The Meaning Of Easter

Had you chosen to visit the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem today to celebrate Easter, you would no doubt want to visit the central shrine that is all probability the place of Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection. And while no one is absolutely certain that this is indeed the location of the first Easter, archeology and history lend substantial support to the site's authenticity. From the outside, the site fails to impress as the old alleyways of the old city hide the site from street level view

If you are new to Israel, you might think to see that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher sits alone in majestic isolation, but instead, the shrine sits alongside anonymous buildings sandwiched next to them as barnacles would on a ship. If you came to the site of the first Easter looking for a light, you would be disappointed by its dark and cramped quarters. If you came seeking peace, you would be saddened by an abundance of noise. And if you came seeking love, then you will be deeply distressed to encounter petty jealousies surrounds the quarters.

Six groups of occupants lord over the site, including Latin Catholics, Greek Orthodox, Armenian Orthodox, Syrians, Copts, and Ethiopians, as each watch over their respective areas for any infringement of rights. One of the reasons why the site is considered authentic and the various groups of Christians fight over it is because it was on this site that the early Christians celebrated Easter in acts of worship until AD 66.

The history of the site shows the importance of Easter throughout the centuries. Shortly after the early Christians were prevented from worshiping there, the Roman Emperor Hadrian, in an effort to eradicate Christianity, soon destroyed the area and erected a shrine honoring the goddess Aphrodite in AD 135. The Roman Emperor Constantine destroyed the pagan temple two hundred years later and placed a chapel to commemorate the site of the first Easter. Muslims wrecked the site seven hundred years later (1009), where the rock tomb of Christ was destroyed with picks and hammers.

Restoration began shortly thereafter during the approximate time of the Crusades. The site itself had been partially destroyed by fire in 1808 and an earthquake in 1927. If you were to visit today, you best not wear shorts or sleeveless shirts, as you'll be asked to leave. And to see what possibly remains of Golgotha, you must ascend a set of stairs. Once you are there, you'll see a rock, about twenty-three feet long by ten feet wide by sixteen feet high, that is traditionally believed to be all that now remains visible of Golgotha. Thousands of believers gathered yesterday at the Church of Holy Sepulcher in anticipation of Easter today. Yet, you don't have to 7,000 miles to Jerusalem to begin to recognize the significance of the events of the first Easter. No, you do not need to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in order to experience the life of Easter. There is another way to see Jesus that is better.

I want to talk to you today about your Resurrection of the dead and Jesus' role in raising you from the dead.

1. Why is Easter Important?

There have been three historical opinions that have formed in history as to the Resurrection of the dead, and they remain to this day. Pagans expected nothing to happen after a person dies. Jews expected the faithful to be resurrected at the end of time. And Christians have felt that not only has Christ risen from the grave, but His Resurrection guarantees His followers' resurrection. Jesus' Resurrection is surprising, as it has no historical antecedents.

Our Jewish friends ask, "How can the Messiah have come when the world has not changed?" The world has continued to experience genocide, racism, violence, war, poverty, and hunger since the time of Jesus. When the Messiah comes, He was to end all of this and restore shalom, or peace, to the world? The fact that all this evil continues is proof that Jesus isn't the Messiah, according to our Jewish friends.

Jesus teaches that the Resurrection comes in two installments. His Resurrection is the first payment on the thirty-year mortgage of your home. But there is a day coming when He'll pay the note off. Jesus never files for bankruptcy between the first payment and the last.

What God begins, God always ends.

2. Jesus' Massive Ego

The saying goes that everything is bigger in Texas. Today, an estimated 20,000 people will hear the newest New York Jet, Tim Tebow, speak at Celebration Church in Georgetown, TX. Tebow's faith is as famous as were his skills were as the quarterback when he played for the Florida Gators. Tebow is speaking to the throngs of people this morning as they are spread over 60 plus acres on blankets and lawn chairs. The church is renting 110 buses in order to accommodate the masses. Indeed, everything is bigger in Texas!