By Beds SU
Wednesday, 6 April 2022
WHAT IS EASTER?
Easter tends to be associated with a mixture of chocolate eggs, sweets, and over-excited children. However, this was not the original purpose of the celebration.
All over the world, on Sunday the 17th of April, Christians will be gathering to celebrate more than chocolate eggs.
IF IT ISN’T ABOUT CHOCOLATE, WHAT IS EASTER REALLY ABOUT?
Christians believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God came into the world from the Father, born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, did wonderful miracles, exceeded expectations and loved the outcasts, was crucified for the sins of humanity. Then, on the third day — this is Easter, the celebration of that Sunday — he was raised from the dead never to die again .
WHAT IS THE LINK TO EASTER AND EASTER EGGS
The egg has long been viewed as a symbol of fertility and restoration. According to Britannica 'European 'Pagans' (a term used to refer to people who practiced a variety of non-Christian traditions) believed the egg to be a symbol of springtime regeneration. It is understood that Early Christians adapted this idea to symbolise Jesus's resurrection from the tomb. As a result the cracking of the egg shell and the emergence of the egg/contents symbolises new life.
WHY DOES EASTER MATTER?
Easter matters because isn’t just a yearly celebration. Easter is a yearly occasion that reminds Christians on a daily basis (not just once a year) that they are:
Forgiven
Psalm 103 says, ‘He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities…as far as the east is from the west, so far he removes our transgressions from us.
Loved
Romans 5.8 says, ‘But God proves his love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us’.
Not alone
1 John 3.16-18 says, ‘We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us – and we ought to lay down our lives for one another’.
Cared for
1 Peter 5.7 says, ‘Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you’.
SERVICES
Below are two local churches that you can attend to try out an Easter service, if you wish to:
Bedford
St Mary’s Goldington
Easter Service - 9.30am
St Mary the Virgin, Goldington
Church Lane, Bedford
MK41 0AP
Luton
St Mary’s Luton
10.30am
St Mary’s Luton
Church Street
Luton, LU1 3JF
Footnote - Paraphrase, https://www.desiringgod.org/interviews/what-makes-easter-so-special, [first paragraph]