On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion and burial. It is typically the most well-attended Sunday church service of the year.
What Is Easter?
- According to Christian Scripture (Isaiah 53), Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah and Savior of the World.
- The resurrection refers to Jesus coming back to life (or being raised from the dead) three days after his death on the cross.
- Christians believe that when Jesus laid down his life on the cross, he paid the full penalty for sin by offering the perfect, spotless sacrifice.
- Subsequently, by raising from the dead, the Lord defeated the power of sin and death and purchased, for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Easter in the Bible
The biblical account of Jesus’ death on the cross, or crucifixion, his burial, and his resurrection, or raising from the dead, can be found in the following passages of Scripture: Matthew 27:27-28:8; Mark 15:16-16:19; Luke 23:26-24:35; and John 19:16-20:30.
The word “Easter” does not appear in the Bible and no early church celebrations of Christ’s resurrection are mentioned in Scripture. Easter, like Christmas, is a tradition that developed later in church history.
As the most solemn and preeminent celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, it’s unfortunate that many of Easter’s customs are mixed with pagan associations and secular commercialization. For these reasons, many Christian churches choose to refer to the Easter holiday simply as Resurrection Day.
When Is the Easter Season?
Lent is a 40-day period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in preparation for Easter. In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the start of Lent and the Easter season. Easter Sunday marks the end of Lent and the Easter season.
Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday and Ash Wednesday is not observed.
Holy Week
The week preceding Easter is called Holy Week. Holy Week begins with Palm Sunday, the celebration of Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. On Maundy Thursday is the commemoration of the Last Supper when Jesus shared the Passover meal with his disciples on the night before he was crucified. Jesus’ death by crucifixion is commemorated on Good Friday.
