The Easter Story

At the Last Supper, Jesus and His disciples gathered to celebrate the Passover. He gave instructions for where the meal would take place and sent His disciples ahead to prepare the room. During the meal, Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him. They were shocked and asked, "Surely not I, Lord?" Jesus then revealed that Judas would be the one to betray Him.

As the meal went on, Jesus took some bread, thanked God, broke it, and told His disciples it represented His body, which would be given for them. He then took a cup of wine and said it represented His blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins and the new covenant with God. He told them, "Do this in remembrance of me," beginning the practice of communion.

After the meal, Jesus told His disciples that the one who would betray Him was among them and predicted the sorrow that would come to that person. He also washed His disciples' feet, showing them the importance of serving one another. Judas left the meal to betray Jesus, and Jesus spoke about His upcoming departure and how everything was happening to fulfill Scripture. The meal ended with Jesus expressing His deep love for His disciples, knowing the suffering He was about to face.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus went to pray with His disciples, but He took Peter, James, and John a little further with Him. Feeling deeply troubled and overwhelmed with sorrow, He told them His soul was crushed with grief. Jesus then prayed to God, asking if there was any way to avoid the suffering that lay ahead. But in the end, He accepted God’s will, saying, "Not my will, but yours be done." Every time He prayed, He returned to find His disciples asleep, even though He had asked them to stay awake and pray with Him. After praying three times, Jesus knew the moment had come to face His betrayer. He woke His disciples, telling them the hour had arrived for His arrest and that they needed to be ready for what was about to happen.

After finishing His prayer, Jesus and His disciples went to a garden across the Kidron Valley. Judas, who had already planned to betray Him, knew this place well because it was where Jesus often met with His disciples. He arrived with soldiers and officials from the chief priests, armed with torches, lanterns, and weapons. Jesus, fully aware of what was about to happen, stepped forward and asked, “Who are you looking for?” When they responded, “Jesus of Nazareth,” He replied, “I am he.” At that moment, they all fell back, and Jesus repeated His question, telling them to let His disciples go, just as He had promised.

Judas, the betrayer, had arranged a signal with the soldiers: he would kiss the one they were to arrest. He approached Jesus, greeted Him with “Rabbi,” and kissed Him. Jesus, looking at him, said, “Do what you came for, friend.” The soldiers seized Jesus, and in the chaos that followed, one of His disciples struck the ear of the high priest’s servant. But Jesus immediately stopped the violence and healed the servant’s ear. He asked the crowd why they came with weapons, pointing out that He had been teaching openly in the temple without causing any trouble. Jesus then declared that it was time for the Scriptures to be fulfilled, and at that moment, all His disciples fled in fear.

Early the next morning, the religious leaders—the chief priests and elders—gathered to discuss how they could arrest and kill Jesus. They tied Him up and took Him to Pilate, the Roman governor. Judas, the disciple who had betrayed Jesus, felt immense guilt when he saw that Jesus was condemned to die. Overcome with remorse, he tried to return the 30 silver coins he had received for betraying Jesus, saying, “I’ve sinned, because I betrayed innocent blood.” But the priests dismissed him, telling him it was his problem. In despair, Judas threw the money into the temple and went away to hang himself. 

Pilate, the governor, asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” Jesus responded, “You have said so,” meaning, “Yes.” Even though many people falsely accused Jesus, He remained silent. Pilate was surprised by His lack of defense. As was customary during Passover, Pilate offered to release a prisoner, allowing the crowd to choose between Jesus and Barabbas, a criminal. The chief priests persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and demand that Jesus be crucified. Pilate asked, “What crime has He committed?” But the crowd shouted louder, “Crucify Him!” Wanting to avoid conflict, Pilate gave in. He symbolically washed his hands, declaring, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; it’s your responsibility.” 

The soldiers took Jesus and began to mock Him. They dressed Him in a purple robe, fashioned a crown from thorns, and mocked Him, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" They beat Him with a staff and spat on Him, making fun of the idea that He was a king. Afterward, they removed the robe, put His own clothes back on, and led Him away to be crucified. 

Jesus was made to carry His cross to a place called Golgotha, where they nailed Him to the cross. They gambled for His clothes, and the sign above Him read, "This is Jesus, the King of the Jews." Two criminals were crucified alongside Him. As people passed by, they mocked Him, saying, “If you are truly the Son of God, come down from the cross!” Even the religious leaders mocked Him, saying, “He saved others, but He can’t save Himself!”

From noon to 3 p.m., darkness covered the land. Then, Jesus cried out loudly, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” After this, He gave up His spirit and died. At that moment, the temple curtain tore in two, and an earthquake shook the land. Some people who had died were even raised to life. The centurion who oversaw the crucifixion, witnessing all that happened, said, “Surely He was the Son of God!”

As evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy and respected man who secretly followed Jesus, went to Pilate and requested to take Jesus' body. After confirming that Jesus had already died, Pilate gave permission for Joseph to take the body. With the help of Nicodemus, another follower of Jesus, Joseph carefully wrapped Jesus’ body in linen cloths. They placed Him in a new tomb that had been carved out of rock. To seal the tomb, they rolled a large stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary watched from a distance, observing where Jesus' body was laid. Since the Sabbath was approaching, the women went back home to prepare spices and perfumes, but they rested on the Sabbath, as required by Jewish law.

On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other women went to Jesus’ tomb with spices to anoint His body. When they arrived, they found that the stone had been rolled away, and the tomb was empty. Suddenly, an angel appeared, telling them not to be afraid. He explained that Jesus had risen, just as He had said He would The women were filled with both fear and joy as they hurried to tell the disciples. As they went on their way, Jesus Himself appeared to them, reassuring them to go and tell His disciples to meet Him in Galilee.

The guards at the tomb were terrified when they saw the angel and reported the event to the chief priests. In response, the priests bribed the soldiers to spread a false story that Jesus' disciples had stolen His body while they were asleep, a lie that quickly spread among the people.

After the women told the disciples about the empty tomb and the angel's message, the disciples were doubtful. However, Peter and John quickly ran to the tomb to check for themselves. John got there first but hesitated to enter. When Peter arrived, he went straight in and saw the linen cloths that had been used to wrap Jesus’ body, but Jesus was not there. John followed and entered the tomb, and both of them realized that Jesus' body was indeed gone. Though they were amazed, they still didn’t fully understand what had happened, as the Scriptures had not yet made sense to them. They left the tomb, feeling confused and unsure about what they had just witnessed.

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, where Jesus appeared to them and declared that all authority had been given to Him. He commanded them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them His ways. Jesus promised He would always be with them, even to the end of the age.

Back in Jerusalem, two followers of Jesus were walking to Emmaus, discussing the recent events. Jesus appeared to them on the road, though they didn’t recognize Him at first. He explained how the Scriptures foretold the Messiah’s suffering and resurrection. When they sat down for dinner, they recognized Him when He broke the bread. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to tell the others that Jesus had risen.

That evening, Jesus appeared to the disciples who were hiding in fear. He showed them His hands and side, proving He was truly alive. He breathed the Holy Spirit on them and gave them the authority to forgive sins. However, Thomas, one of the disciples, was absent. When he heard the news, he doubted and said he wouldn’t believe until he saw Jesus for himself. A week later, Jesus appeared again, offering Thomas the chance to touch His wounds. Thomas immediately believed, and Jesus told him, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Later, as He led them to Bethany, He blessed them and was taken up into heaven. The disciples worshiped Him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, continually praising God in the temple.