ALT-1 Assessing the Traditions of Easter
Should we celebrate Easter?
Christendom believes it is important to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. So the churches are filled with people who are told that it is right to come to church on Easter Sunday.
Tell me, what does the resurrection of Jesus Christ have in common with Easter? The holiday of Easter is, as all know, from pagan origins and completely commercialized. When people go to church on that weekend, it is a lot of revenue for all the churches. So Christendom tolerates this pagan holiday.
But wait! Where in the Bible, does it say to celebrate Jesus resurrection? Jesus instituted the Lord's Evening Meal or Memorial, and said for his disciples to celebrate this anniversary on Nisan 14, only once a year.
When an anniversary is celebrated, for example, a wedding anniversary, how many times a year is it celebrated? Only once. Does that mean that the Lord's Evening Meal should be celebrated only once a year. According to the Scriptures, the answer is yes. Jesus said to do this as often as it is celebrated. Since the first time, it has been celebrated over 1900 times.
Christendom celebrates the Lord's Evening Meal or communion daily, weekly, or monthly, but that is not what Jesus said. An anniversary is a very important special event. If done daily, weekly or monthly, it is not as important and one can not mediate on the significance of the occasion.
During the evening of Nisan 14, the Passover was celebrated according to the Jewish anniversary of deliverance from Egyptian bondage. When that meal was over, Jesus dismissed Judas Iscariot, Then he instituted the communion for a Kingdom with the faithful eleven. Luke 22:28.
Jesus died to uphold his heavenly Father's sovereignty, proving Satan a liar, who charged humans serve God only for selfish motives. Job 2:1-5.
Also, this is to remind us that Jesus gave his perfect life as a ransom sacrifice. Matthew 20:28. The first man, Adam, sinned against God and forfeited perfect human life for himself and his children. Genesis 3. This meal reminds us of how much Jesus and his Father has shown such a great love for humankind. John 3:16.
"This means my body," Jesus said. 1 Corthrintians 11:24. The bread was made of whole wheat flour with no leaven, salt or anything, and a little water. Not white flour. Mark 14:22.
Fermented wine was used to drink, representing the blood of Jesus sacrifice, so we could have everlasting life. 1 Peter 1:18,19.
A very important point to remember is that there were only eleven apostles were there and not all of his disciples. This signifies that only a small group were to partake of the bread and wine. These would rule with Jesus in his Kingdom as kings and priests. Revelation 5:9,10; 7:1-8; 14:1-3; 20:6. The other disciples, since that time are to be observers and meditate on the importance of the event. Revelation 7:9-18; John 10:16.
Celebrate a pagan holiday or the anniversary of his death? "Do not become unevenly yolked with unbelievers." 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. Our choice or decision can mean our very life, everlasting life that our heavenly Father has promised. What does the Lord's Evening Meal mean to you?
