Articles
The Easter Tragedy
Next to Christmas, Easter Sunday is the most revered day on the calendar of what is called “Christendom.” With all of its symbolism, a mixture of mysticism and paganism, Easter dominates the spring as Christmas dominates the winter. Yet, the trappings and traditions of Easter are a tragedy.
No, they are not a tragedy because the Son of God died a horrible death on a Roman cross. Less still are they a tragedy because many in the world ignore them. How, then, are the Easter traditions a tragedy?
First, they are a tragedy because they are not of God, not from God. From Ash Wednesday to Easter Sunday, there is not a word of their celebration in the Bible. Yes, very real events took place. The Lord did enter Jerusalem; branches of trees were strewn in his honor; he did die on Friday and was raised from the dead early on the first day of the week. However, an annual commemoration of that signal series of happenings is nowhere to be found in the New Testament.
Jesus’ baptism was a significant event (Matt. 3). So was his glistering transfiguration on the mount (Lk.9). Does our failure to annually pay tribute to those items deny them their place and power in the Lord’s life? No. The church of the New Testament did not “keep” or observe them, and neither do we, and they are not thereby degraded or denied. Those occurrences, as glorious and important as they were, were not celebrated by the first Christians. Likewise, with the episodes of what is called “Easter.” As stated, the events described in the New Testament transpired. They are part of the gospel narrative, but they never were part of the worship of the church of the first century. As we do not deprecate and denigrate the baptism of Jesus by not ceremoniously observing it, so we do not defile the events of the resurrection by not celebrating it.
Second, Easter is a tragedy because millions think they are honoring the Lord Jesus when they keep it. Multitudes of folks will arise early and go to their places of worship. They will be at “Sunrise Services” all over the country thinking they are doing God service, but since such a service is not part of the doctrine of Christ, it is all in vain. “But in vain do they worship me, Teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men” (Matt. 15:9). “Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son” (2 Jn. 9).
The safety and security men feel in human traditions is one of the most deadly webs and weapons in the devil’s arsenal. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Matt. 7:22, 23).
Third, the myths associated with Easter obscure the truth of God. Easter eggs, Easter parades, and Easter bonnets, so special and significant in the minds of men, blind them to the real significance of the Lord’s death, burial, and resurrection. How can the simplicity of the Lord’s supper, partaking of the bread and the fruit of the vine upon the first day of the week, compete with the elaborate plays, pageants, and parades of Easter? Complete with prizes for all and the happiness of parents who bask in the radiance of their children’s joy, how can an unadorned Lord’s supper compare with the showy dress and childhood fun of a church’s Easter egg hunt? It cannot. Thus, the hearts of many are blind to the light of truth about the true significance of the death of Christ (1 Cor. 10:16, 17; 11:23-26). For those reasons, the trappings and traditions of Easter are a spiritual tragedy with eternal repercussions.
