Last Thursday, I hosted my 1st online High Achievers Mentoring Program. While preparing for the session, I went in search of an image online that I could use to wish my participants a Happy Easter. Sadly, I found only images of bunnies, and eggs depicting Easter. I felt irritated that true meaning of Easter was getting lost, especially with the much younger generation, who believe Easter is about Easter Eggs and bunnies.
Meanwhile Easter is set aside to commemorate the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is probably the most important event in the Christian faith. Jesus Christ’s death ended his earthly ministry while his resurrection gave us – Christians the essence of our faith – victory through Jesus Christ, because He conquered death and all that is associated with death through His resurrection!
Well this anger triggered me to finally spend time over Easter to develop this newsletter and write this article! And I thank God for this becoming a reality. Not so bad, after all 😊.
Late last year, I got the idea to put together a Christian Newsletter and host a weekly online Bible study for those who might have a hectic work schedule, travelling professionals or those who for some reason have doubts about ‘church’ and are inquiring about the Christian Faith. When this idea bubbled up – I thought to myself – Is this God or is it Nneka?
I thought it was rather interesting that when I get a business idea, I don’t always question if it is God or Nneka speaking. Another doubt I had was did I have sufficient knowledge to write about my faith?? As I think about these ideas that came up, this is exactly how the enemy brings up negative suggestions to us. And if we are not careful, we unknowingly take it as our thoughts and act on them (This is the subject of an article for another time).
On Saturday, As I pondered over this God Idea (finally accepted as His) and at my now subsided anger on not finding any images depicting Christ’s resurrection, a word was impressed on me as I finished my morning devotion …. Holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power… Immediately I went to my Bible and found the scripture in 2 Tim 3: 1-5 (KJV)
1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The word denying in the Greek language ( the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language) is “arneomai” which means ‘ not to accept, to reject, to refuse something offered’ . As I meditated on this scripture, I realized It is easy for Christians to act godly or religious and unknowingly reject the power of God. The power and wisdom of God is Jesus Christ! (1 Cor 1: 18 -24).
It was only after Jesus sacrificed his life for you and me on the cross, and defeated Satan, and resurrected from the dead three days later, that we too can have the power over all the works of Satan (the enemy)!
I also did some research on the origin of the eggs used in Easter. I learnt that the tradition of painting hard-boiled eggs during springtime pre-dates Christianity. In many cultures around the world, the egg is a symbol of new life, fertility and rebirth.
For some Christians, the Easter egg is symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Painting Easter eggs is an especially beloved tradition in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches where the eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross. Easter eggs are blessed by the priest at the end of the Paschal vigil and distributed to the congregants. The hard shell of the egg represents the sealed Tomb of Christ, and cracking the shell represents Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.
I believe that when you trivialize the death, burial and resurrection by bunnies, and eggs (if you do not its purpose), I believe you also trivialize what Jesus did at the cross!
From April 10th – 24th, I will be facilitating a 3-week online Bible study on “Knowing the Power of the Resurrection” on Tuesday evenings from 7 – 8pm (GMT +1). Please join me if you can and send me any comments, questions or doubts you may have about this article.
QUESTION : What does Christ’s Resurrection mean to you?