April- Resurrection of the Messiah Month

Most Christians will celebrate the most important day of the Christian calendar on first Sunday of this month. Resurrection Sunday, or Easter, as this holiday is more often called is at the very core of Christian faith and practice. However, in the minds of many if not most people, Resurrection Sunday is actually accorded much less emphasis than is given to Messiah’s Day or Christmas. Perhaps that is because the latter has become more of a secular or national holiday than a religious observance.

Now, we affirm that God Used five great acts to Bless and Reveal God’s Ultimate Plan and Purpose for creation: Jesus’ birth, ministry, execution, Resurrection and the ascension. The birth, ministering and death of Jesus are awesome demonstrations of God’s Power at Work in a human being and the perfect example for humankind. But it is The Resurrection and ascension of Jesus that elevates Jesus far above God’s many other messengers/servants. “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, Jesus offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to The One Who Could Save him from death, and he Was Heard because of his reverent submission. Although (The Christ) Jesus was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once Made Perfect, Jesus became the source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him and Was Designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchi-zedek.”(Hebrews 5:7-10 NIV)

Some may ask, “Why do we insist on calling this Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter Sunday. There are several reasons other than semantics. For one, the name Easter has not direct religious or theological roots, its origins are actually pagan so to have this associated with the greatest of Christian events is highly problematic to say the least. Also, so many legends or icons, some pagan and others cultural but not Christian limits and may even negate the spiritual significance and observance of this divine event.

I Corinthians 15:12-34, teaches our faith would be in vain unless God Restored Jesus to life. Jesus would be a powerful teacher and great example, but also fatally flawed if there was no resurrection. Jesus would be at best, sincere but misguided, and at worst a liar who deliberately deceived his followers, and us. This is why the life, death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus is the zenith of the Christian calendar. Because the Resurrection is so vital to us, we refuse to use pagan names/symbols, such as “Easter,” bunnies laying eggs, and clothing as worthy to be associated with God’s Great Act of Revelation for all of creation. Resurrection Sunday celebrates and honors God Mighty Action and prepares Christians for Pentecost, when the Christian Church Was Birthed by The Holy Spirit as promised.

Thank God for God’s Revelation and our Salvation!