Christians honor death and resurrection on Easter
April this year finds that spring has arrived, as I wish a happy birthday to my sweet young blushing bride and all Christians celebrate Easter Day, which will occur on Sunday, April 9.
Have you ever wondered how folks know what day Easter Sunday will fall on? There is a formula that sets the date. Now, the method of calculating the date for the Easter Celebration has seen some changes over the years, but we currently determine the date as the Sunday following the Paschal Full Moon that occurs after the vernal equinox.
This year, 2023, March 20, was the first day of spring or the vernal equinox. Then the full moon occurs April 6. So, the first Sunday after this full moon will be Easter Sunday, April 9.
This observance of Easter which is based on the Hebrew Passover has experienced many changes with its timing since the followers of Jesus did not properly document the date of the crucifixion. Jesus became the perfect Passover sacrifice since he was crucified in Jerusalem at the time of the Passover.
The Bible (John 1:29) shows that John the Baptist, upon seeing Jesus coming toward him said, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.”
Christians honor the death and resurrection of Jesus as we celebrate Easter.
1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,” Christians have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven because of an empty tomb The tomb where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion death, only to be resurrected on the third day.
No one is certain about the location of this tomb, but it does not matter because He was resurrected and no longer is in that tomb.
The bible says that on the third day, the two Marys came to the tomb and an Angel of the Lord said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” “And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. Matthew 28:5-7
The death and resurrection of Jesus shows God is real, that we have hope, He took our sins upon himself and is alive today.
Romans 10:9 says that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” And that introduction gives us the story of Easter, the most important event in a Christian’s life. Jesus came to Earth in an immaculate birth, to live as man, teach love of one another, then shed His blood as He died a horrible death crucified upon a cross, taking on the sins of the world, buried, only to defeat the grave as He rose in three days, assuring us if we just believe and ask Him into our lives, we would be granted eternal life in Heaven.
My Granddad, Papa Hop, would tell us that we could not save ourselves, that only Jesus could do that and that it was only through His Grace that we could receive that gift “For by Grace are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast!” (Ephesians 2: 8-9)
EASTER SUNRISE
The dawn is breakin’ in the East with sunbeams bright as gold,
just like the morn at Jesus’ tomb, the story that we’re told.
Our Savior died upon the Cross, tho’ sinless man was he,
To justify the sins of man an’ set each of us free.
As Jesus prayed at Gethsemane, the sins of man he bought.
The chief priests came to Jesus there, false evidence they sought.
Brought to Pilate, the Governor, to answer here this day,
“Are you the King of all the Jews?” “Yes, it is as you say.”
“I will release one prisoner,” Pilate spoke to the crowd,
“Be it this man or Barabbas?” The people shouted loud,
“Barabbas, release Barabbas!” “But what of this Jesus?”
The crowd shouted, “Crucify him!” Pilate settled the fuss.
Had him flogged, prepared for the cross, an’ sent him to the Golgotha Hill,
the Place of the Skull. Prophecy to fulfill.
They forced him to Golgotha’s peak, an’ nailed him to the cross.
They called to him to save himself, seek pardon from the Boss.
Darkness came over all the land. The ninth hour he did say,
“My God, My God, why have you forsaken me this day?”
Then Jesus gave up his spirit. The temple curtain split,
The Earth shook, tomb stones rolled away, His Life He did commit.
The rich man, Joseph, gave his tomb to Jesus there that day.
Wrapped in fresh clean linen, in the tomb, Jesus’ body lay.
The Pharisees said to Pilate, Sir, that deceiver said,
“In three days, I will rise again’” “Secure his tomb,” they pled.
They put a seal upon that stone with guard to be complete.
The Angel of the Lord came down, rolled the stone an’ took a seat.
The dawn is breakin’ in the East with sunbeams bright as gold.
As the two Marys took the path toward the tomb so bold.
But found the stone was rolled away, an Angel they did see.
Proclaimed that the Lord had risen as in the prophecy.
“Be not afraid,” the angel said, “But come see where he lay.
For he has risen from the grave and walks with you today.
You are to tell his disciples the miracle this day.
Now he journeys to Galilee, for not long he will stay,
Then appear to the eleven, their shaky faith to prod.
An’ soon will ascend to heaven; sit at the right hand of God.”
The women quickly went away, afraid, yet filled with joy.
They hurried on to Galilee with news they must deploy.
Eleven went to mountainside where Jesus came to them.
He gave them all a job to do, an’ then they worshipped Him.
He sent them to baptize nations, His teachin’s to engage.
“Surely, I am with you always. To the end of the age.”
© Ol’ Jim Cathey
“He is not here; he has risen!” —Luke 24:6
God bless each of you and God Bless America!