Those Deviled Eggs

Those Deviled Eggs

I once came across some interesting facts regarding the Easter egg.  It seems that the tradition of exchanging eggs came from other early cultures.  Many early civilizations, including the Egyptians, Romans, Chinese and Persians had rituals involving eggs. 

            When the gospel expanded throughout the world, the Church used these opportunities to convert not only people, but their way of thinking also.  The church took the practices of their everyday culture and transformed them into symbols of their new-found faith in Christ.  The egg became the natural symbol of the new birth that comes through the resurrection of Christ.

            Many legends developed throughout the centuries that tied eggs directly to the story of Christ’s resurrection.   One story says that Simon of Cyrene was an egg merchant and upon returning from the crucifixion, he discovered that all his hens’ eggs had turned a rainbow of colors.  While this is a far from fact, it is a fun legend to tell.

Another tradition says that one of the apostles was telling a woman about the resurrection.  Not believing him, she looked down at her apron which was filled with eggs, and said, “If these eggs turn red, I will believe.”  They immediately turned blood red.  Legend has it that this final story began the Christian practice of coloring eggs (particularly red) at Easter.   

So what does this mean?  Should we color and exchange eggs at Easter?  What do the Scriptures say about Easter eggs?  Quite frankly, the Bible says nothing at all about Easter eggs, but it does speak to matters of idolatry, paganism, and false worship.  It seems that some, because the coloring of eggs was a practice used in pagan cultures in the past, believe that egg dying and egg hiding is wrong to do now.

            So, that is the question.  Does a dyed and hidden Easter egg represent idolatry because pagans did it long ago?  In the New Testament the Corinthian church was having trouble with what to do about the meat that had been sacrificed to idols.  The pagan temples, after sacrificing animals, would turn around and sell the leftover meat in the marketplace.  It was good meat (remember, they did not have the local grocery meat department), but some Christians felt it had been defiled because of the pagan worship.  Should they eat it or not? 

            In 1Corinthians 8:4 the Apostle Paul says, “…we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one.”  His point was that, while the meat had been sacrificed to idols, the idols were really nothing – and certainly they were not true gods.  In fact, there is only ONE GOD.  His conclusion is found in 1Corinthians 8:8.  He says, “…food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse.”  His point was that some ridiculous observance to some false god did not make the meat – which had been created by God – violated or bad.

            Certainly, clear immoral acts such as adultery, sexual immorality, lewdness, foul language, and dishonesty are sin.  But dying and hunting Easter eggs in the context of family, friends, and fellowship is not sin.  If one is dying and hunting eggs with the express purpose of pagan worship, IT IS CERTAINLY WRONG!  However, if one is simply celebrating the resurrection of Christ and the Easter season with God centered and family centered celebrations that happen to involved eggs – to God be the glory!   Or…as the Greeks say – “Christos Anesti!”     “Christ is Risen!”