Easter

Easter is mentioned only once in the Bible -- Acts 12:4 -- where in context it refers to the Passover season. The Passover was a fixed date which came at the same time of year, the 14th of the month Nisan. Yet in our culture (the "West"), when we celebrate what we call Easter, which is supposed to acknowledge the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have a day that moves around based on the first Sunday following the full moon that falls on or after the spring equinox. (Oh, the confusion of it all!)

All confusion aside, we know that Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept (1 Corinthians 15:20). Every Lord's Day when we meet, every new morning and every new life ought to be a reminder of the glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ's resurrection is God's firstfruits, the earnest guarantee of the future resurrection of His saints. His indwelling Spirit completes that earnest -- Christ in you, the hope of glory!

Jesus said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live. (John 11:25). 

"I Am, saith CHRIST, our glorious head, 
(May we attention give) 
The resurrection of the dead, 
The life of all that live. 

By faith in me, the soul receives 
New life, though dead before; 
And he that in my name believes, 
Shall live, to die no more. 

The sinner, sleeping in his grave, 
Shall at my voice awake; 
And when I once begin to save, 
My work I ne'er forsake."

Fulfill thy promise, gracious LORD, 
On us assembled here, 
Put forth thy Spirit with the word, 
And cause the dead to hear. 

Preserve the pow'r of faith alive, 
In those who love thy name; 
For sin and Satan daily strive 
To quench the sacred flame. 

Thy pow'r and mercy first prevailed 
From death to set us free; 
And often since our life had failed, 
If not renewed by thee. 

To thee we look, to thee we bow; 
To thee, for help, we call; 
Our life and resurrection thou, 
Our hope, our joy, our all. 

Hymn 116, The resurrection and the life. Jn 11:25, from Olney Hymns, John Newton (Common Meter)