A Spiritual Guide
Spiritual Guidance Bringing You Closer To Jesus & Understanding God's Will
All About The Easter Season
Easter is a day that Christians celebrate the resurrection of the our Lord, Jesus Christ. We celebrate His resurrection because He was crucified, died, and was raised from the dead in order to pay the penalty for our sins. His death assured all believers that we would have eternal life. Understanding Easter from a Christian perspective is vitally important. The celebration of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead is crucial for believers in Jesus Christ. Without this doctrine, there is no Christianity and traditionally no Easter. I am here to explain the true meaning of Easter and all the Holy days leading up to the day we celebrate the resurrection of our beloved Jesus Christ. 
Easter is one of the most popular Christian holidays, but it is far more than Easter egg hunts and a day to go to church.
As we learn in the Bible Jesus was raised from the dead, three days after his death on the cross. As part of the Easter season, the death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion, is commemorated on Good Friday, always the Friday just before Easter. Through his death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.
The Story of Easter
What is Ash Wednesday?
What Is Lent?
What Is Fasting?
What is Palm Sunday?
What Are Holy Week?
What is Holy Thursday?
What is Good Friday?
When is Easter Celebrated?
What About The Easter Egg?
What About Lambs, Chicks, & Bunnies?
The Story of Easter
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The Story of Easter is written in the Gospels of the New Testament. Although it does relate to the ancient pagan celebration in that on Easter Sunday Christian's recognize the day as a new begining, it is a day of commemorating the culminating event of their faith, but like so many other "Christian" holidays, Easter has become commercialized and mixed with non-christian traditions like the Easter Bunny, Easter parades and hunting for Easter eggs. The word Easter is not actually in the Bible and has been often protrayed as a pagan celebration as they associate the word with a pagan goddess or idol celebration. It is simply a word used to acknowledge the celebration which began somewhere around 325 AD, when it was established by the Council of Nicea. Those who would like to defy the truth will lead you to think otherwise. For this reason many religions refer to Easter as Ressurection Sunday.
After Jesus was crucified, Joseph of Arimathea had Christ's body placed in his own tomb. A large stone covered the entrance and soldiers guarded the sealed tomb. On the third day, a Sunday, several women (Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Joanna and Salome are all mentioned in the gospel accounts) went to the tomb at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus.
With a mixture of fear and joy they ran to obey the angel's command, but suddenly Jesus met them on their way. They fell at his feet and worshiped him. Jesus then said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go tell my brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see me."
When the guards reported what had happened to the chief priests, they bribed the soldiers with a large sum of money, telling them to lie and say that the disciples had stolen the body in the night.
After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to the women near the tomb and later at least twice to the disciples while they were gathered at a house in prayer.
Matthew 28:1-20
Luke 24:1-49
John 20:1-21:25
Proof of the Resurrection:
There are at least 12 different appearances of Christ in the resurrection accounts, beginning with Mary and ending with Paul. They were physical, tangible experiences with Christ eating, speaking and allowing himself to be touched.
He visited two of the disciples on the road to Emmaus and he also appeared at the Sea of Galilee while several of the disciples were fishing.
Jesus' resurrected body was different from his physical body. It was no longer subject to the same laws of nature. He could transcend locked doors, and yet he could still be touched and he could eat.
Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave the Great Commission, telling his followers to go and make disciples of all nations.
The stone was not rolled away from the tomb so Jesus could get out. He was able to walk through walls in his resurrected body. The stone was rolled away so that everyone could see that he was risen.
What is Ash Wednesday?
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Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). It is a day of special devotion. It begins a period of spiritual discipline, fasting and moderation in preparation for Holy Week and Easter; one of the most important days of the church year. On this day, Christians focus on their complete sinfulness and the necessity of Christ's suffering and death to insure their salvation, although once a person accepts Jesus and is saved enternally, it helps to reflect on this day as one asks Jesus for forgiveness of forgotten sins made prior to the year.
Some denominations attend church services using ashes during a worship ritual called the Imposition of Ashes. In this custom, ashes are mixed with a small amount of oil and applied to the forehead of each worshipper and they are to walk around with the ash on their forehead the entire day. They also fast by abstaining from food, especially flesh from animals and mourn the entire day. The ashes are referred to many times in the Old Testament as signs of sorrow, mourning, humility, and repentance, and on Ash Wednesday they are used to remind people of their mortality that "you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). An ancient example of one expressing his penitence is found in Job Chapter 42. Job says to God: "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." (Job 42:5-6).
Ash Wednesday is not observed in this way by many denominations as many believe that fasting is between you and God and no one should know about it. It is for this reason that these denominations are reminded of Jesus' warning against fasting to gain favor from other people and that he also warned his followers that they should fast in private, not letting others know they were fasting. An example of this can be found in Matthew Chapter 6. "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18). Also while it is good to reflect on the fact that Jesus died for our sins and to take the time to repent of past sins we should understand that Jesus did not turn to ash, He rose again three days later and we who may turn to dust in the flesh join Him in heaven in spirit.
Whether you choose to observe Ash Wednesday in public or private, it comes down to taking the time to repent for your past sins of the year and to reflect on the fact that Jesus died to save you from all of your sins. This is a commitment between You and the Lord and in fact it should be between no one else. You should go about your day like every other day with the knowledge that Jesus is the reason we are able to live eternally in the Kingdom of God.
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What Is Lent?
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Lent is a 40-day fast that begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes Easter Sunday. Jesus fasted and was tempted in the wilderness for 40 days. Lent, therefore is our time of fasting, prayer, and temptation just as Jesus experienced as well as a time for repentance as we all are sinners while Jesus was not. Lent is not required anywhere in Scriptures, but it has been a custom, which Christians have practiced for most of the last two thousand years.
In many languages, the word "Lent" actually means "fast." This is where the custom of giving up something for Lent originated. However, Lent is actually 46 days rather than 40 days. This is because the 40 days of Lent are supposed to be days of fasting, which means days of discipline and self-restraint. But Sunday, the Lord's Day, should never be a day of fasting, but a day of celebration! So each Sunday we suspend our Lenten disciplines and celebrate. Therefoe, Lent is 40 "fasting" days spread out over a total of 46 days beginning on Ash Wednesday.
The focus of Lent was always threefold:
- It was a time to prepare new converts for baptism after Salvation.
- It was a time for long-standing Christians to review their lives and renew their commitment to Jesus Christ.
- It was a time for backsliders to be restored to the faith.
In every case, it is a time for serious, disciplined self-examination, a time spent in intensive prayer and repentance before the cross of Calvary. Simply put, Lent is a time to examine ourselves carefully.
Once again whether you choose to observe Lent publically, or privately it is a commitment that you make between you and the Lord. No one else needs to know nor should know.
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What Is Fasting?
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Fasting is the most powerful spiritual discipline of all the Christian disciplines. Through fasting and prayer, the Holy Spirit can transform your life.
Prayer and fasting is defined as voluntarily going without food in order to focus on prayer and fellowship with God. Prayer and fasting often go hand in hand, but this is not always the case. Fasting should not be considered a "dieting method" either. We shouldn't fast to lose weight, but rather to gain deeper fellowship with God. Yes, anyone can fast. While some may not be able to fast from food (diabetics, for example), everyone can temporarily give up something in order to focus on God. Even unplugging the television for a period of time can be an effective fast.
Having a dedicated time of prayer and fasting is not a way of manipulating God into doing what you desire. Rather, it is simply forcing yourself to focus and rely on God for the strength, provision, and wisdom you need. In fact your time of fasting comes from God, not you. When you decide it is time to fast it is something that God has directed you to do, not yourself. Should you choose to pick a day each week or month at the same time it would not be effective as it needs to be a time when God has called you to observe it, which is often when you have a big decision to make or you feel yourself severly losing sight of God.
Yes, it's a good idea for believers to fast from time to time. Fasting is not required in Scripture, but it's highly recommended. The only Biblical reason to fast is to develop a closer walk with God. By taking our eyes off the things of this world, we can focus better on Christ. As we see in Matthew Chapter 6:16-18 Jesus said, "Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly." (Matthew 6:16-18).
How to fast:
Spiritual Fast: A normal Spiritual day of fasting for those who are physically able is going 24 hours on only water, this is usually done from sun down to sun down the following day. The objective to this is to focus on Jesus especially during times when you are physically hungry as Jesus is the bread of life and by feeding on Him we are nourished. This should not be done more than one day as serious complications can result from it, you must stay well hydrated by doing this, it is recommended that you drink a glass of water every one to two hours espiecially during times when the weather is hotter.
Lental Spiritual Fast: A lental spiritual fast is 40 days of fasting from sun up to sun down, Monday's thru Saturday's until Easter Sunday, (Sundays are excluded). This is done by drinking only liquids during the day and eating one complete meal after sunset. The objective is to put your focus on Jesus during the time of the day when you are less likely to. This can be safely done for the 40 days as long as you are drinking plenty of liquids. You need to stay hydrated when doing any type of fast.
Lental Elimination Fast: Another form of lental fasting is to eliminate one or more of your favortie things that you normally do or have on a regular basis for 40 days, such as watching television, eating chocolate, drinking soda. The objective is to put your focus on Jesus during the times you are wanting or craving the thing(s) you chose to elimiate.
What is Palm Sunday?
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Palm Sunday is the day we remember the "triumphal entry" of Jesus into Jerusalem, exactly one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1-11). Some 450-500 years earlier, the Prophet Zechariah had prophesied, "Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey (Zechariah 9:9). Matthew 21:7-9records the fulfillment of that prophecy in which they brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!" This event took place on the Sunday before Jesus' crucifixion.
In remembrance of this event, we celebrate Palm Sunday. It is referred to as "Palm Sunday" because of the palm branches that were laid on the road as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem. Palm Sunday was the fulfillment of the Prophet Daniel's "seventy sevens" prophecy (Daniel 9:25). John 1:11 tells us, "He came unto his own, and his own received him not." The same crowds that were crying out "Hosanna" were crying out "crucify Him" five days later (Matthew 27:22-23).
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What is Holy Week?
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Holy Week is the last week of Lent, when we follow Jesus from Palm Sunday, to his death on Good Friday in preparation for his rising from the dead on Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday or Passion Sunday: Jesus accompanied by his disciples, rode into Jerusalem on a colt, while crowds of people covered the streets ahead of him with their cloaks and with palm branches.
Monday: Jesus chased the money-changers out of the Temple.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Jesus preached and taught in Jerusalem.
Thursday: Also known as the Last Supper. After washing the feet of the disciples, Jesus celebrated Passover, instituting the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
Good Friday: Jesus was taken into Roman courts, before Pontius Pilate and Herod Antipas, who sent him back to the Jewish court. Roman soldiers took him to Golgotha, the place of the skull, where he was crucified.
Saturday: Jesus rested in the tomb while his disciples observed the Sabbath.
Easter Sunday: An angel met Mary Magdalene and "the other Mary" (perhaps Mary, the mother of James and John) at the tomb to tell them that Jesus was risen from the dead.
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What is Holy Thursday?
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On Holy Thursday (also called Maundy Thursday), Christians commemorate the Last Supper, a Passover meal that Jesus shared with his disciples the night before his death. It also observes the ceremony commoningly called the Holy Communion or Last Supper in which Jesus Christ broke bread and served drink in a cup. The bread is a symbol of the body of Jesus, never to be forgotten as it was given to us. The cup represents the blood of Jesus, never to be forgotten as he poured out His life for us. Jesus Christ has offered everybody the gift of His life, death and resurrection. The Last Supper reminds us of Christ's sacrifice, and that by faith in Him, we can dine with Christ for all eternity.
The Last Supper is described in three of the four New Testament Gospels, Matthew 26, Mark 14 and Luke 24. Here are some of the life-changing highlights, as recorded in the Gospel of Luke.
First, Jesus predicts He will suffer soon after this meal and it will be His last meal prior to finishing His work on behalf of the kingdom of God (Luke 22:15-16).
Second, Jesus gives His followers symbols of remembrance for His body and His blood sacrificed on behalf of all mankind. "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them saying, 'This is my body given for you; do this in remembrance of me'" (Luke 22:19).
Third, Jesus provides a very important principle for living a Christian life: the greatest are those who serve others, not those who expect to be served (Luke 22:26).
Finally, Jesus provides hope to his followers: "and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel" (Luke 22:29-30).
For over two thousand years, the Last Supper has inspired people to live by faith in Jesus Christ, by serving others instead of following the worldly influences of expecting to be served.
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What is Good Friday?
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Good Friday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. On this day Christians commemorate the Passion, or suffering, and death on the cross of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Many Christians spend this day in fasting, prayer, repentance, and meditation on the agony and suffering of Christ on the Cross. The biblical account of Jesus' death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.
Good Friday is a day of reflection on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It occurs two days before Easter is celebrated, so the date each year differs. Unlike other days that are considered holy by Christians, Good Friday is never “celebrated.” Rather it is observed with a variety of ceremonies in different sects of Christianity.
Most Christian congregations hold either prayers, meetings or solemn gatherings in churches on Good Friday, but in most cases, participation in these meetings are not considered mandatory. Even in the Catholic Church, no one is obligated to attend Mass on Good Friday, and in fact, a true Mass does not take place. There is no consecration of the host or reception of communion, but usually a reading of the New Testament account of Christ’s crucifixion, and many prayers. Also, for Catholics and other Christian's who choose to observe Good Friday it is often a day of fasting and abstention from fleshly meat. Especially during the three hours between 12pm and 3 pm, no food is taken as this is when Jesus was on the cross.
For Christians who observe Good Friday, the day is one to reflect on the sacrifice Christ made so that all people would be welcomed into heaven. Some focus on Christ’s suffering, by performing Passion Plays that reenact the death of Christ. It should be noted that the most churches frowns on Passion Plays, though they are performed in some predominantly Catholic countries. Some Passion Plays have sparked reactions of anger and hatred towards Christ's executioners, taking away from the solemnity of Good Friday and detracting from Christ's sacrifice.
Some Christians also argue that the focus on Christ’s death on Good Friday is only important in so far as it allows people to understand that Christ rose from the dead. The actual crucifixion is far less important and diverts focus from the life of Christ. Emphasis on the crucifixion and blow-by-blow accounts of it tend to focus on the evil done to Christ rather than the good Christ did.
In many countries, Good Friday is a national holiday. Banks may close, and it’s not uncommon for all businesses, like pubs and restaurants to close as well. This is the case in Ireland, where drinking on Good Friday is considered sacrilege.
In the US, customs vary as to what institutions remain opened or closed. Most school districts used to close on Good Friday, but now this varies from district to district. If the district is located in an area with a large population of Catholics or Christians who attend church services on the day, normally schools will close because too many children would be absent. Catholic and Christian schools almost always close on Good Friday.
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When is Easter Celebrated?
The date of Easter varies from year to year, taking place on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Easter falls on the first Sunday following the first full Moon after the vernal equinox (also called the first day of spring, March 21).
The the date of Easter is not fixed but is determined by a system based on a lunar calendar adapted from a formula decided by the Council of Nicaea in AD 325. In this system, Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the Spring equinox (the day when the sun’s ecliptic or apparent path in the sky crosses the equator, thus making days and nights of equal length). This usually occurs on March 21, which means the date of Easter can range between March 22 and April 25 depending on the lunar cycle.
What About The Easter Egg?
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Exchanging Easter eggs with one another is a custom that goes back thousands of years. Long before its association with Easter, the egg was a symbol of rebirth. Many ancient cultures used the egg to symbolize both rebirth and the universe. Ancient peoples such as the Persians, the Egyptians, the Chinese, the Gauls, and the Romans all used the egg in their springtime celebrations. Thus the origin of the Easter egg predates the origin of Christianity.
However, when Christianity spread to the lands of these ancient cultures, the exchanging of colored eggs became incorporated in the memorial celebration of Jesus' resurrection, the holy day that came to be known as Easter. These Easter eggs were colored and given as tokens to remind Christians of the tomb and Jesus' triumphant victory over death.
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What About Lambs & Bunnies?
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Lambs
A prominent Easter symbol in central and eastern European countries, the Easter lamb represents Jesus and relates His death to that of the lamb sacrificed on the first Passover. The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus in the Bible as He was called 'the Lamb of God'. This is because Lambs were and are still used in the Jewish faith as a sacrifice for people's sins and wrong doings. However, Jesus became the sacrifical lamb that saved us from sin. To be cleansed of sin we simply ask God in the name of Jesus to forgive us and all sin is forgiven.
The Easter Bunny
Like the origin of Easter, the origin of the Easter Bunny has roots that go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history. The holiday was originally a pagan celebration that worshipped the goddess Eastre. She was the goddess of fertility and springtime and her earthly symbol was the rabbit. Thus the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons worshipped the rabbit believing it to be Eastre's earthly incarnation. When the Anglo-Saxons were converted to Christianity, the pagan holiday, which occurred around the same time as the Christian memorial of Jesus' resurrection from the dead, was combined with the Christian celebration and given the name Easter. Originally, there were some pagan practices that went along with the Easter celebration. Today, Easter is often commercialized, with all the focus on eggs, the Easter bunny, etc.
