| Easter |
The Meaning of
Easter
On Sunday , April 17th , we will celebrate Easter . “ Easter ” is a word of Saxon origin . Originally the celebration was to honor Estra , the goddess of spring . It occurred around Passover time each year , but by the 8th century , the Anglo-Saxons had adopted the name as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ .
The resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead was the single most important event the world has ever seen . Why ? It validated Jesus of Nazareth as truly being the Christ . It proved He was the Son of God . His resurrection qualified Christ as our High Priest , and we will never have need of any other .
Our materialistic society has corrupted Easter as it has Christmas . Society has made it into just another commercial opportunity . But Easter is not at all about eggs and bunnies . It is about our only opportunity to live forever in heaven . Unfortunately , there are many children , and even adults , who really have no idea of what Easter is all about .
The Apostle Paul told us , “ For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received : that 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 , and that He was seen by Cephas then by the twelve . After that He was seen by over 500 brethren at once , of whom the greater part remain to the present , but some have fallen asleep ” ( 1 Corinthians 15:3-6 ). Paul also declared that if Christ had not risen from death , our faith would be futile and we would be pitiful indeed . If Christ had not risen , we would all
by RALPH FUDGE still be in our sins and destined for eternity in hell .
Not only did Christ truly rise from the dead , so will we who die believing in Him and trusting Him as our Savior . Paul goes on to tell us that all people still living at His return will be changed — in a moment , in the twinkling of an eye . However , Paul also tells us that all the dead in Christ will rise first from their graves ( 1 Thessalonians 4:16 ). This is a wonderful promise from God . And God keeps ALL of His promises .
Those who die as believers leave behind family with hope of seeing them again . It is so easy to preach the funeral of a believer . However , I always require permission to preach Jesus when asked to officiate . This is not only because I want to be a good witness for the Lord . There are usually people at all funerals who never attend church or hear the gospel at any other time . It distresses me how many of our people no longer believe God ’ s Word ( the Bible ) or even that God exists . Satan has really been able to make headway in most of the world today . What a great and tragic pity it is that most people will never see heaven ! I truly believe and constantly preach that trusting Christ is the single most important thing you can ever do on earth . I also preach that the opportunity to be saved and see heaven is limited to this earthly life . Once anyone dies , his opportunity to be saved is forever gone . God gives us many chances while we are on earth . Once we are dead , it ’ s all over . Hebrews 9:27 warns us , “ And as it is appointed for men to die once , but after this the judgment .” So don ’ t ever waste your breath praying for the dead . It will do no good at all .
78 April | May 2022 Thomasville Scene