“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike…Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord.” (Romans 14.5 – 6)
According to a recent YouGov survey, 36% of the people felt that their most favorite day of the year is Christmas with Thanksgiving and Halloween ranking 2nd and 3rd. However, if you ask which day is enjoyed more than an average day, it would be Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas, Mother´s Day, and Easter all tied for third. What does all this mean? Well, it shows there is a difference between our favorite days and our enjoyable days. Notice that Thanksgiving and Christmas still rank high on both surveys. However, Easter is NOT so much a favorite day of the year. More men choose Easter as their favorite day over women. I wonder why?
I really enjoy and consider Thanksgiving as my favorite day of the year. I’m sure it has to do with special times spent with family as well as my need to be thankful for all that I’ve received from the Lord during my life. BUT, why not Easter? Although Paul uses the Romans passage to settle the issue of the faith of the weak and strong Christians, I believe we can use this passage here, too. Notice how Paul states that no matter which day you consider special…it is the Lord’s. Of course, Easter or Resurrection Day is definitely the Lord’s. I believe this may be a key reason as to why Easter is not a favorite day for many people. It celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and his defeat of sin of death. These are not topics that most people, especially non-Christians, want to talk about. Give me good ol’ chocolate bunny and forget my sin and death!
Our society has tried to cover up its meaning with the Easter bunny, eggs, baskets, and the older Easter Day parade, but it can’t wipe out Easter’s true purpose. In this same section of Romans 14, Paul goes on to write, ”For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that He might be the Lord of both the living and the dead.” (v. 5) Wow! I don’t think the chocolate bunny can overcome that victory.
As we celebrate Easter this year, let’s begin making it our favorite day of the year as well as the one we most enjoy. I sincerely believe by doing this we will not miss its importance.
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle