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Christians seem to disagree over the origin of the word Easter' and instead some prefer to call that particular day Resurrection Day.' Why? This day, more than Christmas, forms the basis for a Christian's faith. Jesus' birth means nothing without the crucifixion and resurrection. Without the resurrection, Jesus Christ is just another good teacher, a good man.

As a Christian, I attempt to use the term Resurrection Day' whenever possible. Some people wonder what day I mean. I know that what I am celebrating on that day is the fact that there was an empty tomb where Jesus Christ my Savior was buried after His death on the cross. According to John 19: 31-37, the Roman soldiers assured He was dead, not by breaking His legs as they did when they needed the crucified to die quicker, but by piercing His side. When they did, water and blood mingled and flowed from the puncture, a condition that would be present if His heart had ruptured.

His body remained lifeless in the tomb until the third day. In Matthew 27: 62-66, we read about the extra precautions the chief priests and Pharisees recommended and Pontius Pilate ordered. The tomb was sealed and a guard was set so that there could be no theft of the body. You see, those in authority were afraid of the words Jesus had said about Himself in the hearing of many that in three days He would rise again. They wanted a sealed tomb with a corpse to be evidence that Jesus was just another man.

His resurrection happened despite their efforts. Matthew 28: 2-4 proclaims that the angel of the Lord rolled back the stone with the guards present. The guards, Roman soldiers who were seasoned and hardened, not likely to be afraid, shook in fear and became as dead men. They would have been killed themselves if they allowed His body to disappear. His rising from the tomb is the event I celebrate on Resurrection Sunday.

I need no longer be afraid of death and the grave, for Jesus has said a more awesome thing than the one about His resurrection. He has promised to usher me into His kingdom to live with Him forever. This promise is another reason Christians choose to recognize the day as Resurrection Day. If He is alive, surely He will return again as He said.

The Puritans, in reaction to what they regarded as a day with pagan roots, did not observe the day. We Christians also celebrate His death and resurrection every time we observe the sacrament of Communion. Perhaps that is more fitting.

The word Easter' while recognized by many does not capture the same meaning. In fact, some attempt to link this word to the names Ishtar, the Babylonian Astarte, or Ashtur, a pagan goddess of fertility connected with the celebrations of the spring equinox. There is no absolute documentation on this, however.

Learn more about this author, Sandra Petersen.
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