EASTER - WHAT THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU

Here comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail,
Hippity hoppity,
Easter's on its way
Bringin' ev'ry girl and boy
A basketful of Easter joy
Things to make your Easter
Bright and gay
He's got jelly beans for Tommy
Colored eggs for sister Sue
There's an orchid for your mommy
And an Easter bonnet too. Oh!

Here' comes Peter Cottontail
Hoppin' down the bunny trail
Hippity hoppity
Happy Easter Day
http://www.yankeeharvest.com/pumpkin/cottontail.html

“The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season.

”The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. And were made of pastry and sugar

”The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

 

     ”The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

http://www.holidays.net/easter/bunny1.htm

 

If you’ve been to a store lately, you know that we have commercialized Easter as much as we have commercialized Christmas.  And just as Santa Claus is the world’s symbol of Christmas, the Easter Bunny is the world’s symbol for Easter.

 

I will concede that’s that it’s fun to receive and eat chocolate Easter Bunnies and Eggs, candy chicks and jelly beans.  And I’ll concede that the Easter Bunny is a likeable enough character.  But I can’t figure out what positive message the Easter Bunny has.  In fact my problem with the Easter Bunny is not in what he says, but what he doesn’t say.  He doesn’t give a true picture of the real meaning of Easter.

 

This morning I want to share with you four things that the bunny won’t tell you about Easter that you need to know.  If you don’t know these four things about Easter, you will not have a full understanding of Easter and that could be permanently fatal.

 

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU:

THE PRICE OF EASTER

THE POWER OF EASTER

THE PROMISE OF EASTER

THE PRIORITY OF EASTER

 

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PRICE OF EASTER

 

If there is any discernable message from the bunny, it is that we should buy.  We should buy the chocolate rabbits and eggs.  We should buy the stuffed toys and Easter baskets.  We should buy flowers and other gifts.

 

What the bunny doesn’t tell you is that the price has already been paid for you to enjoy Easter. 

 

Let me back up for a moment and explain that each and every person who ever lived was born as a sinner.

Psalm 51:5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

 

If a person lives just a short time he or she becomes a sinner in practice.

Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

 

Sin is anything that displeases God.

Murder displeases God.

Stealing at any level, big or small, displeases God.

Lying displeases God.

Adultery displeases God.

Impure thoughts displease God.

Unforgiveness displeases God.

Unjustified anger displeases God.

Disobedience to parents displeases God.

And many other things displease God as well.

 

When we sin, we become debtors to God.  When we sin, we owe God! How so?  God is a righteous, holy God.  God has decreed that someone has to pay for our sins. 

 

The logical conclusion is that we are the ones who should pay for our own sins.   

Ezekiel 18:4 - Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

We owe God because of our sins.  We deserve punishment.

But God in His love had another plan.  He sent someone to earth who had never sinned to take our place and to pay our debts.  That someone is God the Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Imagine you being in a great amount of debt, and someone just coming along and paying it so you became debt free.   

That’s exactly what happened when it comes to paying for your sin debt before God.   

 

Romans 5:6-9 - For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. [7] For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. [8] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [9] Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

It was on what we call “Good Friday” that Jesus paid the debt of sin for you and me.  One of my favorite songs that the Victory Five sings goes like this:   

 

He left the splendor of heaven
Knowing His destiny
Was the lonely hill of Golgotha
There to lay down His life for me

And if that isn't love
Then the ocean is dry
There's no stars in the sky
And the little sparrows can't fly
Yeah if that isn't love
Then heaven's a myth
There's no feeling like this
If that isn't love

 

John 3:16 - For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

 

If you doubt that God loves you, listen to some of the things that Jesus said on the cross.

   

Luke 23:33-34 - And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. [34] Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

 

Even as we was unfairly put to death, for Jesus did nothing to deserve to die, He had an attitude of forgiveness.

Consider one of the thieves who reached out to Him, as Jesus was bearing all the guilt for all the sins of the whole world.

Luke 23:39-43 - And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us. [40] But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? [41] And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. [42] And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. [43] And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

 

And as Jesus took on the weight of the guilt of our sins on His own shoulders showing mercy towards us, His loving Heavenly Father, with whom He had spent eternity in glory, had to turn His back on Him. That’s why he cried in Matthew 27:46 …Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

 

The most triumphant words that Jesus cried on the cross were at the very end.  First, he cried, It is finished!  Then he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my Spirit.   

   

It was finished!  Everything that needed to be done to pay for you sin was done.  It was finished, and Jesus’ fellowship with the Father was restored.

 

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PRICE OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE POWER OF EASTER

 

The bunny will tell you of the power of fantasy.  You can find all sorts of animation and stories that have absolutely nothing to do with the true meaning of Easter.

 

Easter is a day when the power of God is demonstrated!

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 - For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

Mark 16:1-7 - And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. [2] And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. [3] And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? [4] And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. [5] And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. [6] And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. [7] But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

 

The tomb is empty.

Jesus is not there!

He is risen!

 

And for 40 days after the resurrection Jesus appeared to the disciples, proving to them that He was indeed alive from the dead. 

 

Luke 24:36-43 - And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. [37] But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit. [38] And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? [39] Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. [40] And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. [41] And while they yet believed not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat? [42] And they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honeycomb. [43] And he took it, and did eat before them.

 

There have been those who have been risen from the dead.

Jesus himself brought at least three people back from the dead.

Everyone else but Jesus died again. Jesus is still alive!

Revelation 1:18 - I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

 

The power of Easter is the power of the resurrection!

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PRICE OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE POWER OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PROMISE OF EASTER

 

The promise of Easter is simply this: JESUS IS THE FIRST TO BE RAISED FROM THE DEAD, BUT NOT THE LAST.

Through Him, everyone will be raised from the dead.

Those that have placed his faith and trust in Him will be raised to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 - But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. [14] For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. [15] For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. [16] For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: [17] Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. [18] Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

 

Last Easter both of my parents were living.  In fact, they came for what happened to be their last visit here right after Easter.

This Easter, both of my parents are living.

Their spirits are alive in Heaven.

Some day, perhaps soon, Jesus will come to Earth, the resurrection will take place and my parents’ spirits will be joined with resurrection bodies. 

This will be a fulfillment of the promise that Jesus made to Martha 2,000 years ago.

 

John 11:25-26 - Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: [26] And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

 

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PRICE OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE POWER OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PROMISE OF EASTER

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU THE PRIORITY OF EASTER

  

 Let me tell you something.

You can’t pay for something that is already paid for, nor should you want to.

If Ed Piper and I go out for lunch and Ed picks up the tab, I’m not going to go to the waitress and insist that I will pay the bill too.

 

Jesus has already paid for your sins.

Romans 6:10 - For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.

 

There are people who think that forgiveness of sin comes from their own self effort, from their own good works.

They think if they do enough good stuff, God will accept them into Heaven.

 

There’s a problem with that theory. It’s not what the Bible teaches.

 

John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

 

Ephesians 2:8-9 - For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

 

The priority of Easter is that you accept the gift that Jesus has already paid for on the cross.  The priority is that you believe on Jesus Christ as your Savior.

 

1 John 5:11-12 - And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.

WHAT THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU – PAGE 11

 

One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters.” http://www.bible.org/illus.asp?topic_id=526

   

You can’t see the Lord Jesus Christ, but He can see you.

You are facing punishment for your sins.

I say to you, “Jump into His arms. Trust Him alone for forgiveness and eternal life.”

He will catch you!

 

THE BUNNY WON’T TELL YOU:

THE PRICE OF EASTER

THE POWER OF EASTER

THE PROMISE OF EASTER

THE PRIORITY OF EASTER

 

The bunny won’t tell you these things, but I just did.

If you haven’t already, will you trust the Lord Jesus for forgiveness and eternal life?