews’ departure from Egypt, as told in the Old Testament. Easter is celebrated on April 1. These connections may be seen vividly at the Last Supper, which took place the night before Jesus’ arrest, as well as in the hardships that Jesus underwent after his arrest. The Last Supper was, in essence, a Passover seder dinner. Although the Old Testament depicts it as having been given new importance by Jesus, the New Testament defines it as having been given new significance by him: He identified the matzah (or bread) he shared with his 12 apostles as his “body,” and the cup of wine that they drank as his “blood.” These rites would come to represent the sacrifice he was going to make in death, and they would serve as the foundation for the Christian ritual of Holy Communion, which is still a vital feature of Christian religious ceremonies today.

In recognition of the fact that Jesus’ imprisonment and killing were thought to have taken place during the Jewish festival of Passover, the Easter holiday is frequently celebrated in close proximity to the former event on the Judeo-Christian calendar.

Easter Traditions

The month leading up to Easter is particularly significant in western Christianity, which includes both Roman Catholicism and Protestant religions alike. Lent is the name given to this season of fasting and repentance. It starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts for 40 days, beginning on Ash Wednesday (not including Sundays). Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, and it recalls Jesus’ arrival in Jerusalem, when his people greeted him by laying palm branches across the road. A religious ceremony known as the Easter Vigil is held in many churches on Holy Saturday evening, just before the start of Easter celebrations on the following day (Easter Sunday).

Palm Week is the final week of Great Lent, and it concludes with Lazarus Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday, which is the Feast of the Transfiguration.

READ MORE:The Bible Claims That Jesus Was a Real Person.

Easter Eggs

There are numerous Easter customs that may be traced back to non-Christian and even pagan or non-religious festivals, regardless of one’s religious affiliation. Despite the fact that many non-Christians celebrate these customs, many opt to ignore the religious parts of the celebration. Easter eggs and related games such as egg rolling and egg decorating are examples of non-religious Easter traditions, as are other types of holiday customs. When it comes to ancient customs that before Christianity, it’s often thought that eggs signified fertility and childbirth.

Easter Bunny

On Easter Sunday morning, a mythical creature known as the Easter Bunny visits homes and gives candy and chocolate eggs to youngsters under the age of ten. These chocolates are frequently included in Easter baskets. There is no definitive evidence as to the origins of the Easter Bunny custom, while some historians believe it was brought to America by German immigrants in the early 1700s. Rabbits are known to be prolific breeders in many cultures, and the appearance of newborn bunnies in springtime meadows has come to be associated with the celebration of life and new beginnings.

Many religious watchers of Easter, on the other hand, incorporate them in their festivities as well.

Since the lamb was regularly used as a sacrifice animal in Jewish customs and is frequently offered during Passover, an Easter supper of lamb has also been served in this tradition for centuries.

In today’s world, Easter is both a commercial event and a religious festival, with significant sales of greeting cards, candy (such as Peeps), chocolate eggs, and chocolate Easter bunnies, among other things, marking the occasion.

Sources

McDougall, H., and McDougall, H. (2010). “Easter’s pagan origins,” says the author. TheGuardian.com. A. Sifferlin’s et al (2015). “Can you tell me about the genesis of the Easter bunny?” Time.com. J. Barooah et al (2012). History, origins, symbolism, and custom of Easter eggs are all covered in this book. Huffington Post is a news website. E. Chapman and S. Schreiber have written a book on their experiences (2018). “The origins of your favorite Easter rituals,” says the author. Goodhousekeeping.com.

The Resurrection Was Not on Easter Sunday!

Every year, billions of people throughout the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, most people are unaware that the Bible presents a totally different tale from the one they are used to hearing from the pulpit. When it comes to Jesus’ resurrection, what is the truth? Every year, thousands of thousands of professing Christians come for Easter morning services. Even those who are not regular churchgoers will attend services at the church of their choosing on Easter Sunday, regardless of their religious affiliation.

As unbelievable as that statement may appear, it is true—and you can demonstrate it!

In reality, it teaches something very different!

When exactly did Christ’s resurrection take place?

So, what’s the relationship between an Easter egg hunt and the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Continue reading to find out the answers to these and other important questions!

The Sign of Jesus’ Messiahship

The fact that Jesus of Nazareth was the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament was supported by a number of evidences for people who sought to learn the truth with sincerity. When the disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus after John’s arrest and imprisonment by Herod, take note of what He told them: “Because you have come to me, I will tell you what I have done for you.” “And when John learned of Christ’s deeds while imprisoned, he dispatched two of his disciples to confront Him with the question, “Are You the Coming One, or should we look for another?” When they asked what Jesus had said, he replied, “Go and tell John what you have heard and seen: the blind see and the crippled walk; lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are resurrected and the poor have the gospel preached to them.” Also, happy is the one who does not feel offended by Me.'” (Matthew 11:2–6; Mark 10:2–6).

According to John’s narrative, Jesus performed a series of miraculous wonders, beginning with the wedding feast at Cana, when He transformed water into wine (John 2:11).
These signs were observed by Jesus’ disciples, confirming their belief that He was, in fact, the Messiah who had been foretold.
John penned the following: “There was a guy named Nicodemus who belonged to the Pharisees and was the ruler of the Jews.
During the first Passover season of Jesus’ ministry, in the year 28 AD, this occurred.
None of this was satisfactory to them.
Jesus assured them on each of these instances that they would only get one sign like this in their lifetime.

When He was confronted by the religious leaders, who demanded that He demonstrate another sign in addition to the miraculous healings He had performed in the temple, He responded by saying, “I will show you another sign.” “‘Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up,’ Jesus responded to their question.

Because, just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the giant fish, the Son of Man will spend three days and three nights in the center of the earth.” (Matthew 12:38–40; Mark 10:38–40).
The sole indication Jesus gave to the doubting religious leaders of His day was that He would be in the tomb for precisely three days and three nights, as He had promised them.
Absolutely!
“He is not present because, as He stated, He has risen from the dead.
Jesus had vowed that He would remain in the tomb for precisely three days and three nights, and He resurrected exactly three days and three nights after He said He would.
It is not possible to count it yourself; it will just not work!
Others believe that it is a colloquial expression.
It is important to note that Jesus was referring to Hebrew terminology rather than Greek.
“The L ord had prepared a massive fish to engulf Jonah at this point.
As Queen Esther instructed her cousin Mordecai, “Go, collect all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for three days, neither eating nor drinking, day or night” was the exact term used (Esther 4:16).
This is exactly what Jesus was referring to, and the Pharisees were well aware of it.

They were well aware that Jesus was not referring to a simple day and a half, but rather three whole days, as he had stated.

When Was the Crucifixion?

“But,” many would answer, “doesn’t the Bible declare that Jesus was killed and buried on Friday and that the tomb was empty on Sunday morning?” However, while it is true that the tomb was already empty on Sunday morning, the Bible makes no mention of Jesus being crucified on Friday. It does indicate that He was crucified on the “preparation day” (Mark 15:42–45), but we must recognizewhichpreparation day this was. Remember, the Bible refers ofannualSabbaths—”Holy Days”—in addition to the weekly Sabbath (cf., Leviticus 23:4, 7, 24, 27–32).

The next day—Abib 15—is an annual Holy Day, the first Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Thursday was an annual Sabbath, the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
He was raised right before sundown on Saturday afternoon, precisely 72 hours after His burial.
They did not see the resurrection; they saw an empty tomb, and were assured by an angel that He had risen just as He said He would.
(John 1:29).
(1 Corinthians 5:7).
Exodus 12:1–8).

43–46).

(15:1).

that morning—the “third hour” from daylight in Jewish usage (v.

From noon until Jesus’ death at about 3 p.m., there was complete darkness over the entire area (vv.

Shortly afterward, Joseph of Arimathea sought an audience with Pilate and requested that Jesus’ dead body be released to him for burial (v.

(v.

After summoning the centurion in charge of the executions to ascertain that Jesus was really dead, Pilate gave Joseph permission to take and bury the body (vv.

Luke, in his gospel, emphasized that the burial was hurried and took place just before sunset (Luke 23:53–54, cf.

This emphasis that Jesus was hurriedly buried shortly before the Sabbath began has confused many people into thinking that the crucifixion took place on a Friday.

(John 19:31).

Remember, Abib 15—the day after the Passover—was the first Holy Day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the first of seven annual Holy Days commanded to ancient Israel (Leviticus 23:5–7).

Notice Mark’s statement: “Nowwhen the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him” (Mark 16:1).

Shops in Jerusalem would have been closed on both the weekly and annual Sabbaths.

(15:47).

Note that Luke explains it wasafterthe women prepared the spices and fragrant oils —a job that would have taken hours—that “they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment” (Luke 23:56).

How could they have waited until after the Sabbath to buy and prepare spices (as Mark clearly states), yet rest on the weekly Sabbath after they had prepared the spices (as Luke clearly states)—unless there were actuallytwoSabbaths in that week?

Why, then, did the women come to the tomb on Sunday morning?

Of course not!

(Luke 24:1).

Why was this a special sign, to the religious leaders, confirming Jesus’ Messiahship?

Remember, Matthew explained that on the day after the crucifixion—early in the morning of the “high day” Sabbath—the Jewish leadership sent a delegation seeking Pilate’s permission to post an armed guard to secure the tomb.

(Matthew 27:65).

(28:11). From the mouths of the very guards that they themselves had posted, these leaders learned that Jesus had fulfilled the sign of the prophet Jonah—just as He said He would!

Where Did Easter Come From?

Easter is never mentioned in the New Testament, which was written by the Holy Spirit. The term “Easter” is used in Acts 12:4 in the King James translation, while practically every other translation uses the word “Passover,” which is the true reading of the Greek wordpascha. Any Bible commentary or Greek interlinear will do to confirm this for you, and you can find one in practically any bookstore. It is possible that the early first-century Church did not mark Easter Sunday at all. Christians have continued to observe the Passover in the same manner that the original Apostles did when in the presence of Jesus.

Christ’s sacrifice was symbolized by these symbols, which were a little piece of broken unleavened bread and a sip of wine.
So, where did the tradition of celebrating Easter come from?
Please take note of the following startling comment made by a researcher affiliated with the Pontifical Gregorian University Press in Rome: “Scholars are nearly unanimous in their belief that Rome is, in fact, the origin of the holiday of Easter Sunday.
201, he writes: Eusebius, an early Catholic historian, gives insight into the origins of Easter in his Ecclesiastical History (Ecclesiastical History).
Eusebius penned the following: “But Polycrates was in charge of the bishops of Asia, who were firm in their adherence to the tradition that had been passed down to them from their forefathers.
Phillip, one of the twelve apostles, was a man of faith.
Polycarp of Smyrna (Polycarp of Smyrna).

In the next paragraph, Eusebius quotes an account written by Irenaeus, a second-century bishop of Lyons, who claims that the practice of celebrating Easter as a substitute for Passover dates back to the time of Sixtus, bishop of Rome (c.

To put it another way, Easter Sunday was not recognized by the professing Christian community until over 20 years after the death of the Apostle John, the last living eyewitness to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, was killed.

If it truly honored the events of Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection, it would have been observed from the beginning, wouldn’t it?

Even just hearing it should cause us to sit up and pay note.

Easter is derived from Ishtar or Astarte, names that relate to the ancient Babylonian goddess who was revered as the mother of the sun god and who was worshipped as a fertility goddess.

A large number of Fathers abstracted and reinterpreted pagan symbols and beliefs about the Sun, and they used these symbols and ideas to preach the Christian message in an apologetic manner ” (Bacchiocchi, p.

Much of the symbolism connected with Easter, including the use of bunnies and eggs, may be traced back to ancient customs that started in Babylon and were passed down to us over the centuries by way of Rome.

As a result of this partnership between church and state, most of the trappings associated with contemporary Christian culture have been imposed on the Christian community at large.

Many serious professing Christians would argue that they attend Easter morning services to commemorate Jesus Christ and His resurrection from the dead, rather than to worship the sun deity, and that this is not their intention.

No!

that you do not enquire about their gods, asking things like ‘How did these countries worship their gods?’ or similar questions.

32).

That it does so actually obscures the very moment in time that Jesus claimed was the defining indication of His Messiahship—the time He spent in the tomb for three days and three nights.

It is past time for those who claim to be God’s people to emerge from spiritual Babylon and worship the Creator in the manner prescribed by God—in spirit and in truth!

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is one of the most joyous days of the year for Christians all across the world. It celebrates the ascension of Jesus Christ from the dead, as recorded in the Christian holy book of Luke. Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Marcus Lindström’s photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com

What Do People Do?

Easter is celebrated by many Christians across the world with special church services, music, candles, flowers, and the ringing of church bells, among other things. It is traditional in several nations, such as the Philippines and Spain, to hold Easter processions. Easter is considered by many Christians to be the most important feast of the year. According to Christian theology, it is a day of gladness and celebration to honor the fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. A number of cities and villages around Italy have religious plays based on the events of the Easter tale, which are performed in the piazzas on Easter Sunday.

Capretto (lamb) and agnello (kid/goat) are two other classic meals to try.

Despite the fact that Easter retains a strong religious significance, many children in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom regard it as a time to buy new spring clothes, decorate eggs, and participate in Easter egg hunts in which eggs have been hidden by the Easter Bunny, among other activities.

Public Life

It happens that Easter Sunday falls on a Sunday, which means that it is a non-working day in nations such as Australia, Canada, England, and the United States of America. Generally speaking, government offices and schools are closed on Sundays in nations where it is a non-working day, and economic operations are restricted. It is possible that public transportation schedules will be limited or run on a different schedule from those of the working week in nations where Sunday is a non-working day; thus, anyone planning to travel by public transportation should double-check their schedules ahead of time.

Background

It happens that Easter Sunday falls on a Sunday, which means that it is a non-working day in nations such as Australia, Canada, England, and the United States, among other places. In nations where Sunday is a non-working day, government offices and schools are closed, and economic activity are restricted. It is possible that public transportation schedules will be limited or operate on a different schedule than those of the working week in countries where Sunday is a non-working day, so those planning to travel by public transportation should double-check their schedules ahead of time before setting out.

Symbols

As fertility symbols, both eggs and bunnies represent the festival of Eostara, which is celebrated every year on April 1st. Other symbolic connections include the pagan celebration of the rising sun of spring, which coincides with Christians’ celebration of the rising Son of God, and the lighting of candles in churches, which corresponds to the ancient celebration of bonfires in the winter.

Easter Day is a day dedicated to remembering the emblem of the crucifixion and depictions of Jesus Christ, whether they are shown in paintings or sculptures.

What did Jesus do between Good Friday and Easter?

In the All Souls College Chapel in Oxford, England, a reredos shows Jesus releasing the Jewish patriarchs from the depths of hell, according to the artist. (Photo courtesy of Rev. Lawrence Lew and the Royal Navy) Every Christian is familiar with the story: Jesus was killed on Good Friday and resurrected on Easter Sunday, according to the Bible. But what exactly did he accomplish on Saturday night? Those are the kinds of questions that have sparked centuries of dispute, confounded theologians as erudite as St.

The Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and the vast majority of mainline Protestant churches believe that Jesus went into the realm of the dead on Holy Saturday in order to save virtuous souls, such as the Hebrew patriarchs, who died prior to his crucifixion and resurrection.

During the time when Jesus sought for Adam, “our first father,” as if he were a lost sheep, according to an old homily contained in the Catholic readings for Holy Saturday, the world was stilled by a “great quiet.” The dramatic picture of Jesus bursting down the gates of Hades, sometimes referred to as “the harrowing of hell,” has proven nearly seductive to artists throughout history, from the painter Hieronymus Bosch to the poet Dante to innumerable Eastern Orthodox iconographers, among others.

Some Protestants, on the other hand, argue that there is little scriptural support for the horrific detour and that Jesus’ own words are in direct opposition to it.
In the words of John Piper, a famous evangelical author and pastor from Minnesota, “That’s the only hint we have as to what Jesus was doing between death and resurrection.” The criminal didn’t go to hell, and I don’t believe hell is called paradise.
According to Robert Krieg, a theology professor at the University of Notre Dame, in order to highlight that Jesus had actually died and that his resurrection was no trick of the tomb, the apostles would have argued that he, too, had spent time in Sheol.
John’s School of Theology-Seminary in Collegeville, Minn., belief in the descent was prevalent in the early church.
Churches that believe he has fallen into the realm of the dead most frequently use 1 Peter 3:18-20 as their primary source.
In jail, he went to preach to the spirits, and it was via the Spirit that he did so.” The souls that were imprisoned, Peter cryptically explains, were those who were “disobedient” during the time of Noah, the ark-maker, and were punished accordingly.
In other words, Jesus talked to the Hebrews “in spirit” via Noah, rather than directly to them in hell.

If it weren’t for a fourth-century bishop called Rufinus, who included the phrase “ad inferna” – “to hell” – in his commentary on the Apostles’ Creed, the descent may not have become a dogma.

However, shifting ideas of hell have only added to the complexity of the issues.

As a result, theologians such as Thomas Aquinas struggled to comprehend which place Jesus visited and whom he saved.

In the Catholic journal First Things few years ago, the subject, which was most recently broached by the late Swiss theologian Hans Ur von Balthasar, sparked a violent theological battle.

“The single most persuasive reason in its favor appears to be the fact that it has been there for so long,” says Grudem, a professor at Phoenix Seminary in Arizona, in his “Systematic Theology,” a popular textbook at evangelical schools and universities.

Nonetheless, the horrible experience of hell continues to be an important teaching for Orthodox Christians, who set an icon showing the fall of Hell at the front of their churches as Saturday night turns into Easter Sunday.

Peter Bouteneff, a theology professor at St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary in Crestwood, New York, explained that the empty cross and tomb are not the icons that symbolise Easter for him and his students. “It is the descend of Christ into Hades.”

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