The Bible contains no command, nor authorization, for an annual celebration called Easter, in relation to Jesus’ resurrection. Furthermore, it is interesting that many place importance on Jesus’ resurrection only once per year; for, the Bible instructs us to: (1) Celebrate (publicly acknowledge) Jesus’ resurrection EVERY Sunday, (2) Celebrate Jesus’ resurrection EVERY day.
Why should we acknowledge Jesus’ resurrection EVERY Sunday? The first day of the week, Sunday, is the day that Jesus rose from the grave. We do not know the specific Sunday that he arose. Rather, we are to meet with His church every Sunday for worship and recognition of what He has done for us. According to Revelation 1:10, the Apostle John referred to the "Lord’s day," in reference to the Lord’s resurrection day—Sunday. Furthermore, some have translated the “Lord’s supper” of 1 Corinthians 11:20 as the “Lord’s Day Supper,” meaning the “supper” we are commanded to take part in each Sunday (cf. Acts 20:7). This “supper” consists of unleavened bread and fruit of the vine, which are consumed in memory of Jesus’ death. Therefore, Christians are instructed to meet EVERY Sunday, thereby acknowledging Jesus’ resurrection, and eat the Lord’s Supper, thereby remembering Jesus’ death.
Why should we celebrate Jesus’ resurrection EVERY day? A person becomes a Christian when he/she, in repentant faith, puts on Christ in baptism. “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection” (Romans 6:3–5). How does a Christian celebrate daily Jesus’ resurrection? By walking in newness of life. This does not mean Christians are sinless, but we should try our best to be sinless, and when we do sin, we repent, confess, pray, and receive forgiveness from God (cf. 1 John 1:7–9; 2:1–2). By walking in newness of life, we shine our lights before men, so that they might see our good works, and become Christians also, thereby glorifying our Heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16). Therefore, Christians are instructed to acknowledge Jesus’ resurrection EVERY day.
“Easter” should be important to Christians because it is another Sunday and another day that we get to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Are you celebrating His resurrection EVERY Sunday and EVERY day?
Clifton preaches for the Coldwater Church of Christ in Coldwater, MS
