Have you ever felt disenfranchised? Like someone robbed you of a privilege or right?
I am going to use this week’s Nugget to vent a little bit.
When I learned that Easter services were set for the end of March, I scratched my head thinking, “But the Feast of Passover isn’t until the end of April, how can it be the time to celebrate the Resurrection?”
Then, I read an article sent out by Koinonia House Ministries that explained the reason that the church celebrates Easter on a date that does not coincide with the anniversary of the resurrection.
Apparently, the early church leaders were so filled with hatred for the Jews that they detested the idea of any celebration of the resurrection coinciding with the Jewish celebration of Passover.
So, they opted to ally with the pagan celebration of the fertility goddess, Astarte, from whom we get the word, Easter.
The early church went to great pains to ensure that Easter celebrations and Passover would not coincide.
Another misconception passed down to us is that Jesus was crucified on a Friday, but it most likely took place on a Wednesday.
After reading the article, I was just flat out cranky about being robbed by church leadership of the right to celebrate resurrection day on its proper anniversary.
So, while even today’s church leadership continues to ignore this error, I will choose to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on the Sunday following the end of Passover week.
If you see me at church on May 1st this year, and I say, “He is risen!” you will know why.
To this point in history, there has been no more important day than Resurrection Day.
The Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the evidence that His blood was accepted by the Father as payment in full for mankind’s sin debt.
It is because of the Resurrection that believers can be reconciled to the Father and receive the very life and essence of Jesus through the Holy Spirit.
It is because of the Resurrection of Jesus, that we are transformed from children of wrath in Adam to children of grace in Christ…. transformed for sinners to saints!
Hallelujah! He is Risen indeed!
There I feel better. Have a blessed Resurrection Day on May 1st.
Blessings!
Robyn