What is Easter?

1. EASTER: What is & What is not

2. Real Easter has nothing to do with bunnies, chickens or other cute animals

3. Real Easter has nothing to do with colorful eggs

4. Real Easter has nothing to do with cakes and cookies

5. Real Easter has nothing to do with any kind of trade

6. Real Easter has nothing to do with cultural exhibitions

7. Real Easter has nothing to do with processions and epitaphs

8. Real Easter has nothing to do with any material illumination

9. Real Easter has nothing to do with national traditions like the burning of Judas (in many Catholic and Orthodox countries), the death dance (Spain) or Husvet (dousing of girls in Hungary)

10. Real Easter, surely, has nothing to do with self-punishment, self-crucifixion or any other religious extremity

11. Real Easter is not for fun nor for sadness, but for rumination on the death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ

12. Real Easter has to do with the fulfillment of many ancient prophecies concerning Jesus Christ’s life and passion For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet. I may tell all my bones: they look and stare upon me. They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture (Psalm 22:16-18, approx.1000 B.C.). Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. (Isaiah53:4-5, approx. 750 B.C.)

13. Real Easter has to do with a clear manifestation of God’s love for humanity (John 3:16)For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

14. Real Easter has to do with historical facts of tremendous importance for humanity But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification (Romans 4:24-25)

15. Easter is to remind us that, because o Jesus’ death and resurrection, heaven’s gates are open for everybody who believes in Him. (John 5:24)Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 6:47)Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

16. Real Easter has to do with a message: