Passover or Easter? Which Is It?

A number of friends and colleagues have had this discussion for a long time now – Should we really be celebrating Easter, given its origins?

Personally, I don’t celebrate Easter. I don’t call it “Resurrection Sunday” either – this is a name that Protestant ministers have given it to shed the guilt of the pagan origins of the day. As a Messianic Jew – I celebrate the Passover, as biblically, this is when Christ was crucified, died, was buried, and resurrected.

I’ll explain:

Jews were not so good about recording dates of birth (that’s why the date of Jesus’ birth was never recorded), but deaths were. There is plenty of evidence in the Bible, especially in the 19th chapter of John, of when He was crucified.  One example is John 19:31:

Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. (John 19:31 ESV)

The “day of Preparation” – and there’s only one – is the day prior to Passover. On that day, the house is cleared of all “chametz” – yeast or yeast-containing products such as bread. Everyone would look in every corner, making darned sure that there was no bread or yeast in the home.  Food would be prepared for the next two days, as Passover – on whatever day it falls – is a “Shabbat” – a sabbath. No work is done on Passover. If it falls on a Wednesday – it’s a sabbath.

Jesus was crucified on Preparation Day – the day before Passover, that much is clear – not on “Good Friday”.  This is the year 2020 – and Passover falls on Wednesday, April 8. So the proper date of remembering His death would be Tuesday, April 7.

Now, referring back to John 19:31, the bodies had to be removed and buried before Passover – sundown that night – as days run from sunrise to sunset – therefore, they had to be removed in a hurry – before sunset.

Jesus remained in the grave three days according to scripture.  The typical Good Friday/Easter Sunday scenario has a little math problem there – it’s only TWO days (Saturday and Sunday). Here’s how it really happened (and in keeping with God’s commanded holidays, that we’re to keep for all time.)…

Passover is day 1

The day after Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread – where Jesus’ body did not decompose in the grave – day 2.

The day after that is the Feast of First Fruits – when God gave His First Fruit to us – His resurrected Son – day 3.

Looking at our calendar this year:

• Crucified on April 7
• In the grave on Passover, April 8
• Still in the grave, and not decomposing on the Feast of Unleavened Bread – April 9
• Arose from the grave on the Feast of First Fruits – April 10

How ironic – we’re celebrating Jesus’ resurrection on “Good Friday” this year.

How messed up the Vatican is – to force the pagan holiday of “Ishtar” (pronounced Easter) on the Christian world. Back in the 320’s AD, this was done to get the pagans converted to Christianity – Constantine, the monarch at that time, “legalized” Christianity – and this was a way to get the pagans “on board” – to them, Jesus was just another “god” – one of many.

Tammuz – the son of Ishtar, was said to have been killed by a wild boar (does “ham dinner for Easter sound familiar?) and was raised from the dead on Easter.

This is the short version – you can research the whole thing online.  You might want to start here, with this short (15 minute) video.

“But it’s only another day – remember the death, burial and resurrection of Christ,” people say. Wrong! When paganism and idolatry are introduced – which Easter is full of idolatry and paganism – God is not pleased.

Today, we see God closing our houses of worship! They will be closed on Easter – do you think this is coincidental?

Heck no! It’s not!

God said in Exodus 12:14, “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.”  When He says we keep it as a statute forever, He means FOREVER!

Passover, in the days of the Hebrew Bible – was a time of salvation.  The Israelites were “saved” from the evil Egyptians. Today, Passover is also a time of Salvation – a time where Jesus died for our sins – and by his resurrection, “saved” mankind from eternal damnation from their sins – if they only repent, and accept Him as their savior.

Today, there are many who could care less about the real meaning of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. To them, it’s about chocolate bunnies, jelly beans and the Easter Bunny.

We, human beings, of all races and nationalities, had better get things right with God.  He’s put a shot across the bow with this Coronavirus (read my previous blog post here), time is short – you’re not promised tomorrow.

Time to shed this pagan Easter thing, and celebrate your salvation correctly – Passover.

And if you still are in need of salvation, find a true, bible-believing church – contact that pastor – and ask him to help you.  Better yet, fall to your knees right now and tell God, that “I’m a sinner – and I need Your forgiveness, I need to turn from my wicked ways. Please Jesus, come into my life, and wash me whiter than snow, and clean from my heart all wickedness in there. I give my life to You. I give all that I have to You. You, Jesus, are first in my life. Thank You for saving me. Amen”

If you prayed that with sincerity of heart – you believe that He died for your sins, and rose again on the third day to give you eternal life – welcome to the family! They’re having a party in Heaven for another soul saved!

Again, you’re not promised tomorrow. If you find yourself on death’s door – where will you be? Being welcomed home to Heaven, or the depths of Hell?

It’s your choice. It’s your eternity.