WORDS about the WORDS

John [the Baptist] saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “ Look!TheLamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! -John 1:29 (NLT) The story of Resurrection Sundayisnotthestory of a rabbit but the story of the Lamb. Let me explain. In pre-Christian Europe, the Germanic goddess Eostre (Eastre in Old English) wascelebratedduring the spring equinox. Eostre, is a fertility goddess, with symbols of reproduction such as rabbits and eggs linked to this goddess. Springtime feasting, frolicking, andfornicationwas a big part of the worship of this goddess.

But there was a darker side to Eostre worship as well, including the sacrifice of animals and even humans, the blood of which was poured out on the ground to appease the goddess and ensure a good harvest, fertility, and life. The name Easter comes from this goddess and many of the same symbols have continued to be associated with this day including the rabbit (the Easter bunny).

Compare that with the celebration of the Resurrection. Our celebration of the resurrection of Jesus is not centered on our sacrificing to a god or goddess for a productive harvest or family fertility, rather it celebrates the fact that through Jesus Christ we have obtained new life, life free from sin and death through the power of God in the resurrection. All of this is possible through the Lamb, through Jesus who willingly gave Himself up for our sake.

No amount of sacrifice, no amount of the shedding of blood by mortals could ever atone for sin, which leads to death and the grave, only the blood of Christ was able to do that. As Peter writes, “ For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT) We are saved by the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ and not the rabbit.

So, when you hear me refer to the day we celebrate our deliverance from sin, death, and the graveasResurrectionSunday and not Easter, it is a way of reminding myself, as well as others, that we are saved by the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world and not no Easter bunny!