While I do think Christians would most definitely benefit by studying the origins of Easter (you might be shocked at what you find), I refrain from going as far as some go with their criticism as to its practice. See, I believe that without Jesus being the true substance of one’s life, any ceremony, feast, festival, or Sabbath day observed is but an empty ritual(Colossians 2:14-19). I do understand the concerns of so many in regards to the paganism one uncovers when you take an honest look at Easter, but I would argue that in many churches, sorcery is being practiced on a weekly basis. Any attempt to move in, manipulate, or interact with the spiritual realm that is not birthed by the Holy Spirit of God is sorcery, or empty religion at best. We know that the Holy Spirit always glorifies, testifies, and reveals Jesus; so, if we aren’t encountering the risen Jesus in our gatherings, what are we really doing?
We must understand that we have been called to have a right now, present tense, ongoing intimate relationship with the resurrected, living Son of God everyday. Ask some who call themselves believers, “What has the Lord been speaking to you lately?” and they won’t even understand what you are asking. We get all excited because it’s Easter, but are we living in the reality that Jesus is alive everyday? Jesus is life itself. Once a year holidays and ceremonies, without an abiding intimacy with Jesus, are meaningless.
When it comes to our holy days & holidays, I often think of the Jews who led Jesus to Pilat
e’s Praetorium just prior to his crucifixion. The Bible says that they themselves would not go into the Praetorium because they didn’t want to defile themselves, and be unable to eat the Passover (John 19:28). Do you see how ridiculous this is? They were bound and determined to observe the Passover, and failed to recognize that the true Passover Lamb was standing right beside them! Like them, are we practicing our rituals and ceremonies without truly knowing the Jesus who is the reality of them all?
Friends, Jesus is alive- everyday.
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