Easter holiday, fun and rejoicing

The followers of Jeshua, or Jesus Christ like he is known better today, had not an easy life. For sure their way of life and adventures may give enough material to make an interesting film.

For many Christians the Apostle Peter is an important figure. They like to see in him the leader, though he was not, of the first Christian community. That community of followers of Jesus had their eyes opened by their master teacher, who got to see them they had to take on an other way of life than the majority of those Roman times.

The Romans were very well known for their capability to bring entertainment for the majority. “Bread and games” was the motto. Today, more than ever before, people, especially the young, love to enjoy themselves. Looking for means of enjoyment is the pre-occupation of what is called “the western world”. They seek situations in which they can have fun, play games, watch shows and much more. Planning for weekends and holidays are special times to rejoice.

These days we do have the “Easter holiday” which many take to be the holiday after Easter Sunday representing the resurrection of Jesus and even more the fun of the search for hidden chocolate eggs.

Real Christians should really celebrate 14 Nisan, which this year happened to be the same weekend, namely Friday night until Saturday sunset. Further is there the 15th of Nisan which did fall this year together with the Roman Catholic and some protestant churches their ‘Easter‘.

The Catholic countries having Easter-holiday made lots of people leaving their own country to go looking for the sun or the snow for a week up to two weeks. Pleasure of the swimming pool or beach or the snowboarding and après-ski parties is what brings them in higher spheres.

Instead of rejoicing in the resurrection of Christ their minds are on all other things.

Others who love God and who love Jesus have other priorities. Insofar as they share in Christ’s sufferings, perhaps also live in difficult times; they are not surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon them to test them. Even with such difficulties facing us we can rejoice. These days we even are more glad and willing to share our happiness and our hope. Yes we are glad when Jesus his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12,13).

1Pe 4:12-14 The Scriptures 1998+ (12) Beloved ones, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that is coming upon you, to try you, as though some unusual matter has befallen you, (13) but as you share Messiah’s sufferings,1 rejoice, in order that you might rejoice exultingly at the revelation of His esteem. Footnote: 1Rom. 8:17, 2 Cor. 1:5, Philip 3:10. (14) If you are reproached for the Name of Messiah, you are blessed, because the Spirit of esteem and of Elohim rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is praised.

In the ‘Thought for the day’ by the Christadelphian magazine there is looked at the rejoicing of the non-believers and of the believers in God.

Our thoughts on this were sparked by the number of times Paul uses the word “rejoice” in his letter to the Philippians. What kind of rejoicing is he writing about? It is a contrast to most of the rejoicing, which happens today.

Before this article you could read the article ‘Not my will, but thine be done‘ and the readings of April the 8th about Paul sending back to Philippi a brother from there who had been with Paul and he had been

“ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, but not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow on sorrow. I am the more eager to send him therefore that you may rejoice at seeing him again” (Philippians 2:27,28). That is a good reason for rejoicing.

Philippians 3 starts with,

“Finally my brothers, rejoice in the Lord”.

We can ask, rejoice about what? From when Paul was converted many troubles came into his life but, but he writes,

“I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think in this way … let us hold true to what we have attained” (Philippians 3:8,13-16).

In all these things Paul rejoices, summing up this attitude in his final chapter,

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).

In writing to the Romans he put it in just 3 words,

“Rejoice in hope” (Romans 12:12).

But what hope is this? Peter answers this question. He writes of

“salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice” (1 Peter 1:5,6).

But Peter lived in difficult times and this could soon be our situation, if it is not so already, so note his words,

“do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you … but rejoice insofar as you share in Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed” (1 Peter 4:12,13). (The Christadelphian Thought for the day)

Preceding article: Not my will, but thine be done

Additional reading:

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Holy Saturday:Nourish Hope in Times of Despair (holycrossrumson.typepad.com)
If we take time not to rush to Easter right after Good Friday, our momentary dwelling with the disciples and Mary in their time of disillusionment and fear can help us cope with those feelings in our lives throughout the year.
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The disciples didn’t understand that the joy of the Resurrection was only moments away. Peter, at least by the time of one of Jesus’ post-resurrection appearances had gone back to fishing.
Easter is the reason for our faith (williamstipp.com)
Easter is really the point of our Christian faith. We say at Christmas that we should remember the reason for the season but Easter is the whole point. As Christians, we have nothing without Easter Sunday. So, I’m going to write this week’s devotion a little, okay a lot, differently. I want to focus on the whole message of what the third day really represents and start with a prayer first: