It’s Not About the Bunny

Today is Easter (or “Resurrection Sunday” as some Christians prefer calling it). According to the New Oxford American Dictionary, Easter is “the most important and oldest festival of the Christian Church, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ and held between March 21 and April 25, on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern spring equinox.”

Some Christians avoid using the term Easter because it’s believed to have originated from the name of a goddess associated with spring. However, Easter is mentioned in the King James Bible. Acts 12:4 (KJV) says, “And when he [Herod] had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” Other translations use “Passover” instead of Easter.

Just like with Christmas, Easter has pagan practices associated with it. Probably the most famous of which is children receiving candy from a character known as the Easter Bunny. This tradition originated among German Lutherans. It was brought to America in the 18th century by immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area.

My parents taught my sister and me to believe in the Easter Bunny when we were little. One night before Easter, Tanya placed a carrot on the living room table to see if it would be eaten. The next morning, she noticed the carrot had teeth marks in it. Tanya believed this proved the Easter Bunny was real. While my parents may have done that for fun, propagating this mythical character takes away from the true meaning of the holiday.

Believing in a bunny won’t remit anybody’s sins. Easter is about honoring the risen Savior.

“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.” - Romans 6:4

Pity the Fool

Mr. T

This year Easter and April Fools Day land on the same day. While most Christians today will focus on observing the Resurrection, some of them may also participate in various pranks. According to Wikipedia, “April Fools' Day (sometimes called All Fools' Day) is an annual celebration in some European and Western countries commemorated on April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes…People playing April Fool jokes often expose their prank by shouting ‘April fool’ at the unfortunate victim(s).”

Is it ever appropriate for believers to joke around like that? Perhaps it’s okay with people you know who have a sense of humor. Occasionally, I see pastors make wisecracks from the pulpit but then quickly clarify to their congregations they are teasing. Sometimes when holding the door open for a friend about to walk inside a church, I’ll say, “We’re all full” and after pausing a second add “…of the Holy Ghost.”

A few days ago, I went to a church where coffee was served in the cafeteria. When I asked for a cup, a woman behind the counter said they ran out. I knew she wasn’t telling the truth because there was a full pot of coffee behind her. A couple of seconds later, this woman admitted she was kidding.

On the other hand, Ephesians 5:4 admonishes us not to be involved in “…foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.” The Amplified Bible renders this as “sinful (silly and corrupt) talk.” It also says in Proverbs 26:18-19, “Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death, is the man who deceives his neighbor, and says, ‘I was only joking!’”

As someone who got teased a lot during my childhood, I purposely avoid saying and doing things that may be humorous to me but hurt others. A fellow missionary and I like to exchange blonde jokes with each other. Once I shared some of those jokes with a blonde-haired woman at church. She didn’t find them funny at all. I haven’t told her any blonde jokes since.

One thing people shouldn’t joke around with is where they will spend eternity. As actor Mr. T (who is a Christian) might say, “I pity the fool that doesn’t know Jesus.”

“But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’” - Luke 12:20

Was Jesus Born Again in Hell?

As Christians, we should stand for biblical truth. Unfortunately, some defenders of the faith are too quick to judge certain ministers as heretics. A few months ago, a Facebook friend blasted a well-known preacher for proclaiming at a local church, “Jesus was born again in hell.” I was at that same service. The “born again in hell” comment generated question marks in my mind. Other than that, I didn’t hear this preacher say anything that would be considered heresy. 

While walking into the bathroom at this church, I pondered the “born again” comment. Suddenly, Romans 8:29 came to my remembrance: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Jesus is also referred to as “the firstborn” in Colossians chapter 1 verses 15 and 18.

Those of you familiar with the Apostles’ Creed will recall the phrase of Jesus descending into hell. Scriptures supporting that concept include…

“For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” - Matthew 12:40

“…he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.” - Ephesians 4:9

“I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades [“hell” in the KJV] and of Death.” - Revelation 1:18

The Greek word Hades and the Hebrew word Sheol are often used interchangeably with hell. One dictionary defines Hades as “the underworld; the abode of the spirits of the dead.” Prior to the Resurrection, Hades had two separate compartments. One was for the wicked such as the rich man in Luke 16. The other (sometimes referred to as “Abraham’s Bosom”) was inhabited by Old Covenant saints such as Lazarus. 1 Peter 3:18-19 says, “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison.”

I would disagree with some ministers claiming that Jesus suffered in hell. Before they both died, Jesus told the thief on the cross, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43) He went on to say,  “It is finished!” (John 19:30) It was on the cross Jesus received the punishment for sin that we all deserve. It also says in Psalm 16:10, “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.”

Perhaps religious watchdogs think the doctrine of Jesus “born again in hell” minimizes His deity. Personally, I don’t believe this is worth bickering over. Sinners don’t really care about the terminology used to describe what happened to the Lord during the three days following His crucifixion. They need to hear the Good News about the Risen Christ so they don’t have to suffer for eternity themselves.

“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” - 2 Corinthians 5:21

Resurrection Power

An objection some people bring up regarding the gospel is comparing Jesus to other religious figures such as Buddha and Mohammed. My usual response is quoting what Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” 

I also like to point out what happens when Christians obey the Great Commission. Jesus said in Mark 16:17-18, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” I’ve yet to see someone healed in the name of Allah or Buddah.

Another commandment Jesus gave His disciples was to “raise the dead.” (Matthew 10:8) While I personally haven’t seen a dead body come back to life, I know of other ministers God used to restore life to individuals who briefly died. Romans 4:17 says that God “…gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.”

The resurrection of Jesus Himself is a key tenet of the Christian faith. Look at 1 Corinthians 15…

16 For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. 

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

18 Then also those who have fallen asleep [died] in Christ have perished. 

19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.

During Bible times, there was a religious sect called the Sadducees who denied the resurrection of the dead and the supernatural. As I’ve heard other ministers proclaim, that’s why the Sadducees were “sad…you see.”  

When Martha was grieving over the death of her brother Lazarus, Jesus told her in John 11:25-26, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Lazarus was soon raised from the dead.

In the next chapter, Jesus said in John 12:24, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain.” Maybe the Lord gave you promises that haven’t been fulfilled yet and has even allowed some of them to “die.” But in His timing, God can bring those dead dreams back to life.

Romans 8:11 says, “…the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.” Resurrection power is available for every area of your life. So if you know the Lord, then you can proclaim the words of an old Snap song, “I’ve got the power!”

“For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” - John 5:21

Pass Me the Peeps

Some Christians prefer to call Easter “Resurrection Sunday.” One reason is the word Easter supposedly derived from the name of a goddess associated with spring. Because of this, a few Christians consider Easter a pagan holiday and distance themselves from it.

Nevertheless, modern dictionaries define Easter as a Christian festival. It’s also worth noting the word Easter is found in the King James Bible; “And when he [Herod] had apprehended him [Peter], he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people.” (Acts 12:4)

I believe one can get too religious about certain holidays. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Easter is an excellent time to tell sinners about what the Savior did for them so they have the opportunity to receive eternal life.  

One time in Charleston, South Carolina, I took part in an Easter Party Outreach held in a neighborhood park. We reached out to the community with the love of Jesus by giving away food, Easter baskets, and most importantly the gospel. In and around a prayer tent, I got to lead seven people to the Lord plus encouraged a backslider to “slide back” to God. More people received salvation at the end when a local pastor delivered a short sermon and then conducted a group prayer.

As a kid, I received candy from “the Easter Bunny.” When I later found out the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, and the Tooth Fairy were fictional characters, I questioned God’s existence for many years. Parents shouldn’t deceive their children like that. Easter is not about some rabbit delivering candy but a risen Savior who delivered us from eternal damnation. 1 Corinthians 15:17 says, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!”  

Let’s tell the world what Easter is truly about...and if offered to me, I will still enjoy some Easter candy. Pass me the Peeps!

“So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” 

- Colossians 2:16-17