Where does the name Easter originate? More than 2,000 years ago there was a story of Ostara, the goddess of fertility, health and new life. Spring is the time for preparing the soil, planting the seeds and the beginning of new life on this planet. The name Easter, which ushers in this springtime of new life, is derived from this goddess.

In the four Gospels we read the historical story, which we celebrate at Easter, and although the accounts vary somewhat, we can basically follow the events through Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem on the donkey, the cleansing of the Temple, the Lord's Supper and Passover, the Garden of Gethsemane, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, the Crucifixion, the Descension, the Resurrection, the Ascension and Pentecost.

It is important to understand the historical setting. The Jews were disturbed that an Arab, King Herod, ruled over Judah. It was their intent that Jesus become King and take over in a peaceful manner. Some of the Zealots were followers of Jesus' teachings and were anxious for this transition of kings. They were, by today's definition, terrorists in the eyes of the Roman Empire. Barabbas, also a Zealot, whose name means "the son of Abba, the Master, or Ruler, or God", thought that Pontius Pilate, the governor and an acquaintance of Jesus, would not harm Jesus. But, Jesus was arrested as well as Barabbas. Why?

It was the Romans' purpose to arrest Jesus, but they could find no cause for His arrest except that he was the father of Barabbas. Yes, there is historical evidence that Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and the marriage of Cana was his own. Again, you will find evidence of this story in the book, "Holy Blood, Holy Grail." The original scrolls in the South of France are clear about Jesus' life, his marriage, his children. He was a Rabbi (John 1:38), and a Rabbi could only be someone who was married. But why were the people encouraged to ask for the release of the young son and not Jesus?

The High Priest of the church wanted Jesus dead. Why? Remember that Jesus was from the very wealthy house of David, the house of the highest social level. There are records of his receiving the finest education of his day in Egypt, as well as in parts of the Far East. Jesus, as a Rabbi, had all the rights of a priest. (He even taught in the temple as a young child, although he neither taught from books nor did he write one.) Jesus entered the temple to overturn the tables of the money changers, to "cleanse" the temple, and He had a right to do this as the owner of the property upon which the temple stood. Jesus would have destroyed the power of the church with His Gospel. They had to stop him.