“Happy Easter!”  The word Easter is only found in scripture one time, and only in the KJV (cf. Acts 12: 4b).  In other translations you will find the word Passover (greek - pascha), meaning “to pass over, to spare.”  The word Easter (eastre) means “to shine, to dawn, to spring forth.”   We cannot have Easter without Christ crucified, they go hand-in-hand!   Jesus Christ was humanities  pascha Lamb!   John the baptist proclaimed “Behold!  The Lamb of God who take away the sin of the world!” (John 1: 29b)  Jesus made atonement for our sins on the cross (“For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” -1 Cor.5: 7b).   But Jesus did not stay in the grave!  On the third day He rose again (sprung forth)!   Christos anisette!  - “Christ is risen!”   Aleethoos anisette! - “He is truly risen!”  Most of what our culture celebrates on Easter has no connection with the empty grave and the resurrection miracle!   Because Jesus rose again, we can have eternal life through Him!   Jesus said, “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.” (John 11: 25-26)  - thats the Easter message - not “peter cotton tail.”  Lets get the Easter message out - 

Christ is risen!  And all God’s people said, “He is truly risen!”

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney