Here are five things every Believer should know about Easter:
1. Easter is not mentioned in the Bible. Literally the word 'Easter' is not found in Scripture. If you have a version of where e-a-s-t-e-r appear and are not followed immediately by an N, that is a bad translation. The Greek word that some Bibles use for 'Easter' is pascha, which means Passover. Easter is a different word entirely. And is a separate, man-made holiday which is not interchangeable with Passover.
2. The Messiah was not killed or resurrected on Easter. He was killed on Passover and resurrected on First Fruits. While these happen around the same time of year, they're not the same. Christmas happens near New Years Eve, but no one would say those holidays are interchangeable or the same. Easter was never intended to accurately represent the time of the Messiah's crucifixion or resurrection. It is a simple change to make to reschedule celebrations of the death and the resurrection of the Messiah to their Biblically appropriate feast times.
3. Many of its traditions are expressly prohibited by Scripture. Reading through Ezekiel 8 one time as a teenager it was eerie to realize what was being described sounded exactly like every Easter Sunday church service I had attended. A sunrise service where the sanctuary was filled with unclean animals. Those bunnies that are used to decorate churches and Easter baskets are unclean animals and do not belong on the house of YHWH. Ezekiel 8:17 says that the sunrise service is a "disgusting practice." The traditional Easter ham dinner is forbidden by Scripture, and the idea of an egg-laying bunny is anathema when Scripture says that animals shouldn't be mixed.
4. Scripture does not tell us to celebrate Easter. Nowhere in the Bible does it give us instructions to celebrate Easter. We are not told to color eggs or to teach children about a gift-bearing bunny. Nor are we told to call the Messiah's resurrection day Easter. The Messiah did not celebrate it and neither did the Disciples or anyone else in Scripture. The Bible contains over 31,000 verses, ample space for someone to mention this holiday, but it never comes up! However from Moses to Paul Scripture tells us to celebrate Passover. Learn the difference here.
5. The compromise of Easter undermines faith. What happens when you exchange truth for a lie? Does it matter if you swap out Passover for Easter? Romans 1:28 tells us that this exchange leads to a "reprobate mind, to do what it improper, and being filled with wickedness." I know none of us want that for ourselves or our families, so that's why it's important that we pay attention to the details and do things the way Scripture instructs. There is enough hypocrisy among believers, it's time to stop pretending the traditions of Easter are in the Bible and instead celebrate the death and resurrection of the Messiah when it actually happened and how Scripture instructs. Refuse to compromise on truth.
I'm really excited to be teaming up with Matanote Stationery today to bring you guys a fun giveaway for the Passover season! For several years, Matanote's Ten Plague Coasters have been part of our Seders. And they are hands down the most asked about item from my Passover tables, even beating out the matzah pinata! Since so many of you have mentioned you love them I thought you would enjoy a chance to get some for free! Along with the coasters, you could win an Afikoman bag! Details on that below.
The coasters are perfect for the ceremonial "waste wine" part of the traditional Seder or just a fun touch for a more laid back Passover celebration. I'm always happy to see daily life items with Biblical connotations. The pictures on it provide a little distraction for kids (an adults!) who are getting restless through a long Seder. Plus, you can work on your Hebrew!
I am also loving the Afikoman bag! Do you guys hide the afikoman at Passover? I have been to a few Seders where the kids have an all out hunt for it and they all loved it! The bag comes with a pretty sturdy piece of cardboard inside so the afikoman should stay reasonably intact even if it is found by excited tiny hands.
And is it just me or wouldn't this be so perfect to use as a super fun clutch at Passover? I mean why not? You will definitely have room for the essentials in here. Plus, if you happen to misplace it I feel like you have a better chance of it getting returned to you! After all, it says there is a reward.
I have also been sending Matanote cards to family and friends for years! While I'm not above a printable or handmade card, it's nice to have the real deal to wish someone chag sameach or Shabbat shalom or mazel tov. Some of my favorites are the matzah card, mazel tov on your engagement, and the thank you card. Which ones would you like? Let me know for extra entries!
Get entered below to win! We are giving away two of the afikoman bags with the ten plagues coasters, and some greeting cards tucked inside. Thank you to Molly from Matanote Stationery for providing such a great giveaway for the Passover season! Be sure to visit her shop and let me know which item is your favorite! Oh, and if you place an order be sure to use the code LANDOFHONEY for 15% off your purchase.
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The Passover season is when believers in Messiah celebrate his death and resurrection. Since that's what Christians celebrate at Easter does that mean the holiday is basically the same, just being called a different name? It's important that we understand the differences between these two holidays so that we can answer that question truthfully. While a rose by another name would smell sweetly, calling a random piece of garbage a rose won't make it smell good.
Let us compare these often misunderstood holidays and take a look at some of the key differences between them. Keep in mind, we are not comparing the intentions of the celebrants or what it means to those celebrating either day. This is a look at what Scripture says.
What are some of the differences between Passover and Easter?
1. We are commanded to celebrate Passover and told not to even utter the name of Easter. Exodus 12:14 says that we should observe Passover as a "festival to YHWH throughout your generations." We are given many instructions on it and see it celebrated throughout Scripture. The Messiah set the example for us and observed it with the Disciples. Meanwhile the holiday of Easter is given exactly no mentions in Scripture, but we are told to "make no mention of the names of other gods." (Exodus 23:13) Easter/Eostre/Ostara is the name of a pagan goddess.
2. The Messiah was killed on Passover and resurrected on First Fruits, neither happened on Easter. Yes, these usually land around the same time of year but that doesn't mean they are the same. Christmas and New Years are only a few days apart but no one would say they are the same holiday. There is no Biblical or historic significance to when Easter lands.
3. Passover is kept in the Bible, Easter is not. Scripture makes mention that all of Israel celebrated Passover along with Moses, Miriam, Aaron, and Joshua. Chronicles goes out of the way to tell us which kings honored this set apart time. Paul expressly told believers to remember the Messiah's death by observing Passover (believers who weren't Jewish, by the way). And of course the Messiah's last supper with his Disciples was at Passover. There is no mention of anyone in Scripture participating in Easter. The closest thing we see in Scripture to an Easter celebration is in Ezekiel 8, and YHWH is angered and disgusted by it.
4. The Passover lamb is an instruction of Scripture, Easter ham and bunnies are not. The traditional Easter ham is forbidden by Scripture (Leviticus 11:7), and having unclean animals (even colorful stuffed bunnies) in the sanctuary is called "horribly disgusting" in Ezekiel 8. However the Passover lamb is something the Israelites were directly instructed to serve at their Passover in Egypt, and that analogy continues with Revelation 5:13, with the Messiah being likened to the Passover lamb that was slain.
5. Scripture says that the Messiah was resurrected when it was still dark, but Easter says he rose at sunrise. I'm not sure why so many people believe that the Messiah rose at sunrise, when Scripture plainly tells us that when Mary Magdalene went to the tomb it was still dark and the stone had already been removed from the tomb (John 20:1). Haven't believers been called hypocrites enough? Let's be accurate with the most basic of details of Scripture in order to be taken more seriously. Additionally the concept of the oh-so-popular 'sunrise service' Easter morning is eerily similar to what was happening in Ezekiel 8 where men had their back to YHWH's temple to face the rising sun in the east. YHWH's response to this was, "Do they consider these disgusting practices a casual matter? Because it's filling their land with violence."
6. Scripture teaches that the Messiah was in the grave for three days, Easter tradition says less than 48 hours. The traditional Easter tale of the Messiah being killed on Good Friday and then being resurrected on Sunday does not add up to three days. It's important to get the details on things like this right to show the validity of faith and Scripture to those who don't believe. Scripture teaches that the Messiah was killed on Passover and rose from the dead three days later on First Fruits.
7. Passover emphasizes death, Easter life. Passover is a memorial of the death of Yahusha. While we celebrate his resurrection, that happened on First Fruits, so more emphasis is put on his death at Passover. When we remember that he died for our sins it gives us opportunity to examine ourselves: are we living in bondage to something he has set us free from? Is there something that we need to die to? Passover is a time of deep spiritual reflection, whereas Easter celebrations tend to lack depth and don't call to attention the importance of repentance.
8. Passover emphasizes making covenant with YHWH, Easter focuses on lighthearted silliness. To be sure, there is nothing wrong with playing games and having fun, but that's not all there is to the Biblical holidays. From the Exodus Passover to the Messiah's last supper there was much significance put on Passover as a time of entering into covenant with the Living God. It was a time for spiritual housecleaning and sincere self examination as well as learning Scripture. Most churches and people spend little if any time on the deeper end of things and instead focus on egg hunts, baskets of candy, new outfits, and Easter lunch. While Passover is a joyful time, the weightier spiritual matters are not to be overlooked.
9. Passover has historic significance to the people of Israel. Besides it being the death of the Messiah, Passover is when YHWH brought his people out of slavery in Exodus. There is so, so much depth and meaning with being set free from the world systems, chains of bondage being broken, YHWH being far stronger than the gods of the world, and the Messiah's sacrifice honoring YHWH's ancient covenant with Abraham. What is the historic significance with Easter? Mostly concerns are raised about connections to paganism and ungodly practices.
10. We are told not to worship YHWH the way other nations worship their gods. Did you ever wonder what bunnies and eggs have to do with the Yahusha defeating death? How did those get mixed into worship when Scripture never suggests they be part of a set apart day? Well, eggs and bunnies are symbols for fertility used in paganism. Since this is not a custom found in Scripture, it's a way that pagan nations worship other gods, so we are forbidden from using them to worship the Living God.
Let's talk about First Fruits! The third Biblical holiday of the year, First Fruits often gets overlooked in the shadow of Passover and Unleavened Bread. While it actually happens during the Week of Unleavened Bread, it deserves attention and celebration of its own.
As believers in Messiah, First Fruits is one of the most joyous days of the year because it commemorates Yahusha being raised back to life! After being killed on Passover, the Messiah rose from the dead three days later on the feast of First Fruits! When Paul mentions that the Messiah is the "first fruits of the dead" in 1 Corinthians 15:20 he's not only saying that Yahusha was the literal first fruits offering to YHWH, but also that the Messiah is the third festival of the year.
What is First Fruits? Historically it has been a day when the first of the barley harvest is gathered in the land of Israel, which makes it similar to the harvest celebrations of Shavuot and Sukkot. The theme of celebrating what YHWH provides is significant throughout Scripture, and should be central in our lives. Most of us aren't barley farmers, but we can still celebrate the provision that YHWH supplies us in the form of jobs, finances, a place to live, groceries, a garden, days of rest, friends and community, etc. Of course the ultimate provision is forgiveness for our sins...no matter how ugly or awful, forgiveness is available to us through the Messiah's sacrifice.
What should you know about First Fruits? It happens on the day after Shabbat during the Week of Unleavened Bread. Because Passover doesn't always land on the same day of the week (on most calendars), it's important to note that First Fruits doesn't always land three days after Passover - but it did when the Messiah was executed. The Festival of First Fruits is the kickoff for the counting of the omer, where we count fifty days to get to the next set apart time, Shavuot.
Significant events have taken place at First Fruits:
-Israel crossed over the Red Sea after leaving Egypt in the Exodus story. (Exodus 3:18, 5:3)
-The Temple was cleansed and sacrifices were reinstated under the reign of King Hezekiah. (1 Chronicles 29:17-18)
-Israel eats the first fruits of the Promised Land. (Joshua 5:10-12)
-Queen Esther foiled the plot of Haman. (Esther 3:12, 5:1)
-Noah's ark possibly came to rest on Mount Ararat after the flood on First Fruits.
-The resurrection of the Yahusha the Messiah. (Matthew 28)
-The walk to Emmaus, where Yahusha "expounded on all things concerning himself" from Scripture to a couple of his followers. (Luke 24:13-15)
All of these amazing events are a fresh start. Seeing your slave drivers swept away into the sea and leaving their land is a new beginning. The ark finally setting back down on the earth is mankind's second chance on the earth. Cleaning out the Temple, being saved from annihilation, eating from the Promised Land for the first time, and most importantly, the Savior being brought back to life? The freshest of starts, a blank slate. The trees bud, the flowers come up, and creation awakens. We are reminded that life starts all over again in the spring.
First Fruits is a time for:
1. Reading Scripture. Check out the stories of the empty tomb and read about the Messiah coming back to life. What did he have to say on the day of his resurrection? Wouldn't it have be amazing to hear him speak on the walk to Emmaus? Leviticus 23:9-14, Deuteronomy 26, and 1 Corinthians 15:20-28, would also be good to read.
2. Celebrating that the Messiah is alive! The greatest moment in history happened on this day. Rejoice and be glad! Spread the truth of this amazing act.
3. Recognizing and thanking YHWH for provision. Make a list of how much he really provides: material possessions, spiritual health, friends, physical nourishment, the positives of your environment, small things that make you smile. It's easy to overlook the many good gifts from him, make it a point to stop and acknowledge those today. Also remind yourself that he is providing for the needs of tomorrow as well.
4. Giving an offering. Pray about and discuss how you can offer first fruits of your own harvest. Tithing or donating money, giving your time to a good cause, and sharing your possessions are all ways to do that.
5. Remembering your heritage. Deuteronomy 26:5-11 gives the example of literally reciting the Israelite heritage of being rescued from slavery by YHWH when a person would hand their First Fruits offering to the priest. First Fruits is a time to remember both the story of the redemption of Israel as a whole, and also your personal story. Something along the lines of, "My life used to be like ______, but now YHWH has brought me blessings and - look - here I am able to celebrate his set apart times" fits well with the passage in Deuteronomy.
6. Blessing your spiritual leaders, foreigners, orphans and widows. Right after the above passage in Deuteronomy, Scripture makes mention of the tithing to the Levites, strangers in the community, and orphans and widows. What can you do to help these groups of people? Pastors, mentors, ministries, etc. all work hard to support your spiritual health, often at immense cost. Could you give them a gift or at least take the time to express your gratitude? How about those that could use support from you? What could you do to show them that they are loved and welcomed in YHWH's kingdom?
7. Worship. Have a dance party to great praise music or fall to your knees in awe and reverence of YHWH. Celebrate the Messiah's victory and the amazing plan of redemption he has for us. Worship him on one of the greatest of days.
8. Feasting. The first harvest of the year is a big moment. Long before grocery stores, you lived off of the fruits of your last harvest until the next year. That could be scary when supplies start to dwindle and you're a ways out from the abundance of summer. The barley harvest was a collective sigh that even if there wasn't a lot in that moment there was more provision coming. Celebrate that with a special meal. If you're a gardener include the first bits of produce that are starting to come up in your part of the world. Depending on the year that's usually green onions, herbs, sorrel, fiddle heads, and asparagus for me.
9. Counting the omer. First Fruits is day one of the counting of the omer. Make a fun calendar or counter and mark off the first day as we lead up to Shavuot.
Happiest of First Fruits to you! Enjoy this amazing day of celebrating the unquenchable life to the Messiah!
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