THE HISTORY OF EASTER
The history of Easter is derived from the Jewish custom of Passover. Today, I am going to write on the history of Christian Easter traditions.
In the Christian religion, the Easter holiday focuses on one man - a man who was born of Virgin birth and for thirty-three years walked the earth. He devoted his entire life to preaching the Gospel and healing the sick. His name was Jesus.
The history of the Christian Easter has had a tremendous impact on Canadian culture. Many people attend church on this special holiday to celebrate the crucifixtion and resurrection of Jesus.
In order to fulfill his Heavenly Father's wishes, Jesus recruited twelve disciples. Some are well known to us, such as Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Though the other's roles were important, most people cannot name them all. Remember doubting Thomas, well this man was a disciple of Jesus. Then there was Simon, who we know as Peter. He was the one who cut off the soldier's ear when Jesus was arrested but later denied knowing his Lord. There was James, Andrew, Judas, son of James, Philip, Nathaniel, who we often refer to as Bartholomew. Last but not least, there was Judas Iscariot. He would play a big role in the crucifixion of Jesus.
These men followed Jesus and listened to his teachings. He talked with them and taught them of God, His Heavenly Father. They were his friends and the men whom he confided in.
Not much is known about the man, Jesus, from the time he was twelve until the time he was thirty-three. Some say he traveled to North America. Some say this is ridiculous. However, legends of America's Native Peoples tell of a white men in a flowing robe with long hair and a beard who came to them to tell them of the Great White Spirit. Biblical scholars have never been able to determine where Jesus was or what He did in this span of years.
Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem during the Jewish Passover in 30 AD. The people laid palm branches in his path. They were beginning to recognize Him as the Christ - the Son of God. Today, we celebrate the Sunday before Easter as Palm Sunday because of the lying of these palm branches.
Over the years Jesus had made many enemies. He did not follow the rules of the Jewish Scribes and Pharisees. At the age of twelve He told his earthly mother and father that he was going about His Father's business. And so He did.
Latest Articles