Title April 2022

Good Friday marks the final Friday of Jesus Christ’s life on earth. It is the day He endured immense suffering, was crucified, died, and was buried. Christians around the world observe this day annually to remember the suffering and sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is a solemn day of reflection on the weight of the cross, but it is also a day of immense hope for the believer.

Why Is It Called “Good Friday”?

A common question arises: Why is this day called “Good Friday” and not “Suffering Friday” or “Sad Friday”? After all, this was a day filled with darkness, grief, and deep suffering, as Jesus, our Savior, was rejected, tortured, and killed.

From a human perspective, the events of Good Friday appear sorrowful and filled with suffering. However, from a spiritual perspective, Good Friday is a day of immense joy for humanity. On this day, Jesus’ sacrifice led to the forgiveness of our sins, something that had been impossible since humanity lost its innocence in the Garden of Eden. If Jesus had not died for our sins, we would not have the opportunity for salvation. His death brought about our redemption, and as a result, we should rejoice. Nearly 2,000 years ago, Jesus’ sacrifice set us free from the bondage of sin and death. So, it is truly appropriate to call it “Good Friday,” as it marked the beginning of our salvation.

The Importance of the Cross in Christian Faith

The significance of Good Friday lies in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. His death was not just an act of suffering, but the means by which humanity was reconciled to God. As the Apostle Paul writes in Romans 5:8 (NIV): “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Through Jesus’ death, God provided a way for forgiveness, cleansing, and a restored relationship with Him.

Think of it this way: It’s similar to a fish being caught. The fish experiences suffering as it dies, but the fisherman rejoices in the catch. In the same way, Jesus’ death was painful for Him, but it brought great joy and freedom to us as His followers. His sacrifice is our salvation, and without it, we would still be trapped in our sins. The shedding of His blood was the only way for our sins to be forgiven, as stated in Hebrews 9:22 (NIV): “In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” This is why Good Friday is rightly called “Good.”

Is There a Commandment to Abstain from Meat on Good Friday?

The answer is no. The practice of abstaining from meat on Good Friday is a tradition observed by many Christians, particularly in the Catholic Church, but it is not commanded in the Bible. Catholics abstain from eating meat on this day as a form of reverence for Christ’s sacrifice. Since meat is considered a luxury food, they choose not to indulge in it to honor the sacrificial death of Christ. This practice is also observed on Ash Wednesday and other Fridays during Lent.

However, it is important to note that there is no biblical command to abstain from meat on Good Friday. If you choose to eat meat on Good Friday, you are not sinning, and if you choose to abstain, you are not sinning either. This is a matter of personal conviction and tradition, not a requirement set by Scripture.

Is It a Sin to Celebrate Good Friday?

The answer is no. The Bible does not command or forbid the celebration of any specific day in honor of the Lord. It is a personal decision based on each individual’s conviction.

In Romans 14:5-6 (NIV), Paul writes:

“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.”

This passage emphasizes that the observance of certain days or practices, like Good Friday, is a personal choice and should be done according to individual belief. If you do not feel the need to observe Good Friday, you are free to make that choice, and you should not judge others who choose to observe it. Likewise, if you do choose to observe Good Friday, you should not judge those who do not.

In the same way, fasting during this period of Easter is not mandatory for Christians. If you do not feel led to fast, that is okay. But if you choose to fast as an expression of devotion to Christ, you should not be judged for it. The key is that each person should be fully convinced in their own heart, as Paul writes.

Shalom.

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Many believers are shocked to discover that the word “Easter” is not found anywhere in the Bible—at least not in its original meaning. In fact, the only word consistently used throughout Scripture is “Passover” (Hebrew: Pesach, Greek: Pascha)—a solemn and sacred feast established by God Himself.

So where did the term “Easter” come from, and should Christians observe it?

The Origins of the Word “Easter”

The term “Easter” does not come from the Bible—it has pagan roots. According to several historical sources, the name traces back to a Saxon fertility goddess named Ēostre (or Ostara), who was worshipped in ancient northern Europe. She was associated with springtime, fertility, and the sunrise—symbols of new life and rebirth.

The word “east”—from which “Easter” is derived—refers to the direction where the sun rises, which was considered sacred in pagan worship. Temples and altars were often built facing the east, as worshippers believed this direction was the source of blessing and new beginnings.

Pagans honored this goddess during the spring equinox, around March–April, offering sacrifices, engaging in fertility rituals, and celebrating with feasts and dancing. This period often overlapped with Jewish Passover—which is deeply biblical and sacred in origin.

How Paganism Mixed with Christianity

As Christianity spread through Europe, early church leaders were faced with pagan cultures that had deeply rooted traditions. Instead of removing those traditions completely, some chose to merge them with Christian truths in hopes of easier conversion.

One of the results of this compromise was the blending of the resurrection of Jesus with the fertility celebrations of Easter. Over time, the resurrection Sunday began to be called “Easter,” and customs such as Easter eggs and bunnies—symbols of fertility—crept into Christian observance, despite having no biblical foundation whatsoever.

The Biblical Foundation: The Resurrection, Not Easter

As Christians, our focus is not on seasonal festivals, eggs, or rabbits, but on the historical, powerful event of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This event is the foundation of our faith. Paul writes:

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.”
— 1 Corinthians 15:17

The resurrection is what proved Jesus is the Son of God (Romans 1:4), and what gives us hope for eternal life.

The early Church didn’t call it “Easter.” They referred to it simply as “the Lord’s Day”, particularly the Sunday after Passover, and they gathered to worship, break bread, and remember the risen Savior (Acts 20:7; Revelation 1:10).

What’s the Problem with Celebrating “Easter”?

It’s not wrong to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus—in fact, it’s vital. The danger lies in:

1. Using pagan traditions to honor a holy event

2. Misrepresenting the resurrection with worldly behavior

3. Turning a spiritual remembrance into a cultural holiday

When Christians celebrate the resurrection like the world celebrates Easter—with drunkenness, sensual dancing, feasting for pleasure, or Easter bunnies—we risk dishonoring Christ and aligning with a spirit that contradicts the gospel.

Paul warns us:

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
— Romans 12:2

How Should Christians Celebrate the Resurrection?

We must separate biblical truth from cultural noise. Whether or not the world calls it “Easter,” we must reclaim it as Resurrection Sunday—a day to:

• Worship with reverence and joy

• Reflect on the power of the resurrection in our lives

• Renew our walk with Christ

• Share the hope of the gospel with others

• Live in the power of the risen Savior every day

The celebration should be spiritual, holy, and centered on Christ—not on ancient rituals or cultural trends.

Names Don’t Define Us—Truth Does

Some may argue, “It’s just a name—we’re celebrating Jesus.” And that’s partly true. We don’t worship the name “Easter”—we worship the risen Christ.

Even if the world has corrupted the meaning, Christians can still gather on Resurrection Sunday, as long as the focus is on Jesus and not on the customs that come from paganism.

Think of it this way: even your birthday might fall on a date that pagans once celebrated something evil. That doesn’t mean your birthday is evil. What matters is what you do with that day.

Final Thoughts: A Holy Day, Not a Holiday

Let’s not be careless with the most sacred moment in Christian history. If we’re going to celebrate the resurrection, let us do so with purity, purpose, and passion.

If we feast, let it be on the Word of God.
If we gather, let it be around the presence of Christ.
If we rejoice, let it be because death has been defeated!

Reject the pagan “Easter” spirit. Embrace the Resurrected Christ.

Summary

• The word “Easter” has pagan origins and is not found in the Bible.

• The biblical celebration is Passover, which points to Jesus, our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7).

• The resurrection should be honored, not with worldly customs, but with holy worship.

• Christians may observe the day, but not in the spirit of the world—only in the Spirit of Christ.

“Christ our Passover has been sacrificed for us—let us keep the feast… with sincerity and truth.”
— 1 Corinthians 5:7–8

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