Why We Celebrate Easter

Why we Celebrate Easter

By David Azbell

The two most important holidays that are celebrated each year are Christmas and Easter. They both are celebrated due to one Man and his effect on all mankind. This man is Jesus Christ who was born an earthly birth and as such had an earthly death. Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus and Easter celebrates his Resurrection. Today we will study how the Resurrection effects all mankind and why it is an important day for Christians all over the world.

Of Course in order to have a Resurrection there had to be a death first. Lets look at the death of this man called Jesus. A man who was born by means of a natural earthly birth. A birth to a woman who was engaged to a carpenter. A woman who was not royalty nor was she in-mortal. A normal woman who was not free from sin nor was she married at the time of conception. A conception that was not of a sinful manner, rather an immaculate conception.First lets look at what the Bible says about the conception. Luke writes in the first chapter verses 26-35:

Luk 1:26-35 And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, (27) To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. (28) And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (29) And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. (30) And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. (31) And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. (32) He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: (33) And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (34) Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? (35) And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

Matthew writes in chapter 1

Mat 1:18-23 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. (19) Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily. (20) But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. (21) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (22) Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, (23) Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Thus fulfilling the old testament prophecy written in Isaiah:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.

So Christians Celebrate the Birth of their saviour on Christmas day. Some dispute rather or not this is the actual day of the birth. However the celebration of his birth has the same impact on man no matter what the actual date of his birth is. The fact that he was born into this world in order to fulfill prophecy and that he will be put to death to save all mankind is the relevancy. Easter Sunday we celebrate the Resurrection of Christ and the defeat of death. The Friday before Easter Sunday called good Friday is the day of his death. His death is as important to us as a Christian as his Resurrection. See with out his shed blood, we would still owe the debt of our sins. So lets discuss the death, which was his blood shed for us. In Isaiah we are told: