Why Christians Celebrate Easter by Sharon K. Connell

According to the Encyclopedia Britannia, the earliest recorded observance of an Easter celebration comes from the 2nd century, although the commemoration of Jesus’ Resurrection probably occurred earlier, as word spread that Christ had risen from the dead.

While I attended the Pensacola Bible Institute, I learned Easter stemmed from the celebrations for Astarte, the great goddess of the ancient Middle East and chief deity of Tyre, Sidon, and Elat. Hebrew scholars feel that the goddess Ashtoreth, mentioned so often in the Bible, is a variation of the Greek name Astarte.

Astarte, goddess of war and sexual love, was worshiped. Ishtar, Isis, Hathor, Aphrodite, Artemis, and Juno are other names associated with this so-called goddess.

There is no definite origin for the start of Easter. However, it is mentioned in the Bible with reference to when Jesus was crucified.

“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.” (Acts 12:4 AKJV)

And we know that missionaries to the heathen, after unsuccessful attempts to convert the native practices from their worship of multi-gods, decided to turn their festivals into Christian holy days. Easter is one of them.

It’s certain that most of the information I’ve mentioned about Easter is accurate because of the celebration of the holiday. Easter bunnies. The rabbit is a very prolific producer of offspring. The Easter egg. Long associated with fertility.

Today, Christians celebrate Easter because of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, who rose on the first day of the week. At least, that’s why I celebrate the day.

John 20:1-9 (AKJV) says:

“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre. So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre. And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself. Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed. For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead.”

As Christians, some tend to shy away from the Easter bunny and egg theme. I, for one, prefer to focus on The Lamb of God.

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29 AKJV)

The lamb’s role as a sacrificial animal in ancient Israel is what Jesus became. He was the final lamb sacrificed to cleanse us from sin. There are no more sacrificial lambs to be offered.

Hebrews 10:12-18 (AKJV) explains this:

“but this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; from henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.”

Have you accepted Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on your behalf? He waits at your heart’s door.

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. (Revelation 3:20 AKJV)

Jesus Christ offers you the free gift of salvation. Through His sacrifice, we are given the gift of eternal life with God Almighty. There is no payment for sin that you can possibly make. The atonement was made by the sacrifice of a Perfect Lamb. Without spot or blemish. Jesus Christ lived a sin-free, perfect life in our place, and died for my sin, your sin. He knew we couldn’t keep the commandments and live that life. He offers his payment for sin to you freely.

“Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” (Romans 5:18 AKJV)

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 AKJV)

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

Are you willing to accept this gift of salvation?

If you are already saved, will you make sure others know salvation isn’t something you can achieve on your own? You have to humble yourself and confess that you are not good enough to get into heaven by your good life, good works, or anything you can do here on Earth. You have to accept that Jesus Christ did it all for you.

Remember, the gift isn’t yours until you reach out and accept it.

Have a blessed Resurrection Sunday!

Sharon K. Connell

Author, Sharon K. Connell lives in Houston, Texas from where she writes Christian Romance Suspense, containinga bit of mystery and as much humor as she can get into a story. She’s also written many award-winning shortstories in a variety of genres.

She is a member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, Scribes Critique Group, Houston Writers Guild, and CyFair Writers. She is also the founder of the global Facebook Christian Writers & Readers group forum. Her monthly newsletter, Novel Thoughts, goes out every month to its subscribers in all parts of the world. Visit the offical website of Sharon K. Connell https://www.authorsharonkconnell.com/