What Everyone Ought to Know About Easter; Part One

Easter, it’s that time of the year where we celebrate the Easter Bunny sneaking into our houses; in the early pre-dawn hours; leaving eggs, chocolate, and a stuffed bunny in our Easter baskets. At least this was how we celebrated Easter in my family. This wonderful surprise was typically followed by going to church filled with people who would only venture there once a year to make God happy. After going to the Easter service our family would hunt for Easter eggs and stuff ourselves with a lunch that would equal the portions of Thanksgiving dinner. Afterward, we would eagerly wait for the next holiday full of feasting and presents. As child I often would wonder exactly how eggs, a rabbit, and the resurrection of Jesus were connected. For some reason the resurrection was not adequately explained to me and I was convinced that Jesus came to the world every year at Easter, and every year he was crucified, buried for three days, and resurrected on the third day. I am happy to say that over time the facts of the resurrection were cleared up for me. Exactly how rabbits and eggs connect remains a mystery.

Of course if I spent the majority of this post discussing how I think eggs and rabbits connect it would be a waste of my time and yours. So what exactly is my point; the resurrection. The resurrection is the real reason that we celebrate Easter. It doesn’t matter if long ago Emperor Constantine combined a pagan holiday with the resurrection, or however it happened. What matters is the resurrection, the Apostle Paul writes, “…if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins…If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.”[1] So basically Paul says that the resurrection is absolutely critical to our faith. So how can we be certain that the resurrection actually occurred? Is there any evidence? Or do we just have to accept it by blind faith? The answer is that there is evidence that the resurrection is a historical fact. I would love to fill this post with all of the evidence but I don’t have that much room and besides I would be taking you away from researching it for yourself. However, I will write about a few things to help you with your research. So hop on over next week to read all about the evidence when i continue with part two of What Everyone Ought to Know about Easter.

About Erin

Erin Herbst gave her life to Jesus Christ around the age of eight and has been joyfully serving the Lord since that time.  Erin is happily married and has two young children with another on the way. She has been ministering to college students since 2004, with Master Plan Ministries. As well as being a wife, mother, and minister to college students she is also working toward a Master’s degree at Liberty University. 

---

Sharing this article over at these awesome blogs.

[1] 1 Cor 15:14,17,19, NIV.