"It is such a privilege to know Christ. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on His sacrifice, and celebrate His victory." Kathy Spampinato

Welcome to Holy Week, the traditional practice of reflecting on the life and death of Jesus, as we approach Resurrection Sunday, or Easter. The word resurrection means a rising from the dead and has always been associated with the rising of Christ after His crucifixion, death, and burial. It comes from Latin, the language of the Roman Empire. Christians have always celebrated the resurrection of Christ as the pivotal point of history and faith. It is the act that allows us the opportunity for new life now, and our own resurrection at the end of the age. Resurrection is the root of rebirth, restoration, resurgence, and revival.

It is interesting that the term Easter does not have the same godly origin or meaning. It first appeared in English before the year 900, but comes from a German goddess, Eastre, and her spring festival. That is why we have so many non-religious activities associated with Easter, that have a basis in Pagan rituals. The spring birthing season gives rise to the use of eggs and bunnies, and the emergence of the Easter Bunny. The celebration of Resurrection Sunday in the Spring, was a deliberate association of the Christian holiday with a Pagan one, to help people adopt the celebration of Christianity. The same desire to assimilate faith into an already pagan festival, determines why we celebrate Christmas in December, near the winter solstice. Early Christian leaders decided to align our celebrations with Pagan festivals that were already tradition. You can decide what you think of their idea, but our current holiday is still a mixture in its traditions.

Today, I’d like to refresh our minds with the power of Christ’s resurrection. When Jesus was going to visit the tomb and raise Lazarus from the dead, he makes a powerful statement to Martha, Lazarus’s sister.

John 11:25-27 ‘Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.” ‘

It was the Father’s will to send Jesus as the sacrifice for our sin, that we might believe, and receive redemption. We must repent of our sin, and receive His mercy and grace. Our new life is in Him!

Romans 6:3,5, 10-11 “Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:8-10 Paul states, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith-“

It is such a privilege to know Christ. Let’s take a few moments to reflect on His sacrifice, and celebrate His victory. May we learn to live in His grace and walk in newness of life, because of His victory on the cross. He is alive, and we are made alive in Him! We have been redeemed.

Hebrews 7:25 “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.”

1 Corinthians 15:57 “But thanks be to God, who give us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Let’s determine to live in this new life of faith with joy. May you celebrate your victory in Christ this Easter. Hallelujah! He is risen!