Dawn

Our April topic is "Easter messages - especially from the New Testament" and it made me wonder where the name Easter comes from. This is from Britannica:

There is now widespread consensus that the word derives from the Christian designation of Easter week as in albis, a Latin phrase that was understood as the plural of alba (“dawn”) and became eostarum in Old High German, the precursor of the modern German and English term. The Latin and Greek Pascha (“Passover”) provides the root for Pâques, the French word for Easter. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday

Dawn is a lovely way to think about Easter.

I decided to open my Bible to John. My eyes fell upon John 12:42 which records that many of the chief rulers believed Jesus but were too afraid to go public.

Chapter 12 reports on Jesus’ visit to siblings Mary, Martha and Lazarus in Bethany followed by his “triumphal entry” into Jerusalem where he announces that “the hour is come” (v. 23).

John 12: 37-43 (KJV) explains the scene:

But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:

That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?

Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,

He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.

These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God. [emphasis added] 

The Message (Eugene Petersen) paraphrases verses 42 and 43:

On the other hand, a considerable number from the ranks of the leaders did believe. But because of the Pharisees, they didn't come out in the open with it. They were afraid of getting kicked out of the meeting place. When push came to shove they cared more for human approval than for God's glory. 

The truth of what Jesus had spoken and demonstrated had dawned on their thought, but the pull of world opinions was apparently a force they failed to resist.

Julie Swannell