1. Why Not Celebrate Easter? John 20:1-18

2. Introduction Extra seats needed in churches –Even the irreligious attend –Some are glad it is this way

3. Curious Things The date varies although the date of Jesus’ resurrection is fairly certain The date of Christ’s birth is unknown but men fix a day to celebrate it

4. Easter Tradition Begins with Lent –Anglo-Saxon (lecten) meaning “Spring” –40 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter –Signifies Christ’s fast in the wilderness –Involves fasting, prayer, self-denial, and church attendance –Enforced by Catholic church after 800 AD

5. Easter Tradition Ash Wednesday –Earliest reference in 8 th century –Ashes from Palm Sunday (year before) are mixed with holy water –Priest puts his thumb in this and makes the sign of the cross on the forehead –Says, “Remember, man, thou art but dust, and unto dust thou shalt return”

6. Easter Tradition Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter) –Beginning of the “Holy Week” –Commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem (John 12:12-15) –Solemn march carrying palm branches, chanting, and singing hymns –Began in the 4 th century

7. Easter Tradition Easter Sunday –End of Lent, day of Christ’s resurrection –Council of Nicea (325) decided it would be 1 st Sunday after first full moon after the vernal equinox (March 21) –Could be as early as March 22 or as late as April 25

8. Easter Tradition Easter Sunday (continued) –Chaldeans, Egyptians, and Teutons celebrated a Spring festival in honor of the goddess of Spring and light –Admitted by most that there is no trace of this in the Bible –Appearance in Acts 12:4 is a mistranslation of pascha (Passover)

9. Easter Eggs Legend –Mary Magdalene brought boiled eggs to the tomb as food for the women and they turned red when she saw the risen Lord –Associated with fertility, the beginning of new life

10. Easter Eggs Another legend –After Christ’s ascension, Mary Magdalene went to the emperor in Rome and greeted him by saying, “Christ has risen” –He pointed to an egg and said, “Christ has no more risen than that egg is red” –Immediately the egg turned red, the color of blood

11. Easter Tradition Conclusions –Origin is a combination of Paganism and Catholic Church tradition –No church in the New Testament ever celebrated this or any other “holy day” –No authority for its existence and observance

12. Why Not Observe Easter? Not opposed to some related things –Resurrection (John 20:1-18) –Remembering His resurrection (1 Corinthians 11:23-34) –Preaching about the resurrection (Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4)

13. Why Not Observe Easter? Valid reasons –Not authorized as worship (Matthew 7:21-27; 2 John 9-11) –Tradition of men (Matthew 15:9) –Celebrate His resurrection each Lord’s day (Matthew 26:26-29; Acts 2:42; 20:7)

14. Conclusion No authority for its observance Remember His death every first day