Easter vs. Resurrection Sunday

Every year there are many “discussions” about the “Easter” holiday. I’ve listened to many opinions and read varying “you should or you shouldn’t take part” posts . Today I will just repost a few of my thoughts from the past….

Is the way that Easter (not Resurrection Sunday) is celebrated and are some of the images used for “Easter” such as rabbits, eggs etc. pagan in nature? Of course and most people, Christian or not, already know that. The unsaved world doesn’t care but sadly, year after year, it is discussed and, at times, intensely argued about in churches. I’m sure Satan loves the distraction and hard feelings it causes within the body of Christ.

Now don’t misunderstand me….within the local church I completely understand that  a Pastor should and must teach the truth and set certain limits for the protection of the flock that he is accountable for. This is not about a specific pastor or his guidance/teaching within the local assembly that he is responsible for.  This is about my personal actions and thoughts before Christ. Personally………. I simply don’t care what a person wants to call it- Easter, Resurrection Sunday, or even Funny bunny day. I have no problem giving or eating  dyed hard boiled eggs or chocolate bunnies that come tucked in little baskets. I will use what Satan has set in place to draw people away from Christ and cause division within the church to share God’s mercy, grace and salvation message without apology. You may shake your head in disgust and think me too liberal or even whisper that I’m a heretic. That’s okay, it doesn’t matter to me and, not to sound mean, but your approval is not what matters to me. This is between me and my Lord. What  matters to me is that people know they can discuss anything with me and that I will open Gods word for the answers. What matters is that they see Christ in me as we talk. I will openly, honestly, talk about the pagan roots and then with great joy and awe I will tell them how Jesus came to set us free from all that bondage. I will share my testimony and tell them of Gods grace and mercy. And………..I will share why I now call it Resurrection Sunday. I will talk about a spear, a crown of thorns and a borrowed tomb. I will talk about it all to anyone that will listen. In a world where my Bible and my God is openly mocked, where ordinances and laws are being passed that outlaw Christian beliefs and practices, where the martyrdom of Christians is on the rise and soul after soul is slipping away into hell in record number, I will take ANY opportunity to share the gospel.

Only the Lord knows what will happen if we extend his mercy, his love and his grace while sharing and talking with that unsaved friend, neighbor, family member or stranger. Only he knows who will, maybe for the first time, see the cross clearly and then peer into an empty tomb, in awe, as jelly beans melt in their hands. So in prayer I will seek out anyone that will listen and I pray that the Lord allow the shadow of a cross to fall over that hollow chocolate bunny melting quietly in a basket as I share the greatest story ever told — The death, burial and resurrection of my Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST!

1 Corinthians 10:27-33(KJV)

27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, this is offered in sacrifice unto idols, eat not for his sake that shewed it, and for conscience sake: for the earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof: 29 Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my liberty judged of another man’s conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.