The Significance and History of Easter in Christianity

The Biblical Foundation of Easter

While Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, Easter commemorates the central event of the Christian faith: Christ's suffering, crucifixion, and resurrection, through which He saved humankind from sin and death. According to the Gospels, Jesus was crucified at 9 a.m. and died at 3 p.m., being placed in the tomb in the early evening of Good Friday (Mt 27:46-50,57-60; Mk 15:25,33-39). This fulfilled His own prophecy to His disciples that "He must be killed and after three days rise again" (Mt 12:40; Mk 8:31).

Following His resurrection from the grave on Sunday, the first day of the week, and His subsequent appearances to the disciples, the early Church began to celebrate Sunday as the Lord's Day, distinguishing it from the Jewish Sabbath observed on Saturday (Mk 16:9). This shift in worship day marked a significant development in Christian practice, centering the weekly observance on the day of Christ's resurrection rather than the traditional day of rest.

Theological Meaning and Modern Observance

Easter Sunday is observed on the first Sunday following the full moon after the vernal equinox, which explains why the date varies annually between March 22 and April 25. This calculation connects the Christian celebration with both solar and lunar cycles, maintaining a relationship with the Jewish calendar while establishing a distinct Christian timing. Easter Day also marks the culmination of Lent, a 40-day season of fasting, prayer, and repentance that many churches observe in preparation for celebrating Easter. This period of spiritual discipline mirrors Jesus' 40 days of fasting in the wilderness and serves as a time of reflection on the significance of Christ's sacrifice.

The Connection to Passover

The Jewish Passover feast, which commemorates the "passing over" of the destroying angel during the final plague in Egypt and the subsequent exodus that formed the Jewish nation, serves as

Thank you, Jesus, for dying in my place

a profound foreshadowing of the atonement accomplished by Christ's death and resurrection. As the apostle Paul wrote, "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Cor 5:7). This theological connection is further emphasized by the fact that on the night of His arrest, Jesus was celebrating the Passover with His disciples (Mt 26:18-20). The significance of this timing is profound—the Old Testament remembrance of physical liberation was fulfilled and transcended by the ultimate spiritual liberation achieved through Christ's sacrifice on the very day of the Passover celebration.

The Substitutionary Atonement

The reason for Easter is the belief that Jesus Christ died on the cross as a substitute for humanity, taking upon Himself the punishment that we deserve for our sins. We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), creating a separation between humanity and a holy God, with the penalty of sin being death (Rom 6:23). This isn't merely physical death but spiritual death - eternal separation from God.

God's nature is perfectly holy and just, demanding that sin be punished. Because sin is committed against an infinite God, it carries infinite consequences that no finite human could ever pay. Christ's substitutionary death provides the solution: as both fully God and fully man, Jesus was the only one who could serve as an adequate substitute, offering Himself as a perfect sacrifice despite living a sinless life.

"God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him, we might become the righteousness of God" (2 Cor 5:21). This satisfies God's righteous demands against sin, removing guilt and restoring our relationship with God. "But God demonstrates His

We don't have to face God's judgment for our sin

own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Rom 5:8), providing the only way for sinful humanity to be reconciled to a holy God.

Secular Influences on Easter

Despite the profound theological significance of Easter as the most sacred Christian celebration, its meaning has often been obscured by secular and commercial elements such as hot cross buns, rabbits, and Easter eggs. While hot cross buns maintain a tenuous connection to the crucifixion through their cross marking, the imagery of rabbits and eggs derives primarily from pagan traditions associated with fertility and rebirth, having been incorporated into Easter celebrations through cultural syncretism rather than biblical foundation.

Reflection and Application:

Consider how the reality of Christ’s resurrection impacts your daily life and decisions.
Reflect on the depth of God’s love demonstrated in Christ’s substitutionary death—He died in your place.
Examine areas of your life where you struggle to accept forgiveness and allow Christ’s righteousness to cover you.
Commit to sharing the hope of Easter with someone in your circle who needs to hear the good news of new life in Christ.