There is great controversy over the name of Easter.  Several resources, refer to Easter back to the 2nd century.  There is a problem with that, namely that Easter is an Anglo – Saxon term that was not used until the late part of the 6th century (that would be Britain).  The English language was not solidified until 1645 AD.

 

According to internet sources, that I can not verify, Easter was celebrated in the 2nd century.  The early Church Fathers, do not mention the practice of Easter or the celebration of Resurrection Sunday.

 

So why is this celebrated?  The modern day reason is for the Resurrected Lord.  To remember that the tomb is empty and Jesus is alive.  Thus the Holy Week, Good Friday, and others.

 

I am no way down playing these practices.  Many perform the observances to help their growth in faith.  That is great as long as that is the reason and not another.

 

Yet remember, the early followers of Jesus did not observe these practices.  They were preparing for Jesus’ return and telling others the Good News of the Risen Lord.

 

There is much work to do to get ready for the return of the Risen Lord Jesus.  There is also a vast number of people who need to hear the Good News.

Today is known as Holy Saturday, Silent Saturday, or according to the Czech custom White Saturday.  What is so important about this day?

 

Before we start, we must look at history.  Like with the rest of Holy Week, there is no known set starting date.  Likely between 1100 and 1200 AD, these practices began.  The main reason, to help teach the common person who could not read or write about Jesus.  I am sure there are more and some not so good reasons, but I tend to like this reason. 

 

Holy Saturday practices begin Friday evening with the burial of Jesus.  According to one’s denomination, fasting, prayer, silence, and the lighting of candles are observed.   The practices end Sunday morning with the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus from the grave.

 

Holy Saturday also marks the end of Lent for all denominations.

 

Again, for those who observe these practices, my prayer is that it brings you closer to the Messiah.

 

The first century church (2nd and 3rd century) did not observe any of these practices.  Their main focus was spreading the Good News and getting ready for the return of Jesus.  Are you ready?

Is this just another Friday?  What makes this special?  Today is the celebration/remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ. Several denominations observe this day because of the death of Jesus.  Some call it Good Friday (several Protestant beliefs, Roman Catholic Church), while others call it Great Friday (Greek Orthodox).  This day is to call attention to the sacrifice of Christ.  Many denominations have a three hour Suffering service, which symbolizes the time of Christ upon the cross and the darkness that covered the earth.

 

Several denominations will walk the stations of the cross.  The stations of the cross are pictures of different times of Christ suffering.  This practice began during the 15th to 16 century, when people were not allowed by the Muslims to pilgrimage to Jerusalem.  The Franciscans built several outdoor pictures to duplicate their counterparts in the Holy Land.  Also, since many could not read, they again were used as teaching tools to help the common person understand the significance of the death of Jesus.

 

This is a day of fasting, weeping, re-enactments, suffering services, and to those who do the old practices the covering of the “scared objects” with black cloth. 

 

With that said, it should be noted, that this practices were started long after the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.  The early believers were about spreading the Good News of Jesus and getting prepared for His return.  The death on the cross gave them life.  It was that life they shared with joy and sometimes suffering.

 

If you celebrate this day, do so in the fashion of coming closer to the Lord and leaving with the urgency of sharing the Good News.  For the cross is empty.  The tomb is empty.  Jesus is alive and reigning King.  He will return.

 

 

Today is Maunday Thursday.  Now what is that?  Today is the day in which many denominations celebrate the Last Supper, foot washing, and forgiving others.  Maundy is a Latin word which means commandment.  The commandment in which is associated with this day is found in John 13:34 which reads, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

 

Background is needed before the origin of this day is explained.  After the Roman Empire fell around 476 AD, the world was thrown into a time that is called in history as the Dark Ages.  During the Dark Ages, there was no educational system, disease ran uncheck with 1/3 of the worlds population dying during the Black Plague, most of the population was slaves, and few lived past the age of 35.  The “church” controlled all the kings and queens as well as the general population.

 

However, in the Roman Catholic Church were a few priests who loved Jesus.  They used every available means to teach their people about Jesus, even though they were only allowed to speak in Latin.  Thus, came the Holy Week.  During Palm Sunday the children were allowed to wave tree branches and re-enact the entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  The Last Supper was also re-enacted and explained on Thursday.   The priests would take their time and explain each aspect of the Lord’s Supper and its meaning to their people. 

 

Later, some priests would be chastised for their efforts.  This did not stop them.  After many years, the Roman Catholic Church adopted these practices and added more.  What we see today came from some priests who wanted their people to know Jesus.

 

That is the legend.  There is little documentation until 1100 AD.  The practice is not full recognized until after 1200 AD.

 

The early church did not practice the events that we do today.  Every Sunday was Resurrection Sunday and the Lord’s Supper.  I would say this.  If you practice this day, do it for the edification of Jesus.  Forgive as Jesus forgave you.  Sacrifice as Jesus sacrificed for you.  Serve as Jesus sat the example and served the Father.  Grow closer to the Lord.

Many people ask, why I do not put much effort into the “Christian” holidays, such as Christmas, Easter, Good Friday, etc.  One of the main reasons I do not is because many if not all are not Biblical.  Take for instance, the wearing of the cross (jewelry).  Everyone wears one, even criminals, rap artists, homosexuals, you get the idea.

 

Where did the cross jewelry idea come from?  Ever thought of it?  It is a good thing to wear right? 

 

In 300 to 312 AD, Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire, mother took a trip to Jerusalem.  Her goal was to find the cross on which Jesus was crucified.  She searched throughout the region of what was once Judea, until she found a man who claimed to own the cross beam on which Jesus died.  She bought it and returned to Constantine.  In 312 AD, Constantine gave his life to Christ and over night, the whole Roman empire became Christian.  They were wearing the newest in fashion, a wooden cross.

 

Pretty neat story.  There are several problems with it.  First, if you have worked with wood, you know that wood starts to rot when cut down.  Termites, fungus, humility, and various other factors create an environment in which the wood begins to decay.  Over time (shorter than 250 years) it is gone to dust.  Therefore, Constantine’s mother was taken advantage of by a con artist.  Yes, they had them back then.

 

Even back in the time of Constantine, there was political correctness.  When he became a “Christian,” everyone else had to as well.  Over night by involuntary conversion, everyone in the Roman Empire became a “Christian.”  Many because they wanted to stay alive.

 

Before this event, the followers of Jesus Christ did not worry about jewelry or even the cross as an ornament.  Their main concern was sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ and being ready for His return.

 

A lot has changed, would you say?

 

 

 

There is change every where.  The weather changes (wait five minutes).   The news changes (fake or real).  Gas prices change (ouch).  Nothing seems to stay the same.

 

Peter states that those who follow Jesus are always in the state of changing.  We are changing because of sanctification.  It is a long word which means making different or making holy.  When we start following Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters our life at baptism and starts changing our lives to reflect Jesus.  There is submission to the changes, but there will always be changes.  This is good.

 

For those who follow Jesus, we want the Spirit to change us into the image of Christ.  For one day we will stand before the Father in judgment and our desire is that the Father sees Jesus in us.

When Peter begins his letter, he mentions to those exiles the work of God through Jesus Christ.  By the obedience of Jesus Christ, we have life.  What obedience you might say?  The obedience of dying on the cross, shedding His blood for our sins.

 

We talk about the love that is shown on the cross.  This is true.  However we often overlook that the cross is also an act of obedience by Jesus.  Obedience is a dirty word in our society because of the idea of slavery.  In this case, obedience by Jesus was voluntary.  He choose to go to the cross to please the Father.

 

Obedience is demanded by God, if we are to follow Him.  It is not an option, an good idea, or a great suggestion.  If we choose to follow Jesus, we will walk in the footsteps of obedience.  To obey is better than sacrifice.

In I Peter we read these words written by the apostle: “Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens scattered throughout….”    The word alien has also been translated as exiles.  Exiles are those individuals or group of people that are cast out of a certain geographical location, social structure, or running for their lives.

 

The question is then, why are they in the position they are in?  The answer is simple.  These individuals are different from society.  Therefore, because of their differences of belief, lifestyle, or religion, these people are the outsiders.

 

During the time of Peter, followers of Jesus were the outsiders.  Their beliefs were different from society.  They took care of the poor, feed the prisoners, cared for the widows and orphans, and followed the laws.  It was their belief in Jesus that created the problem, which them made them outcasts.

 

Today, followers of Jesus are the exiles.  The ones who do not belong.   But, this world is not our home.  This world is just a time.  So, we are the exiles.  We are the outcast, because this world is not our home.  That is coming.

I bet the title threw you off.  When people say let’s go to the boat, you might think of gambling.  This is true in most cases.  In this case, going to the boat means going away from God. 

 

Jonah was told to go to Nineveh and tell them that God will destroy them. He did not want to do this.  Destroying Nineveh was a better idea than the chance of them knowing God.  So, Jonah went down to Joppa and went down on a boat.

 

Whenever God gives you a command, there will always be a Joppa with a boat waiting to take you away.  Jonah hated the Ninevehvites so much that he would rather have God destroy them then they come to know God. 

 

What do you do when God gives you a command?  If you wish to grow closer to God, you will choose His commands no matter how difficult they may be.

Why do people stop growing?  Why do Christians stop growing?  Christians stop growing because they have stopped pursuing the heart of God.  Just that simple.  It is best illustrated in the book of Jonah.  God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and preach judgment against so that they people will repent.  Jonah takes off another direction.  Why?  Because he wanted God to destroy Nineveh.  He did not have the heart of God.  For a prophet, that is disastrous.