Happy Easter

Easter is March 23, 2008

Easter - What is Easter all about?

Easter is celebrated by Christians around the world. Easter Sunday is the day that we as Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross, on Good Friday, and arose from the dead 3 days later, Easter Sunday.

Visit our Bible Study, "He's Alive" to learn more about Jesus, his life, why he had to die and why we have reason to celebrate as Christians.

Easter - What about the Easter Bunny and Easter Eggs?

Christians celebrate Easter by remembering the sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for us thousands of years ago. But why do bunnies and eggs come into the celebration?

Bunnies and eggs have nothing to do with Jesus so where did the custom of Easter Eggs and the Easter Bunny come from? Long ago, before Jesus died on the cross, ancient people celebrated the first day of spring in the name of a Germanic goddess of fertility named Eastre. Bunnies and eggs arose from this ancient pagan tradition. Bunnies represented fertility and eggs were painted to represent the sunlight of spring.

As Christians, we know that the death of Jesus on the cross gives us new life. Bunnies, eggs, and springs are all just symbols of spring and new life. Some Christians prefer not to call Easter Sunday, Easter, but instead refer to the day Jesus arose as "Resurrection Sunday."

Easter - What We as Christians Believe

The story of the death and resurrection of Jesus is told in the 4 Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament. We learn from these 4 accounts that Jesus died on Passover and arose 3 days later.

On Palm Sunday, about a week before the death of Jesus, Jesus and his disciplines entered Jerusalem. The Jewish people were gathered in Jerusalem for the festival of Passover. Many Jewish people believed that Jesus was their long awaited Messiah and they greeted him with palm branches laid before him. Palm Sunday is the day we remember this event.

Not everyone was happy and excited about Jesus. The priests of the temple and the Roman rulers of Jerusalem were threatened by Jesus and they set out to stop him. The priests agreed to pay Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples, 30 pieces of silver to betray him.

The Thursday after Jesus rode into Jerusalem is known as Maundy Thursday which means "Holy Thursday." This Thursday is the day of "The Last Supper" where Jesus celebrated Passover with His disciples. After Jesus ate with His disciples, he went into the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. While Jesus was praying, Judas led the arresting officers to him where Jesus was arrested.

Jesus was arrested, tried, and convicted. Jesus was beaten beyond recognition. He carried His own cross to His crucifixion. Jesus died and was placed in His tomb on Good Friday.

The Saturday after Jesus' death is known as Holy Saturday. Jesus had predicted His own death and He also predicted that He would arise 3 days later. The Roman Governor, Pontius Pilate, ordered guards to stand watch at Jesus' tomb to prevent Jesus' followers from stealing the body and claiming that He arose from the dead.

On Easter Sunday, several women who were among Jesus' followers went to the tomb to annoint His body. When the ladies arrived at the tomb, the stone had been rolled away and the tomb was empty.

According to Matthew's account of events, an angel appeared to the ladies. The angel said, "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6 )" Jesus later appeared to His disciples and many others. Jesus triumphed over sin, death and evil. Because He is alive, we have the promise of an eternal future with Him if we accept His sacrifice on the cross.

Homeschooled Kids Newsletter - March 2008