What Does The Easter Bunny Have To Do With Jesus?

What is the connection between the Easter Bunny and Jesus?

In short: The Easter Bunny is not related to Jesus at all. At most, they’re both obviously tied to the holiday celebrating the resurrection, and they’re both considered symbols of new life—but the links to one another, essentially, end there.

What does the Easter Bunny symbolize?

E aster is the Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, but the seasonal chocolate eggs and the bunny who delivers them are nowhere to be found in scripture. The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny.

How do Christians explain the Easter Bunny?

The Easter Bunny is a beloved trope associated with the Easter holiday period. The rabbit has pre-Christian roots associated with fertility, new life, and spring. However, early Christians weaved the pagan symbolism of the rabbit into their Christian traditions to make the teachings of Jesus Christ more amenable to those outside of the faith.

What does Easter eggs have to do with Jesus?

What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter? ©Han Cheng Tan/Dreamstime.com Easter is the principal festival of the Christian church, a celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his Crucifixion. So where do the colored eggs fit in? The egg was a widely used premodern and pre-Christian symbol of fertility and restoration.

European “Pagans” (a term used to refer to people who practiced a variety of non-Christian traditions) viewed eggs as a symbol of the regeneration that comes with springtime. Early Christians borrowed this image and applied it not to the regeneration of the earth but rather to Jesus Christ. This was also extended to the new life of the faithful followers of Christ.

The tradition of dyeing and decorating Easter eggs is ancient, and its origin is obscure, but it has been practiced in both the Eastern Orthodox and the Western churches since the Middle Ages. The church prohibited the eating of eggs during Holy Week, but chickens continued to lay eggs during that week, and the notion of specially identifying those as Holy Week eggs brought about their decoration.

• The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection.
• Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell.
• In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross.
• The egg-coloring tradition has continued even in modern secular nations.

In the United States, for example, the White House Easter Egg Roll has been held, with some interruptions, on the Monday following Easter since 1878. : What Do Eggs Have to Do with Easter?

Why did the Easter bunny replace Jesus?

The Origins of the Easter Bunny in Pagan Traditions – The origins of the Easter Bunny can be traced back to pagan traditions that predate Christianity. Many ancient cultures believed in a fertility goddess, often represented by a hare or rabbit. The hare was seen as a symbol of fertility and rebirth because of its ability to produce so many offspring.

• The Germanic peoples who lived in Europe during the Middle Ages also celebrated the coming of spring with a festival dedicated to the goddess Eostre.
• According to legend, Eostre found a bird dying from the cold and transformed it into a hare.
• The hare then laid eggs as a sign of rebirth and renewal.
• These pagan traditions were eventually absorbed into Christian celebrations of Easter, which also marked the rebirth of Jesus Christ.

The hare or rabbit became a symbol of the resurrection and new life.

How did Easter become about bunny?

Where does the Easter Bunny come from? – As Christians probably already know, the Bible makes no mention of a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ’s resurrection. So, why exactly has a rabbit become a prominent part of one of Christianity’s most important celebrations of rebirth and renewal? One theory, according to Time, is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from the ancient pagan tradition on which many of our Easter traditions are based — the festival of Eostre, which honored the goddess of fertility and spring.

The goddess’s animal symbol was a rabbit, which have long traditionally stood for fertility due to their high reproduction rates. As for how the character of the Easter Bunny made its way to America, History.com reports that it was first introduced in the 1700s by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who reportedly brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws” from the Old Country.

Legend has it, the rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good, so kids would make nests in which the bunny could leave his eggs and even sometimes set out carrots in case the hare got hungry. Remind you of any other holiday traditions? Eventually, the custom spread across America until it was a widespread Easter tradition. Carol Yepes

Is Easter in the Bible?

W hat if I told you that there is no mention of Easter in the New Testament? And conversely, that Easter traditions are mentioned in the Old Testament—the Hebrew Bible—and that it even describes Israelites celebrating “Easter” many centuries before Christianity? Have you ever wondered where the many peculiar Easter traditions came from? What do painted eggs, bunnies and hot cross buns have to do with Jesus? Why is the crucifixion marked on “Good Friday” and the resurrection on “Easter Sunday,” less than two full days and nights later—when Jesus said that he would be buried for ” three days and three nights” (and that as a sole sign of his Messiahship, no less)? Christmas and Easter are two of the most widely celebrated holidays on the Christian calendar.

What’s the truth behind Easter?

Have you ever wondered why we observe the present-day Easter symbols and traditions? If you knew their origins, would it make a difference in the way you allow your children to observe this holiday? Like the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas, Easter has turned into a melting pot of activities that have nothing to do with our Lord’s death and resurrection.

Although traditions like the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunts seem as harmless as believing in Santa Claus, they actually have a significant association with pagan worship and rituals from the past. Easter’s name – The name Easter is never associated with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ in the original Scriptures and is actually derived from the word “Eostre.” Eostre was Queen Semiramis, the wife of Nimrod, Noah’s evil but enterprising great grandson (Genesis 10:6-8).

Eostre’s history – Nimrod built the major cities of Babel, Asshur, Nineveh, and Calah (Genesis 10:10-12), which were known for their evil and unimaginable worship practices and perversion. Remember the story of Jonah? After Nimrod’s death, Queen Semiramis kept these evil practices alive by deifying Nimrod as the sun god.

Later, Queen Semiramis gave birth to an illegitimate son, Tammuz. She convinced the people that this son was supernaturally conceived and the child promised by God in Genesis 3:15. The people worshipped Tammuz as the reincarnation of Nimrod, but more importantly, the people worshipped Queen Semiramis as the mother goddess.

The horrible human sacrifice, idolatry, astrology, and satanic worship in these false religions -sun (Nimrod) and moon (Eostre) – continued until the time of the Tower of Babel. Because of their sin, God confused the people’s language to disperse them throughout the world (Genesis 11:7).

As the people resettled in new lands, they took their pagan worship with them. Queen Semiramis came to be known as Ostera (an Anglo-Saxon goddess who symbolized the rebirth of the day and new life in the spring), Astarte (Phoenician goddess of the moon), Eastre, and Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth (the wife of Baal and the queen of heaven).

Nimrod’s other names were Baal, Baalim, Molech, the god of fire, and the great life giver. Any serious study of the Old Testament reveals God’s hatred for this false worship, and Ezekiel 8:14 specifically mentions Tammuz in its condemnation. Easter’s origin – The beginning of Easter goes back to the springtime ritual begun by Queen Semiramis following the death of Tammuz.

• Legend has it that through her tears, Tammuz could be resurrected in the reincarnated form of new vegetation on Earth.
• With the spread of Christianity many years later, it was a common practice to adapt the existing non-Christian festivals and assimilate them into Christian theology.
• Because Queen Semiramis (Eostre) was the goddess of spring and her symbolism dealt with renewal and rebirth, the Christian belief in the resurrection of Christ fit well with these themes.

Today, American history teaches us that Easter was dismissed as a pagan holiday by the nation’s founding Puritans and did not begin to be observed widely until after the Civil War. Easter eggs/baskets – The Babylonians considered the egg a sacred symbol that represented Ostera’s fertility and new life (the 28-day cycle of the moon and the monthly cycle of a woman).

• The Babylonians believed in a fable about a huge egg that fell from heaven into the Euphrates River which hatched Queen Semiramis.
• Egg dying was observed in the evil rituals celebrating the spring equinox.
• The Egyptians hung decorated eggs in the temple, and the Romans used decorated eggs in processions honoring the mother goddess.

The Druids used the egg as their sacred emblem. Gauls, Chinese, and Persians also used colored eggs for their ancient pagan spring festivals to represent rebirth. During the Middle Ages, Europeans collected different colored bird eggs from nests to use as charms against evil and bring them good fortune.

Later, the painting of eggs became more popular. Now, the Easter basket is used to resemble birds’ nests. Easter bunny – Rabbits have long been recognized as a fertility symbol and can also be traced back to the practices established by Semiramis. In the 1500s in Germany, some people believed that bunnies laid red eggs on Holy Thursday and multi-colored eggs the night before Easter Sunday.

Later, the custom evolved into edible Easter bunnies made out of sugared pastry. This tradition came to America during the 1700s with the Pennsylvania Dutch, who emigrated from Germany, and evolved into chocolate Easter bunnies and eggs during the American Civil War.

1. Children believed that if they were good to the “Oschter haw” (Easter bunny), he would lay a nest of colored eggs.
2. After reading the enlightening details above, one might wonder if there isn’t a better way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
3. The LIFEPAC 1st Grade Bible Unit 10 Worktext from Alpha Omega Publications can help with information that teaches Easter’s true meaning as found in 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.” Perhaps it’s time we change the world’s Easter back to Christ’s “Resurrection Sunday” and offer heartfelt praises for Christ’s sacrifice and victory over sin and death.

Hallelujah, He has risen!

What is the true story of Easter?

Easter actually originated as an ancient pagan celebration of the spring equinox. In Christianity, the day was dedicated to observing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated around the time of the Jewish Passover.

When was Jesus actually born?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Birth of Jesus

Nativity by Robert Campin ( c.  1420 ), depicting the birth of Jesus Christ during Spring
Date	8/8/8 BC

The date of birth of Jesus is not stated in the gospels or in any historical sources, but most biblical scholars generally accept a date of birth between 6 BC and 4 BC, the year in which King Herod died. The historical evidence is too incomplete to allow a definitive dating, but the year is estimated through three different approaches:

• analysing references to known historical events mentioned in the nativity accounts in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew,
• working backward from the estimation of the start of the ministry of Jesus, and
• astrological or astronomical alignments.

The common Christian traditional dating of the birthdate of Jesus was 25 December, a date first asserted officially by Pope Julius I in 350 AD, although this claim is dubious or otherwise unfounded. The day or season has been estimated by various methods, including the description of shepherds watching over their sheep.

What does the rabbit symbolize in Christianity?

A Comprehensive Guide to Rabbit Symbolism: Everything You Need to Know — Palos Verdes Pulse Rabbits are one of the most commonly seen animals in the world. They are also one of the most Symbolically rich creatures we know. From Easter to Alice in Wonderland, rabbits have played a role in human culture for centuries. In this blog post, we will explore everything there is to know about the Symbolism of rabbits! We’ll discuss their meanings in different cultures, how they’ve been portrayed in mythology and folklore, and much more! So if you’re curious about the Symbolism of these furry little creatures, read on! Rabbit Symbolism in Different Cultures Rabbit symbolism is evident in many cultures worldwide. For instance, the ancient Egyptians believed rabbits were lucky animals that brought good fortune and prosperity. They associated rabbits with the moon and believed that they possessed magical powers.

• In Native American culture, rabbits represented fertility and abundance.
• The Pawnee tribe believed rabbits could communicate with the spirit world, while the Navajo tribe associated rabbits with rain and abundance.
• In Chinese culture, rabbits symbolized longevity, fertility, and good fortune.
• According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the year of the rabbit were believed to possess strong character traits such as creativity, empathy, and intelligence.

Similarly, rabbits symbolized growth, abundance, and new beginnings in Celtic culture. Rabbit Symbolism in Literature and Media Rabbit symbolism is also prevalent in literature and media. One of the most notable examples is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The white rabbit is a prominent character in the book, representing curiosity, adventure, and the journey into the unknown.

1. Similarly, Watership Down by Richard Adams portrays rabbits as intelligent, sensitive creatures with strong bonds and leadership qualities.
2. In popular culture, Bugs Bunny is a well-known rabbit character that has entertained generations with his wit and humor.
3. The character embodies cleverness, resourcefulness, and playfulness.

Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is another iconic rabbit character representing mischief, curiosity, and the joy of exploration. Rabbit Symbolism in Spirituality and Religion Rabbit symbolism is also evident in various spiritual and religious practices. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life.

1. In Buddhism, rabbits symbolize humility, kindness, and compassion.
2. The story of the selfless rabbit who offered his body as food to a hungry traveler is a popular Buddhist tale highlighting the virtues of generosity and selflessness.
3. In Paganism, rabbits are associated with the moon and are believed to possess magical powers.

The rabbit’s ability to burrow into the earth symbolizes its connection to the spiritual world. In Shamanism, rabbits represent intuition, fertility, and transformation. The rabbit’s ability to navigate the underground tunnels signifies the journey into the unknown and discovering hidden truths. Rabbit Symbolism in Dreams Rabbits also hold symbolic meanings in dreams. Seeing a rabbit in a dream may signify fertility, abundance, and new beginnings. A dream where a rabbit runs away from something may represent fear, anxiety, or a desire to escape a situation. Rabbit Symbolism in Art and Design Rabbit motifs are also popular in art and design. In Chinese art, rabbits are often depicted alongside the moon and flowers, representing harmony, prosperity, and longevity. In Western art, rabbits are often associated with innocence, playfulness, and curiosity.

• In fashion, rabbit fur is a luxurious material that symbolizes elegance and sophistication.
• The interpretation of rabbit symbolism in art and design may vary depending on the artist’s intent and the context of the artwork.
• However, the recurring themes of fertility, abundance, and new beginnings are often present in rabbit-inspired art and design.

Whether it’s a playful cartoon rabbit or an intricate sculpture of a white rabbit, art featuring rabbits often evokes joy, innocence, playfulness, and hope. Rabbit motifs can be seen in paintings, sculptures, clothing, textile designs, jewelry, and more. Parting Thoughts In conclusion, rabbit symbolism is a fascinating concept that can inspire us to explore our inner world of mystery and knowledge. Whether connected to fertility or bringing luck, rabbits can be incredibly meaningful symbols in many different contexts.

• From the tangible benefits, such as enhanced agriculture and medicine, to the intangible power of creativity and insight, understanding the rich symbolism associated with rabbits can serve as an important reminder of their presence in our lives.
• Understanding rabbit symbolism has many applications, all of which have something unique regarding growth, understanding and self-improvement.

All-in-all, connecting with these little creatures’ symbolism can be a powerful way to help us move through life with confidence and curiosity! : A Comprehensive Guide to Rabbit Symbolism: Everything You Need to Know — Palos Verdes Pulse

What does Easter mean in the Bible?

The Origins and Practices of Holidays: Easter Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter takes place three days after Jesus’s death on, This holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ” series of holidays that began with, Photo of an Easter lunch meal with Easter eggs on the table, as well as ham and carrots. Photo courtesy of Flickr user jchapiewsky. For Catholics, this day is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that Catholics must attend Mass at church. Easter is one of the two Christian holidays that most Christians attend at church.

There are many Christian families who do not attend church regularly, but do attend “for Christmas and Easter.” Those two holidays are considered to be the two most important Christian holidays. Some common traditions for families celebrating Easter are: decorating Easter eggs with paint or dye, hunting for Easter eggs, eating chocolate eggs & bunnies, and eating a traditional Easter meal.

This meal often includes deviled eggs, ham or lamb, and carrots. Some Easter traditions are not closely associated with the religious aspects of the holiday, but are common symbols of spring. One example is the Easter bunny. The origins of the Easter Bunny as a figure that delivers candy and chocolate eggs to children for Easter are unknown. Photo of Easter eggs dyed red and blue According to legend, after Jesus was resurrected, Mary Magdalene, a devout follower, went to visit the Roman Emperor Tiberius Caesar in Rome. She brought with her, an egg, to illustrate that Jesus had been resurrected (like an egg hatching).

• She held out the egg in her hand and said, “Christ is risen!” The Emperor replied that Christ has no more risen than the egg in her hand was red.
• Upon saying those words, the egg in Mary’s hand turned red as a sign from God that her message was true.
• This may be how the tradition of decorating eggs started.

In Western churches, Easter always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calendar, and for them, Easter falls on a Sunday between April 4 and May 8 each year. This year, Orthodox Easter falls on April 28.

What did Jesus say on Easter?

John 11:25-26. Jesus said to her, ‘ I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

What did Jesus eat for Easter?

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By Sara Jane Pohlman/Lodi Living Editor Apr 3, 2015 Apr 3, 2015

+4 Caroline T. Schroeder, associate professor, University of the Pacific “Only bread and wine are mentioned (in the Bible) — a simple meal, for simple folk who have been traveling, do not have a lot of money,,” Randall Gee/courtesy photograph Honey-roasted ham.

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Why is it called Easter?

Easter as a rite of spring – Most major holidays have some connection to the changing of seasons. This is especially obvious The New Testament gives no information about what time of year Jesus was born. however, that the main reason Jesus’ birth came to be celebrated on December 25 is because that was the date of the winter solstice according to the Roman calendar.

1. Since the days following the winter solstice gradually become longer and less dark, it was ideal symbolism for the birth of as stated in the New Testament’s Gospel of John.
2. Similar was the case with Easter, which falls in close proximity to another key point in the solar year: the vernal equinox (around March 20), when there are equal periods of light and darkness.

For those in northern latitudes, the coming of spring is often met with excitement, as it means an end to the cold days of winter. Spring also means the coming back to life of plants and trees that have been dormant for winter, as well as the birth of new life in the animal world.

1. Given the symbolism of new life and rebirth, it was only natural to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus at this time of the year.
2. The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring.
3. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century.

As religious studies scholar : “Bede wrote that the month in which English Christians were celebrating the resurrection of Jesus had been called Eosturmonath in Old English, referring to a goddess named Eostre. And even though Christians had begun affirming the Christian meaning of the celebration, they continued to use the name of the goddess to designate the season.” Bede was so influential for later Christians that the name stuck, and hence Easter remains the name by which the English, Germans and Americans refer to the festival of Jesus’ resurrection.

Is Easter about Jesus not the Easter Bunny?

Easter Is Not About Bunnies, It’s About Jesus Easter Is Not About Bunnies Easter is undoubtedly the holiest period on the Christian calendar. It is a time for believers to reflect on the magnificent sacrifice the Lord Jesus made for us on the Cross and to celebrate His Resurrection.

Yet, as with all things, the secular media has hijacked the true meaning of Easter and commercialised it. Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and hot cross buns have come to symbolise ‘Easter’ to many children and unsaved households. Obviously this is a concern to all Christians and a money-making trend that we need to address, but with much wisdom and gentleness! THE ORIGIN OF EASTER Before one can establish a Biblical response to the commercialisation of Easter, it is important to understand the motives and origination of the popular associations the world has with this event.

Now, I must tread very carefully when discussing the history of Easter, as the facts are sketchy at best. Some reference the Disciples as the group that initially set aside three holy days to honour and remember the work of the Lord, coinciding with the Passover feast in Jerusalem at the time.

The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible says that Easter was originally the spring festival in honour of the Teutonic goddess of light and spring known in Anglo-Saxon as Eastre, or Eostre. They say, “The Church in its early days adopted certain pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them. As the festival of Eostre was in celebration of the renewal of life in the spring it was easy to make it a celebration of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus.

This adoption explains how in certain lands the Easter customs, such as Easter eggs, the Easter rabbit, and hot cross buns, came about. Concerning the custom of making hot cross buns, with their shiny brown tops marked by a cross.” The book Easter and Its Customs states: “The cross was a pagan symbol long before it acquired everlasting significance from the events of the first Good Friday, and bread and cakes were sometimes marked with it in pre-Christian times.” THE BIBLICAL RESPONSE Regardless of which account a person believes, the question remains, how should we respond? Without trying to offend anyone, I would like to suggest that we should not “throw the baby out with the bathwater” as the saying goes and do away with celebrating Easter (or Christmas for that matter).

Not only do current Christian celebrations and church services remind believers and the world of the immense Grace and Mercy of Christ through His death and Resurrection, but they also act as a city on a hill, shining the Light and Truth of the Gospel in a culture steeped in secular humanist beliefs.

THE REASON FOR THE SEASON Though the world has chosen to commercialise Easter and associate it with eggs, we as believers should not cease to celebrate Easter. Personally (you may disagree), I do not think it is worthwhile to try and ‘fight’ the production of ‘Easter’ eggs, ‘Easter’ bunnies etc.

• The best way for us to reach the world with the Gospel is not to totally alienate ourselves from its practices, but to bring the salt and the light into our conversations and behaviour.
• As a young girl, I loved Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies and grilled hot cross buns.
• I also had a strong Christian influence that ensured that I did not lose sight of the real “reason for the season”.

If you choose not to have an Easter egg hunt with your children, or to purchase Easter eggs, that is your prerogative. AN OPPORTUNITY TO WITNESS If you do however participate in these things, then why not take the time to explain the significance of Easter and the true meaning of why we have “a long weekend” every March/April.

• Sometimes when we have a knee-jerk reaction to worldly ideas (like Easter bunnies, Father Christmas, Christmas trees etc) we can actually end up doing more damage for the Gospel.
• Why? Because often when we limit or restrict popular customs within our family, we cause our children to rebel and see Christianity as oppressive, or, we cause our unsaved friends and family members to distance themselves from us because we are “party poopers” and “out of touch” with reality.

I am not advocating that Christians become like the world and act like the world – we should always stand out – but, at the end of the day, it is a matter of personal conscience and what you believe the Lord has laid on your heart to do or not to do.

• If all Christians stopped celebrating Christmas (or Easter) what reminder would the world ever have of the true reason to celebrate? So many people stumble into churches over Christmas and Easter because they feel particularly sentimental or religious.
• This is a GOOD thing! We can use their ‘warm and fuzzy’ feelings to draw them to a Christmas play or an Easter production and deliver the powerful, life-changing Gospel message.

HONOUR THE LORD Whatever your family or church chooses to do this Easter in terms of celebrating the Atoning work of Christ, ensure that you are placing Christ at the centre of your focus. Infuse your children and grandchildren with the message of the Gospel and the values of Biblical Christianity.

Invite unsaved or wayward friends and family to church, followed by a lunch on Good Friday and reflect in a true and loving way upon the amazing sacrifice Christ made for us. Use Easter Monday to enjoy a devotion with family or Christian friends and to take Communion, pray, worship and honour the Lord.

It’s About Jesus Christ is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:6-8); our Sin Offering (Rom 8:3); our Atonement (Rom 3:25). When Christ, the perfect Son of God, a Lamb without spot or blemish (1 Pet 1:19) shed His precious Blood on the Cross it was a substitutionary death.

He died for us, in our place (1 Pet 3:18), the innocent for the guilty, the just in the place of the unjust. HE WAS PIERCED FOR OUR TRANSGRESSIONS “He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities, the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healedthe Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us allfor the transgression of my people He was strickenand the Lord makes His life a guilt offeringmy Righteous Servant will justify many, and He will bear their iniquities.” Isa 53:5-11 There is no doubt that Jesus Christ remains the greatest person who ever lived because He made the greatest sacrifice to fill the greatest need for the greatest number of people.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 He is the Saviour, the Eternal King and Judge. He is the giver of life and of forgiveness. We need forgiveness for sin and freedom from sin.

1. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Rom 6:23 Jesus dying on the Cross brought about so many significant, eternal consequences.
2. He redeemed us from the wages of sin.
3. He rescued us from an eternity separated from God.
4. He transferred us into the Kingdom of Heaven where we experience unparalleled hope and joy.

CHRIST HAS GIVEN MANKIND THE OFFER OF SALVATION, REDEMPION AND ETERNAL LLIFE On earth, the consequences of Jesus’ death included that, the curse of sin was broken over all who believe and follow Christ. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

• I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10 Jesus Christ gives us our spiritual life, eternal life and abundant life.
• We need Grace – undeserved favour – and it is in Jesus Christ that we find the mercy we so desperately need.
• For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Eph 2:8-9 Because the blood of an innocent had to be shed, Christ was the perfect and only propitiation for our sins.

“He is the propitiation for our sins.” 1 Pet 2:2 Because His Blood was shed for us, we are able to enjoy communion and fellowship with the Father and an eternal life in Heaven. There is power in the Blood and this Easter, when we partake in Communion and remember the atoning work of Jesus at Calvary, we can know that His Blood has covered every sin and washes us white as snow.

THE LIFE IS IN THE BLOOD Over 3 400 years ago God said: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you, upon the altar, to make atonement for your soul; for it is the Blood that makes atonement for the soul.” Lev 17:11 No one could have understood until quite recently just how profound that truth is.

The first reference we have to Blood in the Bible is in Genesis 4:10-11: “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.” THE PROTECTION OF GOD Whatever situation we are facing, we can know that Christ’s Blood offers protection to us.

“Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are. And when I see that blood, I will pass over you; and the plague shall not be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt.” Exo 12:13 THE FOUNTAUN OF SALVATION “In that day a fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness.” Zech 13:1.

The Blood of Christ is a synonym for the Gospel. It is the Blood of Christ that redeems us from all sin. “But this is My Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matt 26:28

REDEEMED BY HIS BLOOD The first greeting that Christ received was that which hailed the power of His Blood when John the Baptist cried out: “Behold the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.” John 1:29And the last recorded salutation that Christ will receive will be the Song of the Redeemed: “You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seal; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your Blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing forever and ever!” Rev 5:9-13

Sin is the breaking of the Law of God. A broken Law demands a penalty. The wages of sin is death. All men have broken the Law of God and are under the sentence of eternal death. Christ Jesus died as our substitute, in our place. He rendered complete obedience to the Law of God and made full atonement for our sins.

“Much more then, having now been justified by His Blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Rom 5:9 SET FREE The greatness and sacredness of man’s soul is attested to by two facts: First, the creation of our soul is in the image of the Eternal God. Second, the price that has been paid for the redemption of the soul is the precious Blood of Christ.

Christ redeemed us from the bondage and slavery of sin. “Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conductbut with the precious Blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Pet 1:18-19 RECONCILED Sin has alienated and separated us from God.

• Behold, the Lord’s Hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.
• But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.
• For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue has muttered perversity.” Isa 59:1-3 Sin always alienates and separates us from the presence of God.

The question is: How can man and God be reconciled? By the precious Blood of Christ. “And by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in Heaven, having made peace through the Blood of His Cross.” Col 1:20 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the Blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 “In Him we have redemption by His Blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of His Grace.” Eph1:7 TRANSFORMED BY THE BLOOD “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Since we have now been justified by His Blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesusthrough Whom we have now received reconciliation.” Rom 5:8-11 A VISION OF THE CROSS Charles Spurgeon once said: “Stand at the foot of the Cross, and count the purple drops by which you have been cleansed.

See the crown of thorns, mark His scourged shoulders, still gushing with incrimsoned rolls” and if you do not surrender your life to Christ “on the ground before that Cross, you have never seen it.” Have you seen it? Have you been to Calvary? Christ died for you.

What is the symbol of Jesus?

cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians. In ceremonial usage, making a sign of the cross may be, according to the context, an act of profession of faith, a prayer, a dedication, or a benediction,

There are four basic types of iconographic representations of the cross: the crux quadrata, or Greek cross, with four equal arms; the crux immissa, or Latin cross, whose base stem is longer than the other three arms; the crux commissa, in the form of the Greek letter tau, sometimes called St. Anthony’s cross ; and the crux decussata, named from the Roman decussis, or symbol of the numeral 10, also known as St.

Andrew’s cross for the supposed manner of the martyrdom of St. Andrew the Apostle, Tradition favours the crux immissa as that on which Christ died, but some believe that it was a crux commissa. The many variations and ornamentations of processional, altar, and heraldic crosses, of carved and painted crosses in churches, graveyards, and elsewhere, are developments of these four types. Britannica Quiz Christianity Quiz Cross forms were used as symbols, religious or otherwise, long before the Christian Era, but it is not always clear whether they were simply marks of identification or possession or were significant for belief and worship.

Two pre-Christian cross forms have had some vogue in Christian usage. The ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol of life—the ankh, a tau cross surmounted by a loop and known as crux ansata —was adopted and extensively used on Coptic Christian monuments. The swastika, called crux gammata, composed of four Greek capitals of the letter gamma, is marked on many early Christian tombs as a veiled symbol of the cross.

Before the time of the emperor Constantine in the 4th century, Christians were extremely reticent about portraying the cross because too open a display of it might expose them to ridicule or danger. After Constantine converted to Christianity, he abolished crucifixion as a death penalty and promoted, as symbols of the Christian faith, both the cross and the chi-rho monogram of the name of Christ.

1. The symbols became immensely popular in Christian art and funerary monuments from c.350.
2. For several centuries after Constantine, Christian devotion to the cross centred on the victory of Christ over the powers of evil and death, and realistic portrayal of his suffering was avoided.
3. The earliest crucifixes (crosses containing a representation of Christ) depict Christ alive, with eyes open and arms extended, his Godhead manifest, even though he is pierced and dead in his manhood.

By the 9th century, however, artists began to stress the realistic aspects of Christ’s suffering and death. Subsequently, Western portrayals of the Crucifixion, whether painted or carved, exhibited an increasing finesse in the suggestion of pain and agony.

Romanesque crucifixes often show a royal crown upon Christ’s head, but later Gothic types replaced it with a crown of thorns. In the 20th century a new emphasis emerged in Roman Catholicism, especially for crucifixes in liturgical settings. Christ on the cross is crowned and vested as a king and priest, and the marks of his suffering are much less prominent.

After the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, the Lutherans generally retained the ornamental and ceremonial use of the cross. The Reformed churches, however, resisted such use of the cross until the 20th century, when ornamental crosses on church buildings and on communion tables began to appear.

The Church of England retained the ceremonial signing with the cross in the rite of baptism, Since the mid-19th century, Anglican churches have witnessed a revival of the use of the cross. The crucifix, however, is almost entirely confined to private devotional use. A number of Protestant churches and homes display an empty cross, without a depiction of Christ, to memorialize the Crucifixion while representing the triumphant defeat of death in the Resurrection.

See also True Cross ; crucifixion, Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello,

Why is it called Good Friday?

Image source, Thinkstock It is the day when Christians commemorate Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. So why is it called Good Friday? According to the Bible, the son of God was flogged, ordered to carry the cross on which he would be crucified and then put to death.

It’s difficult to see what is “good” about it. Some sources suggest that the day is “good” in that it is holy, or that the phrase is a corruption of “God’s Friday”. However, according to Fiona MacPherson, senior editor at the Oxford English Dictionary, the adjective traditionally “designates a day on (or sometimes a season in) which religious observance is held”.

The OED states that “good” in this context refers to “a day or season observed as holy by the church”, hence the greeting “good tide” at Christmas or on Shrove Tuesday. In addition to Good Friday, there is also a less well-known Good Wednesday, namely the Wednesday before Easter.

The earliest known use of “guode friday” is found in The South English Legendary, a text from around 1290, according to the dictionary. According to the Baltimore Catechism – the standard US Catholic school text from 1885 to the 1960s, Good Friday is good because Christ “showed His great love for man, and purchased for him every blessing”,

The Catholic Encyclopedia, first published in 1907, states that the term’s origins are not clear. It says some sources see its origins in the term “God’s Friday” or Gottes Freitag, while others maintain that it is from the German Gute Freitag. It notes that the day was called Long Friday by the Anglo-Saxons and is referred to as such in modern Danish.

What is the Easter Bunny’s real name?

Easter Bunny (folklore) Easter Bunny Easter HareEaster Rabbit Magic Super SpeedInfinite StaminaOmnipotenceArtistic skills Craftmanship Give eggs and sweets to people in Easter Mrs Easter Bunny (wife; some sources) Irontail (arch-enemy in “Here Comes Peter Cottontail”) Jack FrostOld Man Winter The Easter Bunny is a rabbit that delivers presents and eggs to children on Easter.

The tradition goes back a very long way just like the ones about and the, His real name is Peter Cottontail, just like how Santa’s real name is either Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle. He could possibly be the pet rabbit of Peter and Andrew the apostles of, After all, rabbits, ducks, and chicks made sounds that woke up Jesus’s disciples the morning after he was crucified, which is how they came into Easter.

In Here Comes Peter Cottontail, he was voiced by the late Casey Kasem. In The First Easter Rabbit, he was voiced by the late Robert Morse.

Why do we hide eggs on Easter?

Why do we hide eggs at Easter? Where does the Easter bunny tradition come from? Easter is a perfect celebration for bringing together the family for some fun. While a Christian festival by origin much of its symbolism is taken from aspects that are not featured in the bible, namely the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.

The tradition of hiding eggs at Easter is believed to have originated from pagan spring festivals that celebrated new life, the spring equinox, and new beginnings. During these festivals, eggs were decorated and given as gifts to symbolise the rebirth of nature after winter. As Christianity grew in Europe in the 1st century, pagan festivals were adapted for the new religion,

The eggshell was seen as a symbol of the tomb from which Jesus emerged, while the egg itself represented new life, Over time, the tradition of decorating and hiding eggs at Easter became popular among Christians, and it remains an important part of Easter celebrations in many cultures around the world.

This week, Passover, Ramadan and Easter overlap, which only happens three times each century.This rare and special occasion is a time for all communities to come together and make a common call for compassion, inclusion and peace.

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) The tradition of the Easter bunny is believed to have originated in Germany in the 17th century, According to legend, a hare would lay eggs and hide them in the grass for children to find during the Easter season. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 18th century, where it became popularized and evolved into the Easter bunny we know today.

What was Easter before Christianity?

The pagan origins of Easter – While Christmas was a celebration of the winter solstice, Easter was a celebration of the spring equinox for the pagans. Pagans lived their lives in strong accordance with nature’s rhythms and patterns, and solstices and equinoxes were considered to be sacred times.

A solstice marks the longest or shortest day of the year, while an equinox symbolises the day when there is balance between daylight and darkness. This shows the end of one season and the beginning of another. In the northern hemisphere, Easter falls on the spring equinox, when winter is coming to an end and nature is experiencing a rebirth and renewal.

This is naturally a cause for festivities and celebrations, as the darkness comes to an end and plants and leaves start to regrow after the cold winter.

What does the rabbit symbolize in Christianity?

A Comprehensive Guide to Rabbit Symbolism: Everything You Need to Know — Palos Verdes Pulse Rabbits are one of the most commonly seen animals in the world. They are also one of the most Symbolically rich creatures we know. From Easter to Alice in Wonderland, rabbits have played a role in human culture for centuries. In this blog post, we will explore everything there is to know about the Symbolism of rabbits! We’ll discuss their meanings in different cultures, how they’ve been portrayed in mythology and folklore, and much more! So if you’re curious about the Symbolism of these furry little creatures, read on! Rabbit Symbolism in Different Cultures Rabbit symbolism is evident in many cultures worldwide. For instance, the ancient Egyptians believed rabbits were lucky animals that brought good fortune and prosperity. They associated rabbits with the moon and believed that they possessed magical powers.

In Native American culture, rabbits represented fertility and abundance. The Pawnee tribe believed rabbits could communicate with the spirit world, while the Navajo tribe associated rabbits with rain and abundance. In Chinese culture, rabbits symbolized longevity, fertility, and good fortune. According to the Chinese zodiac, people born in the year of the rabbit were believed to possess strong character traits such as creativity, empathy, and intelligence.

Similarly, rabbits symbolized growth, abundance, and new beginnings in Celtic culture. Rabbit Symbolism in Literature and Media Rabbit symbolism is also prevalent in literature and media. One of the most notable examples is Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. The white rabbit is a prominent character in the book, representing curiosity, adventure, and the journey into the unknown.

Similarly, Watership Down by Richard Adams portrays rabbits as intelligent, sensitive creatures with strong bonds and leadership qualities. In popular culture, Bugs Bunny is a well-known rabbit character that has entertained generations with his wit and humor. The character embodies cleverness, resourcefulness, and playfulness.

Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter is another iconic rabbit character representing mischief, curiosity, and the joy of exploration. Rabbit Symbolism in Spirituality and Religion Rabbit symbolism is also evident in various spiritual and religious practices. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit’s ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life.

In Buddhism, rabbits symbolize humility, kindness, and compassion. The story of the selfless rabbit who offered his body as food to a hungry traveler is a popular Buddhist tale highlighting the virtues of generosity and selflessness. In Paganism, rabbits are associated with the moon and are believed to possess magical powers.

The rabbit’s ability to burrow into the earth symbolizes its connection to the spiritual world. In Shamanism, rabbits represent intuition, fertility, and transformation. The rabbit’s ability to navigate the underground tunnels signifies the journey into the unknown and discovering hidden truths. Rabbit Symbolism in Dreams Rabbits also hold symbolic meanings in dreams. Seeing a rabbit in a dream may signify fertility, abundance, and new beginnings. A dream where a rabbit runs away from something may represent fear, anxiety, or a desire to escape a situation. Rabbit Symbolism in Art and Design Rabbit motifs are also popular in art and design. In Chinese art, rabbits are often depicted alongside the moon and flowers, representing harmony, prosperity, and longevity. In Western art, rabbits are often associated with innocence, playfulness, and curiosity.

In fashion, rabbit fur is a luxurious material that symbolizes elegance and sophistication. The interpretation of rabbit symbolism in art and design may vary depending on the artist’s intent and the context of the artwork. However, the recurring themes of fertility, abundance, and new beginnings are often present in rabbit-inspired art and design.

Whether it’s a playful cartoon rabbit or an intricate sculpture of a white rabbit, art featuring rabbits often evokes joy, innocence, playfulness, and hope. Rabbit motifs can be seen in paintings, sculptures, clothing, textile designs, jewelry, and more. Parting Thoughts In conclusion, rabbit symbolism is a fascinating concept that can inspire us to explore our inner world of mystery and knowledge. Whether connected to fertility or bringing luck, rabbits can be incredibly meaningful symbols in many different contexts.

From the tangible benefits, such as enhanced agriculture and medicine, to the intangible power of creativity and insight, understanding the rich symbolism associated with rabbits can serve as an important reminder of their presence in our lives. Understanding rabbit symbolism has many applications, all of which have something unique regarding growth, understanding and self-improvement.

All-in-all, connecting with these little creatures’ symbolism can be a powerful way to help us move through life with confidence and curiosity! : A Comprehensive Guide to Rabbit Symbolism: Everything You Need to Know — Palos Verdes Pulse

What is the symbol of Jesus?

cross, the principal symbol of the Christian religion, recalling the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ and the redeeming benefits of his Passion and death. The cross is thus a sign both of Christ himself and of the faith of Christians. In ceremonial usage, making a sign of the cross may be, according to the context, an act of profession of faith, a prayer, a dedication, or a benediction,

• There are four basic types of iconographic representations of the cross: the crux quadrata, or Greek cross, with four equal arms; the crux immissa, or Latin cross, whose base stem is longer than the other three arms; the crux commissa, in the form of the Greek letter tau, sometimes called St.
• Anthony’s cross ; and the crux decussata, named from the Roman decussis, or symbol of the numeral 10, also known as St.

Andrew’s cross for the supposed manner of the martyrdom of St. Andrew the Apostle, Tradition favours the crux immissa as that on which Christ died, but some believe that it was a crux commissa. The many variations and ornamentations of processional, altar, and heraldic crosses, of carved and painted crosses in churches, graveyards, and elsewhere, are developments of these four types. Britannica Quiz Christianity Quiz Cross forms were used as symbols, religious or otherwise, long before the Christian Era, but it is not always clear whether they were simply marks of identification or possession or were significant for belief and worship.

Two pre-Christian cross forms have had some vogue in Christian usage. The ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol of life—the ankh, a tau cross surmounted by a loop and known as crux ansata —was adopted and extensively used on Coptic Christian monuments. The swastika, called crux gammata, composed of four Greek capitals of the letter gamma, is marked on many early Christian tombs as a veiled symbol of the cross.

Before the time of the emperor Constantine in the 4th century, Christians were extremely reticent about portraying the cross because too open a display of it might expose them to ridicule or danger. After Constantine converted to Christianity, he abolished crucifixion as a death penalty and promoted, as symbols of the Christian faith, both the cross and the chi-rho monogram of the name of Christ.

1. The symbols became immensely popular in Christian art and funerary monuments from c.350.
2. For several centuries after Constantine, Christian devotion to the cross centred on the victory of Christ over the powers of evil and death, and realistic portrayal of his suffering was avoided.
3. The earliest crucifixes (crosses containing a representation of Christ) depict Christ alive, with eyes open and arms extended, his Godhead manifest, even though he is pierced and dead in his manhood.

By the 9th century, however, artists began to stress the realistic aspects of Christ’s suffering and death. Subsequently, Western portrayals of the Crucifixion, whether painted or carved, exhibited an increasing finesse in the suggestion of pain and agony.

• Romanesque crucifixes often show a royal crown upon Christ’s head, but later Gothic types replaced it with a crown of thorns.
• In the 20th century a new emphasis emerged in Roman Catholicism, especially for crucifixes in liturgical settings.
• Christ on the cross is crowned and vested as a king and priest, and the marks of his suffering are much less prominent.

After the 16th-century Protestant Reformation, the Lutherans generally retained the ornamental and ceremonial use of the cross. The Reformed churches, however, resisted such use of the cross until the 20th century, when ornamental crosses on church buildings and on communion tables began to appear.

The Church of England retained the ceremonial signing with the cross in the rite of baptism, Since the mid-19th century, Anglican churches have witnessed a revival of the use of the cross. The crucifix, however, is almost entirely confined to private devotional use. A number of Protestant churches and homes display an empty cross, without a depiction of Christ, to memorialize the Crucifixion while representing the triumphant defeat of death in the Resurrection.

See also True Cross ; crucifixion, Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. Subscribe Now The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Melissa Petruzzello,