What Is Easter? ... 4/4/21

       Here it is, Ea-ster.  

       This holiday is not about bun-ny rabbits, chocolate candy, pastel Easter eggs, or baskets.  Nor is it wearing fancy clothes to church. The original mean-ing of today is about Christ overcoming death, spiritual and physical.  

       A few years back, I saw a commercial touting Buzz Lightyear bal-loons for Easter.  I like Buzz Lightyear.  But Easter has nothing to do with celebrating the icon of a computer-generated movie.

       When attending a Humanism and Mysticism class in college, there were students not familiar with Adam and Eve.  So, for those not sure about the meaning of Easter, it is about Christ's resurrection from death.  With what I write, please take what you like, leaving the rest.

     Christ made many claims.  One was that he was the Son of God.  He staked what he taught on one test.  

      He said, that after his death, he would arise three days later.  Christ was cruci-fied on a Friday after a trumped-up trial done secretly the night before.

    Roman soldiers were posted at Christ's tomb.  They guarded it---under the penalty of death---if they failed. They were to prevent anyone from stealing his body.  The Jewish rulers asked the Roman governor Pontius Pilate to assign this guard, aware of Christ's claim.  

     To prevent any rumor of Christ's resur-rection, was their intent.  They wanted no basis for validating his teaching.

      On Sunday, three days after Christ's death, his tomb was empty.  Shortly afterward, Jesus appeared to more than 500 witnes-ses.  He over-came death.

   Christians believe he was God's offering, the sacrificial Lamb of God.

       On his shoulders, while hanging in agony on the cross, the sins of mankind were placed.  He died for me, for you.  Sins----past, present and future were paid for, through His sacrifice.  

      Christ was human.  It enabled him to empathize with our frailties and needs.  As God in human form, he was a worthy substitution for the multiple millions who experience forgiveness from God when placing their faith in Him.

My Gratitudes:

1. I'm humbled Christ died for my sins. I'm grateful for the gift of His sacrifice.  I rebelled against him, as a kid. That did not stop Him from wooing me.  I'm in awe of his patience with me, overlooking my arrogance, when I thought I could live by my power a-lone. There is no humility in self-will, not living by faith in God.  

2. I'm thankful for the spiritual power available when relying in His strength. In mine, I am can't live the life I want, nor overcome my struggles. I have known the power of his resurrection for more than thirty years. It helps me overcome calamities and gives a peace that transcends the darkest of my circumstances.

3. For Christ ri-sing from the dead, more than two thou-sand years ago. He overcame not only physical death but spiritual death as well: depression, sadness, anxiety, guilt and shame.

4. I'm glad that all who call upon him, can share the same experience as the multitudes who believe in Christ.  Anyone who does, will discov-er an amazing relationship with him.  We move from knowing about  him to knowing him in a loving, gentle, personal way.

     Wishing you a special Easter, one that celebrates           its meaning,