This was originally a Facebook post. When I was typing, however, it keeps getting longer; so I decided to cut it and make it a blog post. What prompted this post was, early today I wanted to change my cover photos with an image of the risen Lord. So I typed Easter on the Google search. All pictures on the first and second page are colorful eggs, bunnies and chocolates. I thought, what in the world! So I changed the word to Resurrection of Jesus on the google search. Only then, I found the image I was looking for. Now you understand the emotion that goes with this post.
In the secular and commercial world, it is unfortunate that decorated eggs and bunnies are more popular than Jesus on Easter; like that of Santa and Christmas Tree on Christmas! It seems that Christians and missionaries are to blame for the commercialization of these important Christian holidays and its proliferation in different parts of the world! Regardless of one's intention, and these symbols depict, Easter ain’t about eggs and bunnies. It’s the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus from the grave. Had Jesus not been risen, there would have been no Christianity ever existed. The existence of Christianity hinges from that miraculous event in history when the tomb was made empty! The evidence of the Resurrection is overwhelming regardless of the arguments against it made by unbelieving scholars. It is not my purpose in this post, to point out any of those arguments. There are lots of articles you can read about the evidences of the Resurrection. What I am lamenting about is the commercialization and proliferation of Easter symbols, which Christians are guilty about. What's wrong about it? Nothing really. My concern is that the symbols are more popular than what they symbolized. The symbols are more famous than Jesus.
Let me explain why Christians are guilty of these charge I am making. There's a demand for commercialized decorated eggs. There's a demand for Easter bunnies. Companies who want to make money saw this as an opportunity to make profit. They manufactured these symbols to supply the church's demands. When missionaries and Christians go to another country, they bring their own traditions. They import the celebration, including the symbols. When I came to Cambodia in 2003, there were very few Christmas tree in the stores. There are some, but they are small. As the years progress, Christians and foreigners keep asking about bigger Christmas trees. Now, you will see giant Christmas trees for sale all over Phnom Penh. You even see in front of buildings. It's for profit because of the demand. I have not been to all stores if there are lots of Easter eggs and bunnies for sale in Phnom Penh. But I will predict, there will be in the coming years.
When I was young I know nothing about Easter bunny and Eggs. I only know about the celebration of the Resurrection. I am not against Easter eggs and bunnies, but I have to admit I am ignorant these symbols. I just know that where we live, we do not celebrate The Resurrection along with these symbols. While some writers are saying that Easter and also the bunny came from a Pagan tradition, there's no concrete evidence for it. I know there's nothing inherently evil about these symbols. They are good symbols of life. What is unfortunate is the fact that people only know the symbols and know nothing about what is behind the symbol-Jesus' resurrection. The next time you see decorated eggs, bunnies and chocolate, remember that Jesus has risen. Because of He has risen, Christianity exists! Christians exist because of the Resurrection of Jesus. The very foundation of the Christian faith, is this event called, the Resurrection!
