Every year around the celebration of our Lord’s resurrection I am asked “Why don’t we have Easter Egg hunts anymore?”or “Why do you wish me a Happy Resurrection Sunday instead of Easter Sunday?” or “Why don’t we decorate the church with Easter baskets and bunnies?”
First, let me say that as a child in an unsaved household, I used to look forward to the Sunday mornings when my sister and I would wake up and run into the kitchen to find our baskets wrapped in clear-colored plastic (the advent of saran wrap) with the green plastic grass and hollow chocolate bunnies and eggs inside. I used to look forward to going to the local church with my best friend and take part in the Easter Egg Hunts that were held there every year. I didn’t know any better . . . after all, the local church was hosting this event?
I got saved in September of 1984. I realized that I was a sinner and I needed a Saviour and confessed Jesus as my Lord. Since that fateful night, the evidence of who God is has led me to the place where I serve today. Don’t get me wrong, there are many great teachers out there that are led of the Lord . . . I just had to search out the evidence myself. What I found shocked me.
Before I go further, read what Paul wrote to the Church in Galatia, “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? (Gal. 4:16).
What you are about to read is based on Scripture:
Jesus lived about 33 years and died on a cross for yours and my sin penalty.
Jesus was buried in a borrowed tomb not far from the place of the crucifixion.
Jesus arose bodily three days later in resurrection power and glory.
Forty days later, Jesus ascended to the Father and sits at His right hand today interceding for the saints.
Now, just after reading this . . . where do we find Easter baskets, bunnies or eggs?
I couldn’t find them either.
I could however wax poetic about how, basically, almost every vile, profane and idolatrous practice you can think of originated at Babel with Queen Easter/Ishtar (Semiramis), the Mother Goddess and Nimrod. As the people scattered from Babel with their different languages, they, of course, used different names for Nimrod (Tammuz) and Semiramis. Some called the Mother Goddess “ISHTAR” (originally pronounced “Easter”). In other lands, she was called Eostre, Astarte, Ostera, and Eastre. Other names for Semiramis, the Mother Goddess include: Wife of Baal, Ashtaroth or Ashtoreth, and Queen of Heaven. The Mother goddess was frequently worshipped as the goddess of fertility—and as a sort of Mother Nature and goddess of Spring and sexual love and birth. She was also worshipped as a mediator between god and man. Sexual orgies and temple prostitutes were often used in her worship and in attempting to gain her favor. Rabbits and eggs were used to worship these pagan deities as they are symbols of fertility.
Search the internet and you will find as many sites that will deny Easter/Ishtar has anything to do with the Easter holiday as give evidence that Easter/Ishtar is the basis of what we celebrate today. My question is this, “How does using Easter baskets, bunnies and eggs lead a lost soul to the throne of Grace?”
Throughout the ages, man has been practicing replacement theology when it suited him. Stay with me on this, you see a person convicted of their sin and you want to make them feel better so you say something like, “That’s okay, everyone does that, you’ll feel better soon.” What have you done? You’ve made that person comfortable in their sin. You’ve replaced the convicting power of the Holy Spirit with empty words of hope that lead to no hope. The same instance could have been handled by asking the person if they have brought these things to God and if they haven’t or don’t know Him . . . make the introductions. If this soul confesses Jesus as Lord, you have been a witness to saving a soul from hell. You didn’t replace their morning or angst with a false hope of comfort but gave a reason for the hope that is within you with meekness and fear.
God’s Word needs no help from Baskets of eggs delivered from an imaginary rabbit. As a matter of fact, it’s confusing. One day, as a parent, you will have to explain why you thought it was okay to tell your kids and/or grandkids about a rabbit’s nightly visits instead of a real Saviour’s visit to bring the greatest gift of all.
My Father asked, “Whom shall I send?” This servant answered, “Here am I Lord, send me,” and He has been faithful to allow His child to serve to shepherd the flock at Lake Drummond Baptist Church. The Pastor serves as the under-shepherd as Christ Jesus is the Head of this body of Christ. What kind of shepherd would the Pastor be if he preached Truth from God’s Holy Word and lied to the children to make them feel good about the candy they received on “Easter” Sunday.
Back in 2009, Dan Lietha illustrated a picture for the After Eden series with Answers in Genesis. It speaks for itself. More people today know of the Easter Bunny than have a saving knowledge of who Jesus is.
We cannot deny our Lord for feel good illusions, for this is truth!
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. [John 14:6]
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [1 Corinthians 15:1]
By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [1 Corinthians 15:2]
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [1 Corinthians 15:3]
And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [1 Corinthians 15:4]
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [Romans 10:9]
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [Romans 10:10]
If you believe and confess what is underlined . . . you shall be saved.
This is truth.
Don’t let the rabbit get in your way.