Firstly, I understand that not all Christians observe the Easter celebration due to the allusion of paganic backgrounds to it. But do you observe Easter?
Before Easter 2023, I made a publication about the occasion, the historical background, and its significance today, and I observed that some Christians thought of it as a sin that one should avoid.
However, the common knowledge among people who observe Easter is that it is to remember the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that confession and what they do on that day should suffice.
In this message, we will look at Easter 2023, discussing some interesting facts about it, and Easter 2024 with a look at when and what you should know about Easter today.
Meanwhile, have you seen the addition to our series of Bible Verses: 10 Bible Verses About Children Being A Blessing? You should give it a read!
When Was Easter 2023?
Easter 2023 fell on the 9th of April, 2023, particularly on a Sunday. It included church services, festive meals, Easter eggs, and the great joy of good tidings.
Before the celebration, many Christians observe Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the crucifixion. Then, what is called Bright Monday or Easter Monday is observed afterward.
On the other hand, many people observe what is called Lent. It is a period to Easter, usually 40 days of fasting and prayers, and a rendition of support to imitate Christ as he fasted forty days. The Lenten season, observed by most Christian denominations aside from the Baptists, begins on Ash Wednesday and ends a few days before Easter.
As of last year, Lent began on the 22nd of February and ended on the 8th of April, just a day before Easter 2023. But this year, it started on the 18th of February and will end on the 28th of March, exactly three days before Easter 2024.
When Is Easter 2024?
To the long-awaited question, When is Easter 2024? I already gave you an insight into it, but to be clear, it will take place on a Sunday, 31st of March. That is much earlier than last year. But why?
It is common knowledge that the dates for Easter differ every year, but some people may not know how the dates are determined. It is said to be through the Paschal moon.
Easter 2024 is much earlier than 2023 because of the full moon in March that occurs on or after the Spring Equinox (the date where day and night have equal length and occurs usually between the 19th and 21st of March). The following Sunday is known as Easter.
Usually, the date for Easter is 46 days from Ash Wednesday, and in the year 2024, AW was observed much earlier on the 14th of February.
What You Should Know About Easter Today
Easter is a Christian cultural holiday observed to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Some events leading to Easter include Lent, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. Each of them has a biblical background implied to them.
Lent is observed relatively with Jesus’ fasting for 40 days before His public ministry. Palm Sunday is observed with the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.
The Holy Week is the week from when Jesus entered Jerusalem, while Maundy Thursday is the Thursday leading to the day of the crucifixion of Christ. And Good Friday is the day of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Now, Easter is the third day after the crucifixion of Christ: the day he was raised from the dead. It is called Resurrection Sunday.
While there are paganic allusions to this celebration, I would address concerns about whether or not it is necessary to observe Easter in the first place. The reason is because I have shown the generally acceptable reason why most Christians observe the day and the events leading to it. Rather than paganic, they have biblical backgrounds to them.
In 1 Corinthians 10 verse 23, Paul spoke about his liberty, especially with food eaten. He went further to say:
“Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Give no occasions for stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the assembly of God;
even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of the many, that they may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 10:31–33 WEB.
The background of the message had some contention with Paganic activities that people were into, and Paul cautioned those in Corinth against such. Then, he pointed out that all we do should be to the glory of God.
As I said before, when people talk about Easter today, there is often that contention about pagans, but the question that stands out is this: is it observed to the glory of God? Yes, to the extent that it is to recognize the resurrection of Christ Jesus.
However, is it necessary to celebrate Easter today? Celebrating Easter is not a necessity today, nor was it yesterday. The point is Christ died, was buried, and rose on the third day from the dead, according to the scriptures. The scriptures command the preaching of His resurrection and encourage people to believe in Him for eternal salvation, but do not command anyone to keep a day to commemorate His resurrection.
Is it wrong to observe Easter? Some people hold to that idea, but I beg to differ. If Easter (of course it does) preaches the resurrection of Christ, then it is more beneficial to Christians and others than many messages propagated on the pulpits today.
For those who recognize Easter as a memorable day, you should use it for the glory of God. For those who think otherwise (for whatever reasons), you should see the opportunity the period offers you to preach the Gospel of Christ to the world and lead more people to the knowledge of Christ.
Let me leave you with some words from Brother Paul’s letter according to Romans 14:5–9 WEB:
“One man esteems one day as more important. Another esteems every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind.
He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks. He who doesn’t eat, to the Lord he doesn’t eat, and gives God thanks.
For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord. Or if we die, we die to the Lord. If therefore we live or die, we are the Lord’s.
For to this end Christ died, rose, and lived again, that he might be Lord of both the dead and the living.”
Shalom aleichem.
