Eastertime is here! A time of happiness, especially for children. In this current crisis our shops may be low on some essentials, but there have been plenty of chocolate eggs on the shelves. Eggs to bring joy. As long ago as Anglo-Saxon times (maybe even earlier) eggs were used to signify the end of winter and the happier time of spring. Symbols of new life springing forth. Hope!
Eggs have long been associated with Easter
Shortages in our shops is unusual. Not so elsewhere in the world. In some countries there can be threat of mass starvation, often caused by rain and drought. In these places there is much excitement when the rains eventually do come and the first crops appear. Despair turns to hope and the people celebrate these ‘firstfruits’; a sign of a harvest to come. The danger of perishing is much reduced.
‘Firstfruits’ are mentioned in the Bible, notably in the context of the resurrection of Jesus. He was crucified at the time of the Jewish celebration of Passover. This, like Easter, was in spring and its timing varied from year to year according to the lunar months. But, unlike any other person, he then rose from the dead to everlasting life. Never to die again.
“but now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep [died]” .
1 Corinthians 15:20
During the first Passover, the Hebrews had to paint the blood of a lamb on their door frames.
The resurrection of Jesus is a core belief of Christianity. It was the central message of the first century apostles. In fact, the whole of Christianity would be futile – utterly worthless and a waste of time – without the amazing resurrection of Jesus. This event is the world’s greatest wonder: mentioned dozens of times in the New Testament, and promised in the Old Testament. On the Sunday after the crucifixion the stone was rolled away from the tomb revealing no body. This was always part of God’s plan to save an otherwise dying world.
“Then Paul….reasoned with them from the scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying:
‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ’… because He [God] has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”
Acts 17:2,3,31
Christians have always believed in an after-life. Christ’s resurrection is the sure and true foundation of this hope. He rose from the dead. So can his followers. He is the ‘firstfruits’: believers are the full harvest.
“…in Christ shall all be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at his coming”
1 Corinthians 15:22, 23
In poorer countries the firstfruits give hope of extended life. Jesus’ resurrection to everlasting life is an even more important and hopeful ‘firstfruits’. We should be unspeakably grateful to God, and make sure we are truly “Christ’s at his coming”.
