The origin of Easter

The origin and story behind the Easter is truly interesting. Easter is a Christian celebration which celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection of Jesus is described in the New Testament, and Easter celebrates the third day of his death on the cross and resurrection. 

If thinking of the theological significance, the resurrection established Jesus as the Son of God and is cited as proof that God will righteously judge the world. The First Epistle (letter) of Peter states that God gave believers “a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1: 3-5). Christian theology hold that, by faith in the working of God, the ones who follow Jesus are spiritually resurrected with him and freed from sin so that they may walk in a new way of life and receive eternal salvation and hope to be physically resurrected to live with him in the Kingdom of Heaven. 

Easter is also linked with the Passover (celebration of when Israel left Egypt) which is recorded in the Old Testament. Apostle Paul states, in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5:7). Paul referred to a Jewish law that required Jews to eliminate leavening from their homes in advance of Passover, and to the representation of Jesus as the lamb.

In the Old Testament the Jews would sacrifice a lamb for forgiveness of sins. Jesus celebrated Passover with his disciples and that was his last supper before death. He took the bread (representing his body) and wine (representing Jesus’s blood poured out for the world) and made them symbols of his death.

Around 80% of Americans celebrate Easter, and it is celebrated in almost 95 countries. Easter and the season also have some decorations, symbols, and traditions, for example: Easter eggs, bunnies, lilies, crosses, baskets, and more. The eggs symbolizes new life and rebirth. There is also the made up story that the Easter bunny secretly hides eggs with treats for kids to find in the morning. The Easter Bunny is a symbol of new life and springtime. The basket of eggs symbolizes new life and the potential for renewal. Lilies are a symbol of purity and hope. Lastly, the cross symbolizes the sacrifice of Jesus.

Easter is a holiday that brings hope and happens in Spring. The origins of this holiday are very interesting, and no matter how you celebrate it, have a happy Easter.