Today is Good Friday in the Christian Religion. It is the day when Christians remember how Jesus died on the Cross outside the Jerusalem City Wall.
"And when they were come unto a place called Golgotha, that is to say, a place of a skull, they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall; and when he had tasted thereof he would not drink. And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. And sitting down they watched him there; and set up over his head his accusation written, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. Then there were two thieves crucified with him , one on the right hand, and another on the left." (Matthew Chapter 27 vs 33-38).
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On Sunday the church will celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. That first Sunday morning, when the women went to the tomb where Jesus had been hastily lain only to find the stone removed and the body missing, is celebrated. Christianity stemmed from Judaism; Jesus, himself was Jewish and the Jewish holy day or Sabbath is on a Saturday. The beginning of the Sabbath is sunset on a Friday evening and is marked by a synagogue service and meal. It is a day of complete rest and worship; no work is done. Consequently, there was a tremendous rush to pronounce Jesus dead and remove Him from the cross.
The women were anxious to anoint the body, in accordance with Jewish tradition, at the earliest opportunity. Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and other women arrived at the tomb, expecting to find it secured by a stone. Imagine their surprise, the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. Inside, a young man, wearing a white robe, spoke to them, "Do not be amazed; you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen, he is not here; see the place where they laid him. But go tell his disciples and Peter, that he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him as he told you."( Mark ,Chapter16, vs 6 & 7.)
Later, we read of several appearances by Christ to the disciples and others. The belief in the risen Christ was enough for some very frightened Jews, scared of prosecution, to become the first followers, or Christians. The Eucharist/Mass became the main service, where bread and wine were received by the congregation, in memory of the bread and wine at the last supper on the Thursday evening, and having the extra symbolic significance of the body and blood of Christ. Services were held in secret, and the early Christians identified themselves to each other, not by the cross, but a fish, after Simon Peter and his brother, Andrew, the disciples who were fishermen.
Christians remember that first Sunday morning and rejoice. It is proof, that there is an eternal, afterlife or new life. Chickens, eggs, rabbits are all symbolic of new life and new hope. However, you spend this Covid Eastertide, have a very HAPPY EASTER!
Lady M
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