Genesis 22:15-18NIV
[15] The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time [16] and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, [17] I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, [18] and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”
Today marks the beginning of the first day of the month leading up to Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. Easter, much like Christmas, is often attacked and slandered by non-believers (and even believers) who say that their origins are stolen from popular Pagan feasts, festivals, and gods/goddesses. When you actually begin to research these claims, there is no evidence for a single one of them. So, where did Easter actually come from? Well, it dates all the way back to a promise to a faithful father.
Abraham had waited 25 years for God to fulfill His promise of an heir. When Abraham turned 100 years old, God’s promise was fulfilled, and Isaac was born. Now, think about this for a second. This promise didn’t come without Abraham first obeying God and acting in faith by taking his son, Isaac, and sacrificing him on an altar to God. Abraham, in faith, took his son up the mountain to fulfill what God had commanded of him. Isaac, noticing everything needed for the sacrifice, but the sacrifice itself asked his father where the sacrifice was.
Genesis 22:6-8 NIV
[6] Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, [7] Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” [8] Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together.
Abraham didn’t go up the mountain believing his son would be left dead on the mountain. No. He knew the LORD is good and he put his faith in that good God He knew. And he said “God Himself will provide the lamb.” It wasn’t until he went up that mountain, built the altar, and laid his own son on the altar that the LORD then stopped him and gave a ram in Isaac’s place. Once they sacrificed the offering, that had been provided by God Himself, then and only then did God give Abraham the promise of the Messiah.
Because Abraham did not hold back his son from God, God in turn did not hold back His Son from the world.
Galatians 3:16NIV
[16] The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.
God always looks for just one person willing to obey in faith His commands. Today, we have Easter, not because we stole beliefs from Pagans, but because we celebrate a promise fulfilled. A promise of the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, who came to us from Heaven to die and rise again. That is why we celebrate Easter. We celebrate the fulfillment of the greatest promise, our freedom from sin and our return to our Creator.
Dear LORD, thank You for Your promise. Thank You that You are a God that is not slow in fulfilling Your promises, but wait until the fulfillment of time. Thank You for every promise You have given me. I ask for strengthening in my faith that I might live in obedience to Your promise. That I might not lose hope or begin to doubt, but that I might have faith to see Your promise fulfilled. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.