The True Meaning of Easter http:// walkthewok.wordpress.com All images are copyright their respective owners.

What is Easter? American Heritage Dictionary A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus

American Heritage Dictionary

A Christian feast commemorating the Resurrection of Jesus

Jesus’ Resurrection? Great! Let’s celebrate!

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Ahem… Bunnies? Eggs? Jesus’ Resurrection?

Bunnies?

Eggs?

Jesus’ Resurrection?

WHERE IS THE RELATION?!?!

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http://flickr.com/photos/awayken/133795725/ http://flickr.com/photos/roome/129423662/ NO

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http://flickr.com/photos/rcooper/287678713/ NO

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JESUS???

NO

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PLOP!

PLOP! NO

BUNNIES AND EGGS??? What do they have to do with Easter?

Origins of Easter Comes from Ishtar, the “Mother goddess” or “Queen of heaven” in Babylon Other names Jewish: Ashtaroth, Ashtoreth Greek: Astarte Saxons: Eastre, Eostre, Ostara And many more http://flickr.com/photos/44124324682@N01/320549220/

Comes from Ishtar, the “Mother goddess” or “Queen of heaven” in Babylon

Other names

Jewish: Ashtaroth, Ashtoreth

Greek: Astarte

Saxons: Eastre, Eostre, Ostara

And many more

Bunnies? Ancient symbol of fertility Producing babies Wild: 40 per year Ideal: 120 per year http://flickr.com/photos/mzwp/131148122/ /

Ancient symbol of fertility

Producing babies

Wild: 40 per year

Ideal: 120 per year

Eggs? Represents new life Mystic egg of Astarte Gigantic egg fell from heaven Out popped goddess Corrupted version of Noah’s ark? http://home.computer.net/~cya/cy00096.html

Represents new life

Mystic egg of Astarte

Gigantic egg fell from heaven

Out popped goddess

Corrupted version of Noah’s ark?

How did Pagan connect to Christian? Roman Catholic Church Pasted “Christian” names over pagan festivals Tried to attract heathen worshippers

Roman Catholic Church

Pasted “Christian” names over pagan festivals

Tried to attract heathen worshippers

Should we celebrate? Nothing evil about painting and hunting eggs What’s important is…

Nothing evil about painting and hunting eggs

What’s important is…

BIG QUESTION

Where’s your _____?

Where’s your bunny?

Where’s your bunny? NO

Where’s your egg?

Where’s your egg? NO

Where’s your focus ?

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World’s Largest Easter Egg In Vegreville, Canada Egg Width: 25.7 feet Egg Height: 18.3 feet Weight: 5,000 pounds Not laid by bird Not brought by a bunny

In Vegreville, Canada

Egg Width: 25.7 feet

Egg Height: 18.3 feet

Weight: 5,000 pounds

Not laid by bird

Not brought by a bunny

Where’s your focus ? Focus more on Jesus Christ Egg hunts are just games for fun

Focus more on Jesus Christ

Egg hunts are just games for fun

Where you should focus 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures

The Four Spiritual Laws Why Jesus had to die for You and Me http:// www.greatcom.org/english/four.htm

1) God loves you and has plans for you Love John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Plans Jesus said in John 10:10- “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

Love

John 3:16- For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Plans

Jesus said in John 10:10- “I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”

2) Humans are sinful and separated from God Sinful Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God Separated Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Sinful

Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

Separated

Romans 6:23- For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3) Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin Only John 14:6- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

Only

John 14:6- Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”

4) We must receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior We Must Receive Christ "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" ( John 1:12 ) We Receive Christ Through Faith "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" ( Ephesians 2:8,9 ). We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation [Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" ( Revelation 3:20 ).

We Must Receive Christ "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name" ( John 1:12 )

We Receive Christ Through Faith "By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast" ( Ephesians 2:8,9 ).

We Receive Christ by Personal Invitation [Christ speaking] "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him" ( Revelation 3:20 ).

He is risen! His body is no longer here!

Resurrection is Crucial to Christianity 1 Corinthians 15:17-18 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

1 Corinthians 15:17-18

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

Resurrection Rumors THEY ARE ALL FALSE

Rumor 1) Disciples stole the body Matthew 27:62-64 62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate 63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ 64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Matthew 27:62-64

62 On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate

63 saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’

64 Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.”

Rumor 1) Disciples stole the body http://flickr.com/photos/ziarci/181769757/ http://flickr.com/photos/bickley/131375480/

Rumor 1) Disciples stole the body The Roman soldiers were the greatest warriors on the planet Professionals at killing people Brave The disciples were fishermen Professionals at catching fish Cowards- Fled for their lives when Jesus was arrested Sealed stone Disciples snuck underground, attacked Roman soldiers from behind, broke seal, rolled away gigantic stone, and then took Jesus’ body? NO WAY!

The Roman soldiers were the greatest warriors on the planet

Professionals at killing people

Brave

The disciples were fishermen

Professionals at catching fish

Cowards- Fled for their lives when Jesus was arrested

Sealed stone

Disciples snuck underground, attacked Roman soldiers from behind, broke seal, rolled away gigantic stone, and then took Jesus’ body? NO WAY!

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb http://flickr.com/photos/mustardseeds/66335304/

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb http://flickr.com/photos/alttext/300620358/

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb http://flickr.com/photos/jungle_boy/220797443/

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb Matthew 27:57-61 57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him. 59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed. 61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Matthew 27:57-61

57 Now when evening had come, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus.

58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given to him.

59 When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,

60 and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed.

61 And Mary Magdalene was there, and the other Mary, sitting opposite the tomb.

Rumor 2) Wrong tomb Looked for Jesus in the wrong tomb??? Joseph of Arimathea was member of Sanhedrin Group who ruled Jewish community He had to worship Christ at night so others in group couldn’t see him Sanhedrin knew who he was where his tomb was Witnesses Mary Magdalene and other women saw Jesus’ burial

Looked for Jesus in the wrong tomb???

Joseph of Arimathea was member of Sanhedrin

Group who ruled Jewish community

He had to worship Christ at night so others in group couldn’t see him

Sanhedrin knew

who he was

where his tomb was

Witnesses

Mary Magdalene and other women saw Jesus’ burial

Rumor 3) Jesus did not really die Beaten till face unrecognizable Whipped 39 times Cat of 9 Tails- whips with broken bones and glass shards Ripped off flesh on back, reality is MUCH worse than shown in “Passion of Christ”! Crucified Nails in hands and feet Did NOT bleed to death Died by suffocation (some say by traumatic shock) Spear stuck into side after dead- John 19:33-35 33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. 34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

Beaten till face unrecognizable

Whipped 39 times

Cat of 9 Tails- whips with broken bones and glass shards

Ripped off flesh on back, reality is MUCH worse than shown in “Passion of Christ”!

Crucified

Nails in hands and feet

Did NOT bleed to death

Died by suffocation (some say by traumatic shock)

Spear stuck into side after dead- John 19:33-35

33 But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs.

34 But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out.

35 And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe.

Rumor 3) Jesus did not really die John 19 39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds. 40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

John 19

39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.

40 Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury.

Rumor 4) Disciples hallucinated People who strongly love lost ones may hallucinate But cannot touch

People who strongly love lost ones may hallucinate

But cannot touch

Rumor 4) Disciples hallucinated John 20:25-28 25 The other disciples therefore said to [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” 26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” 27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” 28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

John 20:25-28

25 The other disciples therefore said to [Thomas], “We have seen the Lord.” So he said to them, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.”

26 And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!”

27 Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.”

28 And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

Would you… Die for something you only thought was true? Lose your job for something you only thought was true? Give up your family for something you only thought was true? To do those things, you should be 100% certain

Die for something you only thought was true?

Lose your job for something you only thought was true?

Give up your family for something you only thought was true?

To do those things, you should be 100% certain

The disciples believed so strongly in Jesus’ resurrection that they were… 1. Andrew - crucified 2. Bartholomew - flayed to death by whip 3. James, brother of Jesus - thrown over a hundred feet, and then brains dashed out with clubs 4. James, son of Zebedee - beheaded 5. John - put in boiling oil, lived and later died of old age 6. Judas (not Iscariot) - stoned to death 7. Matthew - killed by a sword 8. Peter - crucified upside-down, not worthy to die like Lord 9. Philip - scourged/ flogged and crucified 10. Simon - crucified 11. Thomas - speared to death 12. Matthias - stoned and beheaded 13. Paul- tortured and beheaded

1. Andrew - crucified 2. Bartholomew - flayed to death by whip 3. James, brother of Jesus - thrown over a hundred feet, and then brains dashed out with clubs 4. James, son of Zebedee - beheaded 5. John - put in boiling oil, lived and later died of old age 6. Judas (not Iscariot) - stoned to death 7. Matthew - killed by a sword 8. Peter - crucified upside-down, not worthy to die like Lord 9. Philip - scourged/ flogged and crucified 10. Simon - crucified 11. Thomas - speared to death 12. Matthias - stoned and beheaded 13. Paul- tortured and beheaded

Who is Jesus? Claimed to be God the Son John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:33, “We are not stoning you for any of these, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God ” John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

Claimed to be God the Son

John 10:30, “I and the Father are one.”

John 10:33, “We are not stoning you for any of these, replied the Jews, but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God ”

John 1:1, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”

The Trilemma Say the following out loud: Who is Jesus to ME ?

What is Trilemma? Wikipedia Similar to a dilemma… Problem offering two solutions, neither of which is acceptable … with three options that a choice must be made between If the three options they cover all the possibilities and you can't pick more than one, then the trilemma can be resolved by eliminating two of them.

Wikipedia

Similar to a dilemma…

Problem offering two solutions, neither of which is acceptable

… with three options that a choice must be made between

If the three options they cover all the possibilities and you can't pick more than one, then the trilemma can be resolved by eliminating two of them.

Say it out loud: Who is Jesus to ME ? 3 Choices! 1) Liar 2) Lunatic 3) Lord Bad Mad God

1) Liar

2) Lunatic

3) Lord

Bad

Mad

God

1) Liar Jesus was not God, and he knew it, but he said so anyway. Just a… Moral teacher Prophet Good man If true… BAD Liar, hypocrite, and fool

Jesus was not God, and he knew it, but he said so anyway.

Just a…

Moral teacher

Prophet

Good man

If true…

BAD

Liar, hypocrite, and fool

2) Lunatic Jesus was not God, but he mistakenly believed that he was. Not light fantasy, told others eternal destiny depended on Him Skill, depth, and truth of teachings Mentally sound If true… MAD

Jesus was not God, but he mistakenly believed that he was.

Not light fantasy, told others eternal destiny depended on Him

Skill, depth, and truth of teachings

Mentally sound

If true…

MAD

3) Lord Jesus is God. He is the Christ, God the Son, as He claimed. If true… GOD

Jesus is God.

He is the Christ, God the Son, as He claimed.

If true…

GOD

Who is Jesus?

Video S M Lockridge- Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church said “THAT’S MY KING!” www.youtube.com/watch?v =yX_7j32zgNw

Who is Jesus? John 20:31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Trilemma All 3 possible Only probable choice: Jesus is Lord

John 20:31

but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Trilemma

All 3 possible

Only probable choice: Jesus is Lord

Who is Jesus? Say the following out loud: Easter answer: The Lord and Risen King My answer: ____________ (Fill in the blank with your answer)

May God richly bless you as you seek to walk closer to Him! For more resources, check out http:// walkthewok.wordpress.com All images are copyright their respective owners.