The Plain Truth about Easter
Like dumb sheep to the slaughter, most of mankind continues to blindly follow pagan traditions, rather than obey God's clear commands (Mark 7:7). Has it ever occurred to those stuffing their faces with Easter ham that Jesus would puke at the thought? Neither Jesus or Peter, James or John ever ate forbidden foods. They wouldn't feel too comfortable at plenty of people's dinner tables.
Even the early Gentile converts to Jewish Christianity respected the biblical dietary laws (Acts 15:20), understanding that not all foods are sanctioned by the Creator in the Holy Scriptures (I Tim. 4:5).
When John the Baptist recognized Jesus as our Passover sacrifice, he declared: "Behold the Lamb of God" (Jn. 1:29). He didn't say, "Here comes the Easter Bunny!" Again, like the Easter ham, the Easter rabbit is also rejected in the Bible as an abomination (Lev. 11:6-7).
The very name of Easter exposes itself as a heathen festival, although it's cloaked as "Christian." Easter/Ishtar/Astarte is the Babylonian spring goddess our Israelite/Anglo-Saxon forefathers foolishly worshipped. Hence the fertility symbols of rabbits and eggs.
God isn't fooled by such baptized paganism, such whitewashed heathen customs (Deut. 12:30). He commands us to commemorate Jesus' death every Passover and recognize His atoning work of redemption as our resurrected High Priest in Heaven, unleavening our lives of sin (I Cor. 5:7-8). The early Church followed Jesus' Jewish example for several hundred years until Gentile opposition (from false converts) threatened them with a death sentence if they didn't bow before Easter observances (the Quarto-Deciman controversy)!
A growing number now know, understand and believe the biblical account that we're to observe Passover and that Jesus was resurrected before sunrise Sunday, "when it was yet dark" (Jn. 10:1). Others prefer to reject this light of understanding to remain in their traditional darkness (John 3:19).
Thankfully, every generation has those chosen few who are willing to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered" (Jude 3). Hopefully, this will cause you to question your beliefs and provide some kosher food for thought!
About the Author
David Ben-Ariel, an American author who has travelled widely and who has lived throughout Israel, shares a special focus on the Middle East and great interest in Jerusalem, reflected in hard-hitting articles that help others improve their understanding of that troubled region. Check out www.benariel.com