Are Holy Week and Easter Biblical?
Many churches this last Sunday observed what is commonly called “Palm Sunday”, kicking off what is referred to as “Holy Week” by many churches around the world. In more liturgical and especially Catholic traditions, there’s Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and finally Easter Sunday.
While there is plenty of tradition surrounding these holidays, are Holy Week and Easter something we should observe as Christians?
Like everything we do in our lives, we should ask the questions: Why am I doing this? What does God want me to do? We need to walk with intention, clarity, and wisdom so that we are truly doing the Lord’s will in our lives and not our own will.
“[15] See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, [16] Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17
The hard truth, often ignored or resisted, is that the Bible does not instruct the Body of Christ to observe specific days, including Easter. The only time the word Easter is mentioned in the Bible is in Acts 12:4 and it references the pagan observance of King Herod and others of the day, not Christ’s resurrection. Under grace, no day holds greater spiritual significance than another. This coming Sunday is no more “Christian” than any other. In fact, the Apostle Paul condemned esteeming certain days above others in Galatians, where believers reverted to legalistic practices like circumcision and holy days, contrary to the gospel of grace.
“[9] But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? [10] Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. [11] I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” – Galatians 4:9-11
Again in Colossians, Paul admonishes the church not to subject themselves to things that were once required for Israel under the law, such as dietary laws or holy days, but no longer are for the Body. The only holy days that were ever mandated by God to observe were those in the Old Testament that concerned Israel under the law (Lev 23). The Body of Christ has no such requirements. Any sort of rules or requirements, including observing holy days, not found in the Bible rightly divided are man’s doctrines. It’s fleshly religion that indeed can look good on the outside and make people feel good on the inside, but is contrary to Christ:
“[16] Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: [17] Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ…[20] Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, [21] (Touch not; taste not; handle not; [22] Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? [23] Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.” – Colossians 2:16-17; 20-23
Beyond the issue of esteeming days, Easter’s pagan origins raise further concerns. Eggs, bunnies, and marshmallow peeps have nothing to do with Christ. The word Easter is derived from “Eostre,” a Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. Her festival, tied to the spring equinox, celebrated renewal and abundance. Similar deities, like Babylonian Ishtar or Phoenician Astarte, inspired pre-Christian spring rituals. Eggs, dyed in Babylonian, Egyptian, and Persian rites, symbolized fertility and rebirth. Rabbits, prolific breeders, represented fertility in pagan festivals tied to goddesses like Eostre. The origins of Easter are pagan to the core and these festivals were celebrated through fornication and lasciviousness that isn’t worth expounding on.
Historically, modern Easter celebrations originate from Catholic missionaries re-packaging pagan holidays into “Christian” ones, in order to get more converts and in turn, more dollars and influence. Old pagan Gods became “saints” and old pagan traditions are masqueraded as something spiritually important. This is man-made religion and not Bible-believing Christianity.
While most people celebrating Easter aren’t even aware of the pagan origins, the most important reason people typically celebrate it, is because it’s “fun.” In our consumerist culture, Easter-related commerce accounts for roughly $24 billion annually, and as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Letting the kids go find hidden eggs is “fun.” Candy is “fun”. Bunnies are “fun.” However, good feelings and fun were never and are never the guide to what is right (Eph 2:1-3).
In fact, seeking fun and pleasure above the truth of God is called idolatry, the same way Israel did in the wilderness:
“[6] Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. [7] Neither be ye idolaters, as were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” – 1 Corinthians 10:6-7
There’s a reason why many unsaved or even saved people only attend church twice a year on Christmas and Easter. It’s because the days are not only esteemed by the culture but also by the church, both spiritually and for the fun of festivities. It becomes a confusing topic because rather than identifying Christians by the preaching of the cross they believe for salvation, they are identified by what days they esteem and the festivities they do.
Even for Christians who realize that the days have no true spiritual significance in their mind, they treat the days as special. Missing church or the annual family Easter dinner would be unheard of. Why? Because it’s Easter of course! It’s an important day! We’ve always done it! Tradition.
Is it wrong to eat dinner with your family or get together? Of course not. Just understand why you’re doing it and ensure you’re doing it for the Lord, not for yourself. Why you do what you do matters!
A good litmus test to whether you esteem or value something: if you didn’t do it, would it produce guilt, shame, or a feeling of loss and regret? Would you feel like you missed out?
The intention of this article is not to pass judgment, but rather, to clarify your complete position in Christ apart from religious tradition and hopefully help you consider the Biblical truth concerning Easter and Holy Week. You are not a Christian because you celebrate Easter. You are not a “better” Christian because you celebrate Easter. You are a Christian by faith alone in the gospel of Christ: trusting in His death, burial, and resurrection for the forgiveness of your sins, and none of your works (1Co 15:1-4, Eph 2:8-9). You are complete in Christ and don’t need a day to make you holy: Christ already did that (Col 2:10, 1Co 3:16-17).
“[4] Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. [5] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. [6] He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks. [7] For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. [8] For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. [9] For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. [10] But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. [11] For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. [12] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” – Romans 14:4-12
In our church meeting this Sunday, we will not be celebrating Easter. We will continue to preach the gospel of the grace of God revealed to the Apostle Paul for the church, the Body of Christ (Rom 16:25-26, Col 1:25-29, Eph 3:1-10). Whatever you do this week or upcoming Sunday, don’t hide the clear preaching of the cross for salvation behind festivities and pagan symbolism, and do all for the glory of God.
“[31] Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. [32] Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: [33] Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.” – 1 Corinthians 10:31-33
