The true meaning of Easter
The origin of Easter
Easter is a celebration of the death and resurrection (rising again) of Jesus Christ. Many scholars believe Jesus was crucified (died on a cross) on a Friday and rose again on the Sunday in AD33.
The date on which Christians celebrate Easter varies from year to year as it is based upon the Jewish festival of Passover, which is determined by the cycles of the moon. This is because Jesus celebrated Passover right before he died.
The earliest recorded celebration of Easter by Christians is in the 2nd Century.
The significance of Easter
God sent his one and only Son — Jesus — to Earth to live, die and rise again for our sake. This event gives Christians their hope and joy.
In the Bible, Jesus said of himself,
I am the path, the truth, and the energy of life.
Love and life
Despite hot cross buns and Easter eggs appearing on store shelves from early January, Easter is not an easily understood Christian holiday. For starters, the week is full of contrasts. There is honour and praise followed by a day of deep, dark sadness, followed by joy, hope and light.
It can be a little complicated understanding why Good Friday is ‘good’, why Easter is celebrated or how the meaning of Easter relates to our lives today.
Jesus died and rose back to life
He did this so everyone can have a meaningful relationship with God the Father – the Creator of the Universe. Sin broke that relationship, but Jesus repaired it. Because of Jesus’ victory over death by coming back to life, we too can experience a new, everlasting life in Heaven with God.
But not only does Jesus offer us a promise for the future, he also offers everyone hope and joy for today. When the world causes us stress about the cost of living and health concerns, anxiety over safety, heartache, dissatisfaction, fear and many other crises or negative feelings, Jesus offers us something greater and deeper. He offers us a promise of peace.
Jesus says, “I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, TLB).
It means that whatever life involves, we can have hope and peace. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection mean you are deeply loved, and you are not alone in your struggles. Jesus’ promise of peace is steady and everlasting. It’s up to us to choose to accept it.
Easter traditions
Many of the Easter traditions we enjoy today stem from the biblical Easter story.
Hot cross buns, traditionally eaten on Good Friday, carry the symbolism of the cross on which Jesus died. The spices inside the bun represent the spices used on his dead body when he was placed in his tomb.
The significance of Easter eggs also comes from the events of Easter Sunday. The enjoyment of the hollow chocolate Easter egg is a reminder of the empty tomb after Jesus rose back to life and the solid egg is shaped like the tomb stone that rolled away. Chocolate bunnies represent new life, which is because new, everlasting life is offered to everyone who believes that Jesus died and rose again.
Whatever Easter customs and traditions you enjoy this year, we hope they remind you of the real meaning of Easter — which is Jesus’ love for you.
What is Holy Week?
It is the most sacred time in the Christian calendar, marking Jesus’ final days on Earth and his ultimate sacrifice for humanity. It is a time of deep spiritual reflection, reminding believers of his journey of love, suffering and redemption.