The resurection of Jesus Christ; the promise of a new beginning
The greatest story ever told
For many Westerners, raised in the Christian belief; Easter is the celebration of the resurection of Jesus Christ from the grave. Arguably, one of the greatest stories ever penned.
According to the scriptures; Jesus Christ, “Son of God,” was crucified on the cross. On the third day, he arose from the dead, and ascended up to the heavens; were he sits at the right hand side of God the father. Centuries later, the story would be re-interpreted by the Catholic Church; into to tale of the sacrifice of the Son of God, who died for our sins; so that we may live.
In researching the story, I find that the then considered rebellious Rabi,Jesus Christ; may have without reservation; believed himself to be a “son of God;” as many Hebrews of the Old Testament did.
Jesus’s problem with the officials of the day was apparently a political one. In reading the scripture, I detect a bit of a conflict arising from a questionable partnership agreement between the church leaders of the day; and the Roman Empire controlled local government. It appears that the local powers-to-be, were threatened by the growing influence of Jesus with the local populace; an underemployed; over-taxed rabble that wished for the over-throw of a fiscally demanding government.
At stake was the loss of Roman control and influence; as guaranteed by the church of the time, at the hands of a less than cooperative Jesus Christ, A.K. Son of God; sometimes known to his followers as the “King of the Jews”; often loosely referred to as the Messiah.
Consequently; Jesus was most cruelly judged by a jury of his rabbinical peers, and then sentenced to death by one Pontius Pilet; who according to scripture, ceremoniously washed his hands of the pending execution of the innocent Jesus; laying the responsibility of the execution on the heads of the church of the time.
The written biblical account of the death of Jesus, as well as his purported resurrection and subsequent ascension into his heavenly father’s house; remains unquestionably, the greatest story ever told. It is the foundation of faith to untold millions of Christians; in an uncertain, ever-changing world.
The story of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ; to many, is one of hope, as well as forgiveness. Timeless in it's implications as to a higher power, as well as a possible path to a kinder,gentler,higher enlightenment.
Aside from the Christian connection, the celebration of Easter is a rite of spring; as the Western Hemisphere changes seasons; and acknowledges a rebirth of nature. Much as the historical Jesus is resurrected from death, Mother Nature is resurrected from the “dead” of winter; as all that is life is reborn through the “Sun” of God.
