Celebrating Resurrection Sunday is important and it is backed up by logical reasons in the Bible.
- The doctrine of Resurrection is paramount and unique to Christianity. Affirming it publicly is absolutely necessary
No other faith/religion can claim resurrection from the dead. It is unique to Christianity and validates the Deity of Christ. Denying this denies Christianity. We have to publicly affirm and celebrate the Resurrection, so people are aware of the HOPE of our faith & HOPE of our future!
“And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ” (1 Cor 15:17-20) - Celebration originates from God.
You may think celebration and days of commemorating began in pagan cultures. But all good things originate from God. There are plenty of examples of feasts and celebrations throughout the Old Testament for various reasons. So why not celebrate the GREATEST miracle on Earth- Christ’s Resurrection?
“They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.” (Psalm 145:7)
“Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance.” (Exodus 12:14-17)
Your dead shall live; their bodies shall rise. You who dwell in the dust, awake and sing for joy! (Isaiah 26:19)
- The New Testament endorses days of celebration
The New Testament shows Christians are allowed to have special days of celebration and commemoration.
One man regards one day above another, another regards every day alike. Let each man be fully convinced in his own mind (Romans 14:5).- Christ told the parable of the Marriage Feast a celebration that lasted A WHOLE WEEK! (Matt 22:1-14).
- He attended the wedding in Cana of Galilee (John 2:1-12),
- In heaven we will celebrate the Marriage Supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:6-9).
If we celebrate marriage, we can also celebrate Easter, our Savior Rising from the dead! Just because the world twists, subverts and re-defines the meaning of celebrations, the meaning of marriage, the meaning of the rainbow, of Christmas and Easter, does not mean we will give up these God-given institutions!
4. Christianity is a religion of joy!
Of course Christianity is not a religion, we have a relationship with God. Joy is the defining characteristic of Christians. We have the best reasons to celebrate and rejoice! One of them is the Resurrection of Christ. Without it, we would be hopeless. That is why we should commemorate this special event publicly! We have public commemorations of events in our lives such as: baptism, announcing a new birth, marriage and start of a new family, so why not publicly celebrate the miracle of Easter too?
This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. (Psalm 118:24)
These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. (John 15:11)
Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens! Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his excellent greatness! Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp! (Psalm 150:1-3)