LETS CELEBRATE SUNDAY , IT IS THE LORD’S PARTY Matthew 16:18
THE HISTORY OF EASTER CELEBRATION
People all over the universe celebrated Easter. Many planned trips to be with family to remember the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His resurrection changed the world forever
At first glance, you would think that this day called Easter began with our Savior resurrection. I did some Bible research and discovered that the
Easter celebration began the night before Moses led the Israelites our
Slavery in Egypt to freedom in the desert.
Ex 12:26-27
Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ 27 And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.'” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped. The Hebrew word for Passover is pecach, It was a victim celebration
When Jesus said as often as you eat the bread and drink the wine.;That is to celebrate the passover. The Greek word for passover is pascha translated into English is Easter. It is a victory celebration
To understand the Jewish names of the days of the week in Scripture, consider the pattern of days established by the Father during creation in Genesis. In Greek the names are as follows
Sunday – Yom Rishon (First Day)
Monday – Yom Sheni (Second Day)
Tuesday – Yom Shlishi (Third Day)
Wednesday – Yom Revi’i (Fourth Day)
Thursday – Yom Chamishi (Fifth Day)
Friday – Yom Shishi (Sixth Day)
Saturday – Yom Shabbat (Sabbath Day, Day seven)
This is important because the Jews under the law celebrate the seventh day as their Holy Day. Christians celebrate the first day of the as our Holy Day
Gen 2:2 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested from all his work which he had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it he rested from all his work which God had created and made.
The first day God separated light from darkness. The light he called day
Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, one day.
In Hebrew day oue is Yom echad
A PRELUDE TO JESUS MISSION
On Friday the day of Jesus trial, the crowd was given a choice to
Release Jesus or Barabbas. Jesus was found incident by Pilot
The Roman ruler. Barabbas was guilty of the crime of murder
The crowd chose to release Barabbas. A prelude to Jesus mission
Barabbas was a notorious prisoner, known for insurrection and murder.
The choice to release Barabbas over Jesus highlights the crowd’s rejection of Jesus.
This event fulfills the prophecy of the Messiah’s suffering and sacrifice.
It symbolizes the concept of substitutionary atonement—Jesus takes the place of sinners.
The decision reflects the political pressures of the Jewish religious leaders faced by Pilate in maintaining order.
Barabbas’ release serves as a powerful contrast to Jesus’ innocence and ultimate sacrifice.
THIS IS WHAT JESUS DID FOR YOU AND ME
HE TO OUR PLACE
SIGNIFICANCE OF HOLY SATURDAY
Jesus was crucified on Friday Yom Shishi (Sixth Day). His body laid in the grave all day Saturday – Yom Shabbat (Sabbath Day), now called Holy Saturday.
1. Fulfillment of Prophecy: Psalm 16:10 declares, “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; nor will You let Your Holy One see decay.” Interpreted through the New Testament lens (Acts 2:27; 13:35), this passage is seen as fulfilled in Jesus, who truly died yet did not remain in the grave Holy Saturday underscores His true death and the waiting period before His resurrection powerfully demonstrates the triumph over the corruption of death.
2. A Day of Rest and Waiting: The observance of the Sabbath rest, described explicitly in Luke 23:56, highlights a profound moment of stillness within salvation history. This day of seeming inactivity-Jesus’s body lying in silence-emphasizes that redemptive work was entirely accomplished by divine intervention, rather than human effort.
3. Hope in the Silence: Holy Saturday exemplifies the tension between despair and hope. Even though Jesus had clearly foretold that He would rise again (Mark 9:31), His followers struggled with confusion and sorrow. This moment reminds many that God is at work even when circumstances appear bleak, foreshadowing the vindication of Jesus on Resurrection morning.
THE RESURRECTION CHANGED THE HOLY WEEK
Gen 1:24 And on the seventh day God finished his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. Day seven in Hebrew is Shebiy’iy yown or Sabbath
After the death of Jesus day one is the day Jesus rested from His work on earth. It is day one that changed the world forever. It is the day Jesus was resurrected from the dead.
Day one of Creation is the day God created light
Day one is the day Jesus arose from the grave which is the day Christian’s celebrate. We call day one Sunday
The greek word for passover is pascha in English is Easter, It is the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies
Ps 16:10-11 HIS RESURRECTION
10 For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave. 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.
Jesus established the significance of the Passover (Easter) celebration
Matt 26:18 And he(Jesus) said, Go into the city to such a man, and say unto him, The Teacher saith, My time is at hand; I keep the passover at thy house with my disciples. The correct English translation; Jesus said I will keep Easter with my disciples.
The name Sunday has a Latin origin around 700 AD, dies soilis, day of the Sun, The week order was changed from Saturday as the holy day to Sunday for believers. From day 7 to day 1
THE ESTABLISH CHURCH
The word church was assigned by Jesus as the name for the Christian assembly.
Matt 16:18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
The Greek word for church is ekklesia (assemble of believers)
This was the fulfilment of Old Testament prophecies
Ps 118:22 22 The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. 23 This is Jehovah’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
24 This is the day which Jehovah hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.
The church celebrates day one of creation in honor of Jesus resurrection
On Sunday the tomb was open not for us to go in but to look in and see it was empty. The proof of Jesus’s resurrection
Jesus resurrection is the true passover or Easter for all believers which the
Church celebrates on Sunday. It is the day believers change from death to eternal life. However every Sunday is an Easter celebration
GOD USES THE FLESHLY MIND OF MAN TO REMIND US OF EASTER
The celebration continued with Jesus disciples through evil intent of the Romans leader,
Acts 12:4 And when he had taken him (Peter), he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover (pascha, Easter) to bring him forth to the people.
Even the ungodly celebrate Easter for reasons that have nothing to do with Jesus. The shopping centers remind us of Easter. Multi media ads remind us of Easter. Those who sell candy remind us of Easter.
CHRISTIANS MUST SET THE EXAMPLE OF THE TRUE CELEBRATION
The Apostles set the example of celebrating Easter wherever they proclaim the Gospel.
Acts 20:7 And upon the first day of the week, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul discoursed with them, intending to depart on the morrow; and prolonged his speech until midnight.
REASON WHY SUNDAY IS A DAY OF CELEBRATION
JESUS BECAME THE CORNER STONE
Ps 118:22 The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner. 23 This is Jehovah’s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes.
IT IS AN EASTER (PASSOVER) CELEBRATION WITH JESUS
1 Cor 11:26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink the cup, ye proclaim the Lord’s death till he come.
IT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE NEW COVENANT
1 Cor 11:25 “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood
IT IS THE CELEBRATION OF THE CHURCH AS A BUILDING OF FAITH
Matt 16:18 And I also say unto thee, that thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
JESUS STANDS BESIDE YOU
John 20:19 When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first (day) of the week, and when the doors were shut where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace (be) unto you.
YOU HAVE RECEIVED POWER
Acts 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was now come, they were all together in one place. Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
IT IS A TIME OF PRAYER
Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and the prayers.
IT A TIME OF RENEWAL IN THE SPIRIT
Eph 4:23 and that ye be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and put on the new man, that after God hath been created in righteousness and holiness of truth.
IT IS A TIME TO BE REMINDED OF JESUS JOY
John 15:11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy may be
in you, and (that) your joy may be made full.
IT IS A TIME TO REMEMBER THE PEACE OF JESUS
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus.
IT IS A TIME TO COMMIT TO GOOD WORKS
Matt 5:16 Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
ITS A TIME TO WORSHIP THE LORD
1 Cor 14:25 the secrets of his heart are made manifest; and so he will fall down on his face and worship God, declaring that God is among you indeed.
IT IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE OUR LIFE WITH JESUS
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.
SUNDAY IS PARTY FOR THE LORD
