"The Shepherds Way" E.W.King: Easter and Pascha for Ancient Antiochene Christians (TSW)

Friday, April 2, 2021

Easter and Pascha for Ancient Antiochene Christians (TSW)

By Eric William King

Many Christians keep the Traditional Christian Holidays. In Romans ch.14 Apostle Paul informs Christians that if they wish to keep a special day for the Lord that it is okay as long as it does not become a legalistic practice. The Christian Holidays are important for Christians in a much different way than they are understood by the fallen world.

The Holy Calendar reflects the life of Jesus Christ and keeps the church members constantly focusing on their faith. The seasons between the Holy Days have Scripture readings for all saints so that they may continue their meditations focusing on Christ.

The Holy Days keep us focused on Jesus and help to keep us from being overly occupied with life’s constant preoccupations. So we are approaching Easter and Pascha (Passover) this year in 2021 and these two points on our liturgical calendar are most important. Number one, these holidays remind us that we serve a Living God. We remember the resurrection of our Lord and we also remember the establishment of the Lord’s Supper [Eucharist – “thanksgiving”]. Jesus gave us the new understanding of the Passover meal and established it as a reminder of His presence in our daily lives.

The Eucharist is not “merely an empty memorial, instituted only for the purpose of remembering the sufferings and death of Christ.” (St. Martin Luther) It is in fact a supernatural fellowship not only with the rest of the saints but with Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is of course always with His true saints but comes to us in a very special way through Holy Communion. Communion is also a confirmation of our needed forgiveness, wherever the Body and Blood of Christ is there is also forgiveness.

This Easter it is my hope that you would remember the miracle of Yeshua [Jesus] and experience His life in a new and special way. Christian Holidays are holy meetings with our Lord and the rest of His church and let us never forget that.

“Today He who hung the earth upon the waters is hung on a Tree.

The King of the angels is decked with a crown of thorns.

He who wraps the heavens in clouds is wrapped in false purple.

He who freed Adam in the Jordan accepts buffeting.

The Bridegroom of the Church is affixed to the Cross with nails.

The Son of the Virgin is pierced by a spear.

We venerate Thy passion, O Christ.

Show us also Thy glorious Resurrection.”

We serve a Holy God.

By Eric William King (April 2^nd 2021)

Visit past Easter post: "Happy Easter from The Shepherds Way & Nugget of Truth"