Happy Easter

One day, during Lent, the first grade PSR teacher was teaching the kids about Easter. She asked if they knew what Easter was. A little girl in the front row raised her hand. (Little girls in the first row always raise their hands). When the teacher called on her she said, “Easter is the day when we all dress up in costumes. We go to the neighbors’ houses and they give us candy.”

The teacher said, “No, Susy, that’s Halloween. Does anyone else know what Easter is?”

Another little girl raised her hand. “Easter is when we all go down to the riverfront and there’s lots of food, and rides, and music, and when it gets dark we sit on the steps in front of the arch and they have pretty fireworks.”

“No, Mary. That’s the Fourth of July.” Does anyone else know.”

Little Johnny sat in the back row. He was a sweet little boy, but he liked to fool around in class and didn’t always pay attention. He wasn’t very successful when it came to answering questions. But, he was waving his hand frantically. He was almost jumping up and down. The teacher wasn’t sure whether he knew the answer to the question or if he had to go to the bathroom. Reluctantly, she called on Johnny.

“Teacher, Easter is when Jesus dies and they put Him in the tomb and on the third day he comes out of the tomb.” The teacher was in shock. Johnny was actually paying attention. But he wasn’t done with his answer. He went on “ and if He sees His shadow, we have six more weeks of winter.”

For most of us, Easter is all about kids. I can’t tell you how many times I stood on our soccer field, or on some field somewhere watching our kids search for eggs. On Easter morning there were eggs hidden at home and on Easter afternoon, we would go to my mother-in-law’s house and she would have eggs hidden in the yard. Easter eggs and my friend here, are as much a part of Easter as Santa Claus and colored lights are a part of Christmas.

So, how did we go from this (the crucifix) to this (the rabbit)? The tradition of the Easter bunny goes all the way back to the second century. Christian missionaries were trying to convert northern Europe. To prevent their converts from being persecuted for their new beliefs, the missionaries tried to associate Christian holidays with pagan festivals that happened at about the same time of the year.

The pagans had a feast celebrating the coming of spring called “E-A-S-T-R-E” or Easter. The symbol of this feast was the rabbit, because the rabbit was pagan symbol of fertility and spring was associated with new life. Of course, Easter is also associated with new life, eternal life. Over the years, two feasts became one and the rabbit became associated with the feast of the resurrection. The bunny is a timid, vulnerable creature, like the lamb, so the connection was natural.

So, what about the egg? How did we get the idea of bunnies laying colored eggs? And, what does that have to do with the resurrection of our Lord? In the 600’s, Pope Gregory the Great forbade the eating of eggs during Lent. That made them a special treat once Lent was over, so eggs became part of the Easter tradition. Of course, eggs are also connected with fertility. The baby chick breaking out of the tomb became a symbol of Jesus breaking out of the tomb.

The rich would give elaborate eggs decorated with gold leaf as Easter gifts. The peasants couldn’t afford gold, so they exchanged brightly colored eggs.

Bunnies laying eggs is apparently a German tradition going back to the 1500’s. German children believed that if they were good, a magic bunny would bring them colored eggs. The Germans brought the tradition to the United States in the 1700’s.

[pause]

We’re gathered here this morning to celebrate the major event of our Christian faith; the day Christ rose from the tomb and ascended into heaven. Lent is over. In spite of the weather today, winter is officially over, spring has come. Flowers are starting to bloom. There is new life on the earth just as there was new life risen from the tomb.

Today marks the day of Christ’s victory over death. Our God is a just God. That means that sins must be paid for. The wages of sin is death. Since Jesus, being the Son of God, was incapable of sin. His death was payment for our sins. Because our sins are paid for, we have the opportunity to spend eternity in the presence of God.

Christ’s resurrection gives us hope. Sometimes life can be hard. Sometimes it seems unfair. You know what? Jesus never said life would be easy or fair. On the contrary, He said we must take up our cross and follow Him. Why should our cross be light when the Son of God’s cross was so heavy?

Jesus suffered a terrible death. It was excrutiatingly painful physically and emotionally. One of His friends betrayed Him and the others ran away. Where do we get off thinking that we won’t experience trials in our own lives? Do we think we deserve a better fate?

When a tragedy happens in our life Christ’s resurrection is what makes it bearable. When a loved one gets critically ill, or dies, we trust that there is a better world ahead. When we near the end of our own lives, we believe that something better’s waiting for us. When we witness wars or natural disasters where many people die, we know that for believers, this isn’t all there is.

No, Jesus never said we would have it easy. What He said was that if we follow Him, He’s prepared a place for us in heaven. And, today is the day that proves it. Christ’s resurrection proves that we can have eternal life. God has prepared a place for each and every one of us. That’s why He sent us His Son.

So, today as we enjoy the food, as we enjoy the gifts, as we enjoy the chocolate bunnies, and the malted milk eggs, and the Peeps and the peanut butter cups, let’s be sure we take time to remember the story of my friend here. The bunnies and the eggs

were devices used to teach Christianity to the pagans. We’re not pagans. Most of us aren’t six years old like little Johnny.

We know what the day’s really all about. It’s the day when God gave us a Savior who would take our punishment for us, even though He was completely without sin. All He asks in return is that we love Him and that we loved one another as He loved us.

For those of you who are visiting our church today, we thank you for choosing to spend part of this special day with us. If you’re part of our family, but maybe you’ve been away for a while, welcome home. May God bless you and may you have a joyous Easter.