Today, commitment, expressions of Spirit, and the celebration of Easter are in view. Many will acknowledge Jesus Christ this “Good Friday” as a day of both joyful celebration and somber observances that include foot-washing (called the “Ordinance of Humility”). The Holy Week begun on what we call “Palm Sunday” did not end or finish with the crucifixion of Jesus. Correctly understood, the conclusion of Holy Week is “Resurrection Sunday.” Men are to apprehend that GOD is a spirit who is to be worshiped “in spirit and in truth.” Jesus would die on the cross as a passover lamb and the “ram caught in the thicket” who is the heir to Abraham. He would be raised from the grave as the High Priest of the Temple in heaven to complete atonement, and as the One to oversee and conclude the tribunals of final judgment. The work of his appearance in flesh (we say, the Incarnation) and his divine visitation to the earth was not so much to establish Israel, any other nation, or a new geopolitical state as to demonstrate the kingdom of GOD is a specific lifestyle, and a spiritual condition wherein all created beings and living creatures might have access to a personal relationship with divinity characterized by forgiveness, mercy and divine grace that now are to ever be an ongoing and permanent aspect of duration. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “Anonymous” (no profile information shared) posted the following:
Is it a obligation for a Christian to celebrate Easter?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: And when he was come nigh, even now at the descent of the mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works that they had seen; Saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest. And some of the Pharisees from among the multitude said unto him, Master, rebuke thy disciples. And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out. (Luke 19: 37-40, King James Version, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Benefits of His Kingdom? (04/11/2017); Differences Among Sacred Events (04/10/2017); Hosanna In The Highest (04/09/2017); The Extravagance of Love? (04/02/2017); Frequency of The Lord’s Supper? (10/30/2016); The Purpose of Resurrection (07/05/2016); The Cross and Resurrection Sunday? (03/16/2016)
“Anonymous”, the Holy Week associated with salvation is like that for the Creation. Thus, for many Christians Easter is no longer marked by carnal, material, or social features; and is respected as a season set apart by the active presence and operations of GOD. Just as in their daily routines, believers are to discern and display the Holy Spirit (we also say, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Prophecy, the Spirit of Truth), inseparable aspects from the makeup of GOD now should be visible including faith, holiness, hope, joy, longsuffering, lovingkindness, meekness, wisdom, and wrath against sin. Mature Christian believers will continue observances that acknowledge sacred events (some say, mysteries) from the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. Included are his birth, baptism, sanctification and temptation in the wilderness, his consecration and transfiguration, his death on the cross, his resurrection, and his return to heaven by ascension. While Jesus appeared primarily to reveal the image of GOD the Father, the Savior also was to depict mankind as the sons of Adam, and Israel as a covenant partner of divinity. Christ would transform the old feasts and remembrances that over millennia sometimes had been replaced by the golden calf and idol worship, forgotten, and corrupted through exaggerated pride and worldliness. The Son of the Most High would provide a new testament in his blood. Because these sacred events demonstrate and further encourage trust that the promises from GOD are truly being fulfilled, believers embrace their memorial as opportunities to express toward divinity increasing gratitude, great joy, and heartfelt love. Even so, acknowledgment and response are made more on the basis of commitment, divine process to establish eternal life, and intimate relationship than the basis of commandment, discipline, obedience to sacred law, or tradition requiring annual feasts and festivals. Consider the following that uses language from the Bible:
(1.) 1st Corinthians 15: 21-24, King James Version (KJV): 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
(2.) 1st Corinthians 5: 6-8, KJV: 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
(3.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Luke 22: 15-20, KJV: 15 And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer: 16 For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God. 17 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, Take this, and divide it among yourselves: 18 For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. 19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. 20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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