More than 2 billion Christians worldwide celebrated Easter on Sunday. While Easter was once a pagan festival of the spring season celebrating the newness of life as witnessed by nature emerging from the dormancy of winter, Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his resurrection as the cause to celebrate new life.
Through historical analysis of ancient events and a comparison of the writings of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - the accuracy of the Christian account of Jesus' crucifixion (a cruel method of death for criminals of the ancient day) has been validated.
Robin SmithUsing firsthand accounts of men who walked with Jesus during his ministry and other facts of the day, such as references outside of Scripture to the high priesthood of Caiaphas, the governorship of Pontius Pilate and the reign of Tiberius Caesar (the stepson and successor to Rome's emperor, Augustus Caesar), the date of Christ's crucifixion has been narrowed to Friday, April 7, A.D. 30, or Friday, April 3, A.D. 33. Further examination of accounts of the ministry of Jesus along with a geological study reference in the DailyMail.com that records an earthquake's occurrence in the region of Jerusalem fit the latter date of April 3, A.D. 33.
Fun with forensics, right?
But, history shouldn't be the only indication that billions of men, women and children observe a belief based on holiness, love, grace, righteousness, mercy and forgiveness. The Christian faith might be summed up as a holy, mighty God, father and creator loving his creation so much that he chose to make a way to atone for our sins, our moral wrongs, due to his righteous nature.
That atonement or redemption came through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ that was offered in love, grace and mercy. Indeed, the Christian faith is founded on immeasurable love and grace demonstrated by the crucifixion of God's blameless son, Jesus, on Good Friday. But the power of God through the resurrection and the ascension to heaven of Christ also was witnessed and recorded from accounts of the empty tomb, the period of time following the resurrection when Jesus was alive, and the hundreds, including 11 of the disciples and his mother, Mary, who witnessed his ascension, or transfer to another heaven.
A.D.ding to history's accounts, along with religious texts, the lives of Christians today, an estimated 1,985 years later, should reflect the hope of the first Easter - the death to a sinful life, the transformation due to the power of love offered by a righteous God to reconcile his created to him, and the unexplainable difference that can occur in us as we live in the metaphorical "fourth day" following the third day of the resurrection.
Politically correct? Nope. Completely explained through rational thought as defined by the intellect of man? Not at all. Yet, the facts of history mixed with the ongoing accounts of the Divine establish a very real faith born from the old covenant of Judaism and the new covenant of redemption and observed and lived by those who are Christian, or followers of Christ. Note, I didn't say those who are perfect or sinless.
Today's fourth day is a choice for all. Living changed lives best celebrates yesterday's Easter.
Robin Smith, a former chairwoman of the Tennessee Republican Party, owns Rivers Edge Alliance.