The most important day in our Christian year is Resurrection Sunday. On that day, we celebrate our risen Savior—the One who conquered death on a cross. And without His Resurrection, we are lost (1 Corinthians 15:17). Our celebration of Resurrection Sunday goes way past Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies. Instead, we spend Resurrection Sunday praising God corporately through song, prayer, a message of Jesus, and fellowship. Our day centers on celebrating our Savior, Jesus Christ, and His victory over death. Because He lives, we live!
What did Jesus’ Disciples Do On the First Resurrection Sunday?
John 20:1-10 tells us what happened on the third day after Jesus died on the cross.
Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples went back to their homes. (emphasis added)
John 20:19-25 tells us on the evening of that same day, the disciples were gathered in a room together (possibly the Upper Room), and they had the doors locked “for fear of the Jews.” Jesus appeared and said, “Peace be with you.” And He showed them His hands and His side, and they were glad when they saw Him. Jesus then breathed on them and told them to receive the Holy Spirit. So, then, the disciples saw our resurrected Lord. They were glad. The Greek word used for glad is chairo, which also means to rejoice. It’s what we, as believers, also do. We rejoice knowing our Savior is not dead; He’s alive forevermore.
When Do People Celebrate Resurrection Sunday?
Resurrection Sunday is celebrated by Protestant churches on the Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox. This year we will celebrate Resurrection Sunday on April 17. The date changes each year because we follow the Gregorian calendar, which is solar-based. Because they follow a Julian calendar, the Eastern Orthodox churches usually celebrate Resurrection Sunday later.
How Do People Celebrate Resurrection Sunday?
Protestant churches often offer an option to celebrate with a sunrise service (weather permitting). They equate the sunrise with our risen Savior as no longer being in the tomb. In addition, most Protestant churches will hold Resurrection Sunday services indoors.
An anticipated greeting between believers is “He is risen,” with “He is risen indeed,” as the response. Resurrection Sunday is a joyful time of worship, especially after the somber days which precede it (Maundy Thursday and Good Friday). Often, a congregation will break bread together with a breakfast before the Resurrection celebration. The service includes a time of prayer, worship music, a message specifically centered on our Risen Lord Jesus, and more time of worship music. The service ends with a prayer.
Roman Catholics, after observing a forty-day period of Lent before Resurrection Sunday, gather for a celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead (as do Protestants). Easter Sunday, for them, is a culmination of the Easter Triduum, which consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday, and it marks the start of their liturgical year. After Resurrection Sunday, the Easter season continues for seven weeks, concluding at their observance of Pentecost.
Many Catholics begin their celebration with a midnight Easter vigil on Resurrection Sunday’s eve. The Mass is lengthy and usually consists of baptisms, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults. As a result, the Easter daytime services are shorter and follow the pattern of a normal mass. Other activities for Roman Catholics are more geared to families and children and often include an Easter egg hunt. Candy is also a traditional present because children love to break their Lenten fast with sweets.
After a forty-day Lenten fast, Anglican churches kick off a fifty-day celebration/feast called Eastertide (also called Paschaltide), which begins on Resurrection Sunday. They consider the Gospel a preparation for an eternity of celebration and feasting, since fasting will pass away, “but the Great Feast of the Lamb will last for eternity.”
On the Sundays during the fifty-day celebration, the Lectionary readings center on Jesus’ appearances after He rose from the dead and point toward our future resurrection.
Anglicans also share a special Eastertime greeting: “Alleluia! Christ is risen!” The response is, “The Lord is risen indeed, Alleluia!”
How Can Our Unsaved Neighbors Relate to Resurrection Sunday?
Matthew 28:19 starts, “…and as you are going….” That’s the meaning behind what our translations render as, “Go therefore…” Jesus’ words in Matthew 28:18-20 are not a suggestion; He is giving us a command. Evangelization and discipleship are not static. As we live our lives, going about with tasks, we are to make the most of every opportunity we face. The passage reads, “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age’” (italics added).
Witnessing is an ongoing event, and as we get to know our neighbors, we form relationships. Of course, we share who we are not by just our actions but by our speech. Passive evangelism is no evangelism. “Faith comes by hearing” (Romans 10:17).
All this to emphasize relationship building. If our only interaction with our neighbors is a printed invitation to a Resurrection Sunday service left at their door (and I’ve done that!), it might make our neighbor feel like a project—a box to be checked off. But if we truly love as Jesus taught us to love, our unsaved neighbors (and family members, co-workers, etc.) will hopefully feel moved by your loving gesture when inviting them to Resurrection Sunday service. As you invite your unsaved friends and family to church service, I pray that they join you and respond positively to the news that He is risen!
Jesus, as the only Man to declare complete victory over death, was/is the God/Man. Fully God. Fully man. Only He could take on the sins—past, present, and future—of the whole world. And the best news? He is alive forevermore, and He is at the Father’s right hand and is preparing a place for us believers. (Mark 16:9; Hebrews 7:25) When we gather on Resurrection Sunday, it is a time of great rejoicing, knowing a risen Savior forgives our sins. Hallelujah!
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Boonyachoat
Learn more about the meaning and significance behind the Easter holiday and Holy Week celebrations:
What is Lent? and When Does Lent Start?
What is Ash Wednesday? and When is Ash Wednesday?
What is Palm Sunday?
What is Maundy Thursday?
What is Good Friday? and When is Good Friday?
What is Holy Saturday?
What is Easter? and When is Easter Sunday?
Easter Bible Verses
The Resurrection of Jesus
Easter Prayers
