Local pastor explains importance of Easter for Christians

by Belle Johnson

Easter is known for its sweet traditions, from egg hunts to Easter baskets stuffed with candy . . . but why is Easter celebrated by so many people?

"It's most known for the resurrection of Christ,” said Michael Schwarte, a World Religions adjunct professor at Troy University, and minster at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church near Downtown Troy. “It kind of distinguishes Christianity from any other world religion."

Schwarte said even though Easter is on a Sunday, the celebrations begin a few days before.

  "In the Christian world, we celebrate the Maundy Thursday, or the Catholic church calls it Holy Thursday, and it commemorates the Last Supper of Christ," Schwarte said.

Schwarte said during this Last Supper, Christ took the time to wash his disciples’ feet, which signified His love for them. Christ also gave them a mandate to live by.

  "The mandate is, 'love one another as I have loved you.'” Schwarte said. “Then he shows that as he died on the cross.”

Schwarte also said reason Christians celebrate Easter makes the Christian religion unique from any other religion.

“Historically, we believe that our supreme Messiah figure, Jesus, died physically, and on the third day rose physically from the dead."

Schwarte stated that no other world religion makes this claim. Citing a few historical books, including "The Resurrection of the Son of God" by Agnostic author N.T. Wright as reasons the resurrection of Jesus is so impactful. 

“ cites many different non-Christian sources that would say beyond a shadow of a doubt, there was a man named Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who had a huge following, who did miracles, and he died a terrible, bloody death on the cross,” Schwarte said.

Schwarte said while the resurrection has already taken place, there is still a job for Christians to do.

“Most every church believes Jesus will come again one day, but until then, we're called to help other people, to love God and love our neighbor," Schwarte said.