What Follows “Easter”?
As Patrick Barber explained on “Easter” Sunday the early church was not into annual celebrations such as Christmas, Easter, etc. That which is traditionally observed on Easter was observed by them each first day of the week and so should we. I have put the word in quotes because Easter does not occur in our English Bibles except in the KJV [mis]translation of Acts 12:4 where king Herod, having killed James, resolves to kill imprisoned Peter after pascha. The correct translation is Passover. Nevertheless, we still have annual Easters.
In Jewish celebrations Passover is followed by Pentecost, fifty days later. Luke’s narrative report Jesus’s words to his disciples that what follows resurrection Sunday is “that repentance and remission of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all the nations beginning from Jerusalem” (Lk. 24:46-49). They are to wait for the promise of the Father. On Pentecost the promised Holy Spirit comes. Peter proclaims that the death and resurrection of Jesus means he is Lord Messiah. Believers are commanded to repent and be baptized for remission of sins. They are promised the Holy Spirit. They are added to the church. These events should follow every “Easter” whether observed weekly or annually.
Last Sunday three believers from the Chinese Christian Fellowship were immersed. One young lady explained what was to follow in her life. Formerly she had been full of fears and resentments. Now she was resolved to be a faithful member of her new community and to tell as many as she could about Jesus. What a wonderful way to follow Easter!
Patrick’s Easter sermon was the reading of Matt. 27:27-28:20. Resurrection Sunday is very important. He followed Matthew’s resurrection Sunday with Rev. 1:4-8. If we believe Jesus the Faithful Witness and follow him, all of us become priests of God who are tasked to (1) sacrifice for someone, (2) pray for her/him, and (3) have a lesson to teach as our faithful witness that follows “Easter” whether observed annually or weekly. Resurrection is that important.
—Tom Yoakum