Student 24/7 Apr 2014 | Page 22

INSPIRATION Let’s go Easter egg Mildred Monageng For over many years now ever since we were growing up until this day, Easter meant nothing but fun, fun, fun . Since childhood for most of us the mention of the Easter holiday gave arousal to thoughts of bunnies and Easter eggs. This was the only reason why we looked forward to this holiday and when it was here we enjoyed it like it was our last. Most excitingly about the Easter holiday were the hunts we would undergo, usually set by our elders . Oh how much we enjoyed searching for these delicious, tender and chocolate-covered sponges and eggs . We still witness this even today, it seems like a fun tradition that our elders aren’t planning to let go off. However, is this exactly what Easter means ? Is this the idea that our fore coming children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren should have about Easter? Nope , indeed that is not all there is to Easter. Meaning if you still believed Easter to be a fun Hunt in search of chocolate eggs and sweets, you have got it all wrong. Yes, of course, Jesus, his death and resurrection have something to do with Easter, but what exactly about it? Firstly although Easter is a yearly holiday, it does not however fall unto the same date each year. Interesting isn’t it? So each year you have to wait for the calendar to tell you when you will be egg hunting again. Now back to Easter, people should understand it for what it really is. In a nutshell Easter is about the resurrection of Jesus Christ (the son of God) on the third day after he was crucified by the Jews in Calvary and died on the cross. It is celebrated in connection with the Jewish Passover. More so Easter is the culmination of the passion of Christ, preceded by a fortyday period of fasting and prayer. It is during this time that churches prepare special Easter programmes about the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. From a Christian perspective he died for peoples sins so that they may be saved and live a happier life. So for them it is because of Christ that they now live a free and better life. “Jesus said… ‘I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25-26. ESV). Christians therefore strongly hold on to these words which they believe makes their faith in Jesus Christ their saviour even stronger. 22 - Student 24/7 A third year BA Communication student Nomcebo Mncube said: “Jesus died and rose for me to be saved, I am here today because God sacrificed his sons life and let him shed blood and die for my sins to be cleansed and forgiven. I am here today because of Jesus Christ my saviour ; therefore I will praise him for as long as I live ” So now we all have it, Easter means Christ, his crucification and resurrection. Funny how we all grew up with the bunny idea of Easter, yet it’s a good thing because we are able to have fun on Easter as well rather than focusing all our attention on the resurrection of Christ. This upcoming Easter wake up early enough to go to church and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ our saviour , then later on you can go Easter egg hunting. Have a bunny-filled and egg-filled, Mmmmmm yummy Easter , Happy Easter Holiday !!!!!!