It is well documented that Jesus was killed during the time of Passover. The connection between these events is deeply woven. It spans centuries, languages, and cultures. During the first Passover, lambs blood was used to mark the homes of Gods people while they were still held in slavery. Prophecies written centuries before the crucifixion refer to the Messiah as the “Lamb”.
The Hebrew word for Passover, Pesach, is transliterated in Greek to Pascha (πάσχα).The early church used that word to refer to the time of resurrection, as they understood that the two were intrinsically linked. Pascha and the time of Resurrection were the same. Later, by the likes of Luther and Tyndale, this was written as Oster or Ester (a translation rather than transliteration of Pascha). Ester is an Anglo-Saxon word from the German cognate, Ostern. And Ostern is the Teutonic form of auferstehung. Auferstehung means resurrection.
Some have tried to fabricate alternative explanations of all of this that are easily disproven. But of course there are many who still choose to go on believing them today. Especially when they come in the form of easy-to-share memes that require no further research and perpetuate a sense of comfortable superiority over a faith they would rather disparage than face.
I think historical context and etymology matter. Knowing what you believe and why is important. There is more information at our fingertips than ever before and yet we are lazy with it.
But don’t get so caught up that you miss this:
Jesus’ life paid our ransom. We can choose to accept a free gift of grace, not because of the tireless efforts of theologians, apologists, or historians… But simply because the Son of God died to set us free.
I love studying the intricacies and I believe that it is an interest I am called to use. But if I fail to simply fall on my knees to worship the Messiah that pulled me from a destructive path… If I fail to remember that I have received completely unearned grace… Then I miss the purpose altogether.
Wishing all of you a beautiful weekend! May we seek answers to the questions our souls ask. But above all, kneel in awe of the One who paid our way.
Emmy Goulet 