Saturday, April 15th, 2023.
What’s that you say? I missed resurrection day? I’ll have to wait until next year?
Perhaps its time to start a new tradition…
Last week was celebrated by Western Christian tradition as resurrection day, but this Sunday is celebrated by Eastern Christian tradition as resurrection day. (I am neither a Western nor Eastern traditionalist, but a Bible believer.)
Historically “the first day of the week” was when Jesus was first seen resurrected from the dead (Mark 16:2; John 20:1 – the actual resurrection was before the sun rose on the first day).
This was the reason Christians would gather and meet on the first day of the week (Sunday) and not the Jewish Sabath (Saturday). They celebrated the resurrection of Christ every Sunday in gathering. So, next Sunday will be another great resurrection day celebration according to this tradition!
A better tradition to remember may be that of our apostle for this dispensation of grace when he said:
“Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel” – 2 Timothy 2:8
The gospel as revealed to the apostle Paul explains the purpose of the resurrection of Christ for the salvation of all in the church.
Yet, Paul’s gospel was not known on that first Sunday when the twelve apostles of Israel (and the ladies) first witnessed the resurrection. It was revealed later by Christ to Paul while he was on the road to Damascus (which means it was probably not a Sabbath day).
By grace, Paul taught the church not to esteem one day over another but that every day is a new day of life in Christ due to Christ’s resurrection (Rom 6:4-5). As saved members of the Body of Christ we can now know how to live the resurrected life of Christ in us every day (Col 1:27, 2:10, 3:1-4).
This is why we can say last Sunday, this Sunday, next Sunday and even today (Saturday)… Happy Resurrection Day! It’s no longer about the day, it is about the power of the resurrection each day.
For your edification,
Justin “every day raised up with Christ” Johnson