Homes throughout America celebrate Easter in different ways. For some, it is deeply spiritual. For others, it is purely cultural. And for many, it is a blend of both.

I grew up in a Christian home, so I always understood that Easter was about the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Historically, that’s true—the earliest celebrations of Easter date back to the first and second centuries. But like many, I also grew up wondering: Where did the bunny, eggs, and candy come from?

Rather than eliminate these traditions, early missionaries often absorbed them, weaving them into Easter celebrations as Christianity spread across Europe. Over time—through culture, tradition, and eventually consumerism—Easter became what it is today: a shared holiday where sacred truth and seasonal celebration coexist.

That’s how I was raised.

Like many Christian families, we celebrated both sides. Church in the morning, Easter baskets in the afternoon. My parents, in their own way, used candy and tradition to point us toward something deeper. Still, I remember the bitter sweet struggle—”dressing up to the nines” for church, then coming home to bite the ears off a chocolate bunny. The experience was bitter-sweet and a little conflicted.

And maybe it should. Because while Easter has become culturally flexible, its core message is anything but.

Now, later in life, I’ve had more time to reflect—especially as my daily study has recently taken me through the Book of Revelation. And it has given me a perspective on Easter I never had before.

The Jewish people were not wrong in expecting a powerful Messiah. They were waiting for a King—someone who would overthrow their enemies and establish God’s rule on earth.

What they did not expect was how He would come first.

• Jesus entered not on a war horse, but on a donkey.
• He did not conquer Rome—He submitted to it.
• He was not crowned with gold—but with thorns.

To many, that disqualified Him.

But what they didn’t yet understand is what we now see clearly:
The cross was not a failure—it was the mission.

Jesus came first as the Lamb—to bear sin, absorb God’s wrath, and offer salvation to both Jew and Gentile. As Isaiah 53 foretold, He was the suffering servant. As John the Baptist declared, He was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).

And through His death and resurrection, He conquered something far greater than Rome—He conquered sin and death.

But His Resurrection is not the end of the story.

The same Jesus who came humbly will return in power.

Revelation 19:11–16 gives us a glimpse:

• He is no longer riding a donkey—but a white horse.
• No longer wearing a crown of thorns—but many crowns.
• No longer silent before His accusers—but judging and making war in righteousness.

This is still Jesus—but now revealed as King and Judge.

The Jews were not wrong about the Messiah.
They were just seeing His second coming before His first.

So how do we reconcile these two images of Jesus?

And He has given us something else very precious:
Time

Time to repent. Time to believe. Time to choose.

Because God does not force love—He invites it.

So this Easter, somewhere between the church service, the egg hunts, and the sugar highs, I would encourage you to pause and reflect:

Who is the Jesus you believe in?

Is He only the gentle Savior?
Or is He also the reigning King?

Do you embrace Him only for grace?
Or also for His authority?

Are you aligned with His kingdom?
Or still holding onto your own?

Because the same Jesus who died for you…
is the same Jesus who will return.

And on that day, He will not come as a Lamb

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