What Is the True Meaning of Easter? Why Is it Celebrated?
What is Easter? Easter is one of the central holidays, or Holy Days, of Christianity. It honors the Resurrection of Jesus three days after His death by crucifixion. For many Christian churches, Easter is the joyful conclusion to the Lenten season of devoted prayer, fasting, and penitence.
Along with the Nativity of Christ, Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the Christian calendar. It is when Christians glorify and give thanks for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After His crucifixion, death, and burial, Christ rose from the grave three days later. By this, He conquered death and redeemed us from sin.
What Event Happened on Easter?
Easter is celebrated by Christians to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the New Testament of the Bible. According to Christian beliefs, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday, and three days later, on Easter Sunday, He rose from the dead, symbolizing victory over sin and death.
According to the New Testament accounts, Easter Sunday began with the dawn of a new day, following the sorrowful crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday. As the sun rose, the women who had followed Jesus, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, made their way to the tomb where Jesus had been laid. Upon arrival, they discovered the stone rolled away from the entrance and the tomb empty.
This momentous discovery was accompanied by the appearance of angels who proclaimed the astounding news: "He is not here; he has risen, just as he said" (Matthew 28:6). Overwhelmed with awe and wonder, the women rushed to share the incredible news with the disciples. Meanwhile, Jesus himself appeared to Mary Magdalene near the tomb, and later to other followers, including two disciples on the road to Emmaus and to the gathered disciples in Jerusalem.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, signifying the fulfillment of God's plan for redemption and offering believers the promise of eternal life. It is a day of immense joy and hope, as Christians celebrate the victory of light over darkness, life over death, and the triumph of God's love for humanity. Easter Sunday serves as a profound reminder of the transformative power of faith and the enduring message of hope that resonates throughout the ages.
Why Do Christians Celebrate Easter?
Easter is considered the most important and joyful celebration in the Christian liturgical calendar. It is a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of Jesus' sacrifice and the promise of eternal life. The resurrection is seen as a central doctrine of Christianity, emphasizing the hope and redemption offered through faith in Jesus Christ.
The significance of Easter is Jesus Christ's triumph over death. His resurrection means the eternal life that is granted to all who believe in Him. The purpose of Easter also means the full confirmation of all that Jesus taught and preached during His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead or simply died and not been resurrected, He would have been thought of as just another teacher or prophet. However, His resurrection rebuked all that and provided final and undeniable proof that He was the Son of God and that He had overcome death once and for all.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the core of the Christian gospel. Saint Paul says that if Christ is not raised from the dead, then our preaching and hope are in vain (1 Cor. 15:14). Certainly, without the resurrection, there would be no Christian preaching or faith. The apostles of Christ would have continued as the disheartened group, which the Gospel of John depicts as being in hiding for fear of the Jews. They were in total despair until they met the risen Christ (John 20:19). Then they touched Christ's wounds of the nails and the spear; they ate and drank with Him. The resurrection became the foundation of everything they said and did (Acts 2-4): “...for a spirit has not flesh and bones as you see that I have” (Luke 24:39).
The resurrection affirms Jesus of Nazareth as the prophesied Messiah of Israel and the King and Lord of a new Jerusalem: a new heaven and a new earth.
Culled from christianity.com
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