Are Today"s Easter Symbols a Picture of Christianity?
On Easter weekend, those of the Christian faith celebrate the crucifixion and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We now have several symbols in our Easter celebration, but few of us know what they are and what they mean.
Why is Christ's death & resurrection so important? We must first look back in history long before Jesus Christ lived on earth.
In ancient times, those of the Jewish faith celebrated Passover around this same time of the year.
The Passover feast commemorated the Israelite captivity in Egypt under the cruel hand of Pharaoh.
The last plague that God sent on the land was that of the death of every firstborn.
Blood on the doorposts of Israelite households spared them as the Angel of Death spread through the land.
The lamb had to be slain and blood shed so the Angel of Death passed over families.
The blood saved those inside the home from God's wrath as He pours it out on His enemies.
Similarly, the Lamb of God was slain and blood was shed.
As God's Lamb, Jesus Christ's blood saves us from the wrath of God which will fall upon God's enemies as well.
Let's take a look at some of our Easter symbols that remind us of Christ's death & resurrection.
* The Easter egg- The use of eggs in celebration existed long before our modern day observance.
Eggs were given and received as symbols of rebirth.
Eggs are a good illustration of Christ's rebirth.
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.
" (I Corinthians 15:3-4) Use this time to remind your children of Christ's resurrection to a new life, just like eggs are symbols of rebirth.
* The Easter bunny- The idea of the rabbit as a part of Christian tradition is seen in the idea of the new life.
Rabbits multiply quickly and symbolize this new life.
Before the modern age, you were quickly reminded of the cycles of life through agrarian society.
Every year they saw crops grow to maturity.
There are cycles of life in the Christian life as we see new life and abundance throughout a lifetime.
* The Cross- The symbol of the cross is central to Christian's celebration of Easter.
It is a continual reminder of Jesus' death and sacrifice for you.
The blood shed on the cross is necessary to receive eternal forgiveness of your sins.
"All things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
" (Hebrews 9:22) Now you know the origins of the holiday of Easter.
Will this knowledge change anything about your observance? As you consider these ideas, remember you want to teach your children what these symbols mean in relationship to the Christian celebration of Easter.
We now have several symbols in our Easter celebration, but few of us know what they are and what they mean.
Why is Christ's death & resurrection so important? We must first look back in history long before Jesus Christ lived on earth.
In ancient times, those of the Jewish faith celebrated Passover around this same time of the year.
The Passover feast commemorated the Israelite captivity in Egypt under the cruel hand of Pharaoh.
The last plague that God sent on the land was that of the death of every firstborn.
Blood on the doorposts of Israelite households spared them as the Angel of Death spread through the land.
The lamb had to be slain and blood shed so the Angel of Death passed over families.
The blood saved those inside the home from God's wrath as He pours it out on His enemies.
Similarly, the Lamb of God was slain and blood was shed.
As God's Lamb, Jesus Christ's blood saves us from the wrath of God which will fall upon God's enemies as well.
Let's take a look at some of our Easter symbols that remind us of Christ's death & resurrection.
* The Easter egg- The use of eggs in celebration existed long before our modern day observance.
Eggs were given and received as symbols of rebirth.
Eggs are a good illustration of Christ's rebirth.
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.
" (I Corinthians 15:3-4) Use this time to remind your children of Christ's resurrection to a new life, just like eggs are symbols of rebirth.
* The Easter bunny- The idea of the rabbit as a part of Christian tradition is seen in the idea of the new life.
Rabbits multiply quickly and symbolize this new life.
Before the modern age, you were quickly reminded of the cycles of life through agrarian society.
Every year they saw crops grow to maturity.
There are cycles of life in the Christian life as we see new life and abundance throughout a lifetime.
* The Cross- The symbol of the cross is central to Christian's celebration of Easter.
It is a continual reminder of Jesus' death and sacrifice for you.
The blood shed on the cross is necessary to receive eternal forgiveness of your sins.
"All things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.
" (Hebrews 9:22) Now you know the origins of the holiday of Easter.
Will this knowledge change anything about your observance? As you consider these ideas, remember you want to teach your children what these symbols mean in relationship to the Christian celebration of Easter.
