AFM Tongaat Apostle Ronnie Naidoo

The commercialisation of Easter – an emphasis on it being holiday time and Easter eggs for children – has to a large extent blunted its true significance.

Do Christians still take time to truly reflect on the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and the impact on us as believers?

The word Easter appears once in the King James version of the Bible, in Acts 12 v 4: “And when he had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.”

The resurrection of our Lord Jesus fell on the same day of this festival called Easter. It was a pagan celebration for centuries prior to the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It also coincides with the Passover celebrations of the Jewish folk commemorating their freedom from Egyptian bondage.

Easter is always associated with the Passion Week of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection, hence the name Easter Sunday.

It is the annual Christian celebration honouring the resurrection and not celebrating pagan festivals.

The resurrection is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, signifying the fulfilment of God’s plan of redemption and offering to the world the promise of salvation and eternal life.

It is a day of immense joy and hope as Christians celebrate the victory of light over darkness, life over death and the triumph of God’s love for humanity.

The resurrection is seen as the central doctrine of Christianity, emphasising the hope and redemption offered through faith in Jesus Christ.

Without the resurrection, there is no Christianity – 1 Corinthians 15 v 14: “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen.”

Non-religious traditions

There are many non-religious traditions such as the Easter bunny, Easter eggs and Easter egg hunts. The pagan celebration of Easter is associated with the goddess of fertility, hence the egg symbolises birthing and new life.

Because the resurrection fell on the same day, a fusion of the celebrations emerged.

One thing to note is when an Eater egg is broken, there is nothing inside, which symbolically suggests the empty tomb. When the stone was rolled away, the body of Jesus Christ was not inside.

But one must not not place emphasis on the non-essentials but rather focus on the true meaning of Easter – the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

We go to church on Good Friday to remember why He died for us. We go to church on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection from the dead and to be reminded that He will return.

We celebrate the empty tomb, the risen Lord Jesus Christ. Amen!

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