What is Easter actually?

When I ask here in the editorial office if anyone knows what we are actually celebrating with Easter, it remains eerily silent. May mumbles something about how “no one under 40 knows that anymore” and Jet exclaims, after some thought: “It’s something with Jesus!” Which is technically not incorrect, but perhaps a bit short-sighted. I looked up what Easter, Good Friday, and all those things actually mean and now I’m going to pretend it’s common knowledge. That’s super handy for you, because then you can make endless impressions during the Easter breakfast or brunch if it turns out that your know-it-all father-in-law doesn’t know either.

Maundy Thursday

Always the Thursday directly before Good Friday, and this is when the Last Supper of Jesus and his apostles is commemorated.

Good Friday

This is the day when Jesus dies on the cross. Between 8 and 9 PM he is crucified between two murderers. Three hours later the whole earth becomes dark until 3 PM (it’s quite something, yes) and then he dies. Then there’s the question of why this is called a good day. It has to do with dying and rising from the dead, through which he has overcome death. Through his death, humanity has gained access to God; Jesus bore the punishment for the sins of all people. The way to God is opened for everyone through the death of Jesus, and that’s why it’s a good day. So. 

Easter

The third day after Good Friday, this is the day when Jesus rises from the dead. Jesus more or less voluntarily hung on that cross; he said he had to die to bear the brokenness and sin of the world. Easter has become so important because through his resurrection, death is no longer dead, there is hope and perspective, and life does not simply stop with death.

Ascension Day

Forty days after Easter is Ascension Day, when it is commemorated that Jesus ascended to God in heaven. Ascension Day always falls on a Thursday, ten days before Pentecost, and will be on May 14 this year.

Pentecost

And then we have Pentecost. This is the 49th day after Easter and this is the day that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on earth is commemorated. Within the Christian faith, a very important day, because with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, the beginning of the Christian church is marked.