Rose Publishing - The Easter Story

• An easy-to-understand explanation in just 30 minutes.
• Contains the entire Easter story drawn directly from the Gospels of Matthew and Luke.
• Gives an overview of the Last Supper; the prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane; the trial and passion of the Christ; and His death, resurrection, and Ascension.
• Examines the medical effects of Jesus treatment (the beatings, scourging, and the crown of thorns) prior to and during the crucifixion.
• Includes a model prayer for those who want to become followers of Jesus.

THE EASTER STORY is a love story. Its the story of a loving God willing to sacrifice himself for the sake of his creation. The Easter story tells us how Jesus fulfilled all that God had promised. The last days of Jesus life were filled with dangers and sadness. Jesus, the King of the Universe, would experience betrayal, rejection, insults, and physical, emotional, and spiritual terror. Through all, Jesus remained obedient to the end. On a Friday afternoon, he was crucified and died.

However, the Easter Story does not end with defeat and death. On Sunday, Jesus rose from the dead, conquering Satan, death, and the forces of evil. Jesus atoned for our sins, reconciled us with God, and gave us hope for a new future. Easter is a story of love, victory, and new life.

For three years, Jesus had traveled with his disciples, preached, healed, and announced the coming of Gods kingdom. A week before his death, Jesus entered Jerusalem, taught his disciples and prepared them for his eventual death. As a final preparation, Jesus wanted to share the Passover celebration with his disciples. As Jesus said often, all of these things happened as fulfillment of Gods promises to prophets in the Old Testament (see Matt. 1:22; Luke 18:31; 22:37).

When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, As you know, the Passover is two days awayand the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified. Matt. 26:2

In those days, the Jewish leaders were plotting to kill Jesus. Judas Iscariot approached them with a plan to betray Jesus. They had found their opportunity to get rid of Jesus.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Jesus sent his disciples to prepare everything so they could celebrate together. As they ate together, Jesus announced that one of them would betray him, and identified Judas as the betrayer. As the Passover meal was being eaten, Jesus instituted a new celebration, the Lords Supper:

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take and eat; this is my body.

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Fathers kingdom. Matt. 26:2629

After the meal, Jesus began washing his disciples' feet. Peter objected, but Jesus replied, Unless I wash you, you have no part with me. Jesus said, Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one anothers feet.... I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. John 13:5-16

Then Jesus told them, This very night you will all fall away on account of me. Peter replied, Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will. I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times. But Peter declared, Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you. Matt. 26:3135

Jesus and his disciples left the room and went to the Mount of Olives. There, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to join him and watch over him while he prayed. But they could not remain awake.

Jesus prayed and agonized about the suffering he would experience. In all, however, he remained humble and obedient as he prayed:

My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will. Matt. 26:39

After praying, he returned to the disciples and said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Matt. 26:45

While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Greetings, Rabbi! and kissed him. Jesus replied, Friend, do what you came for.

Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him. With that, one of Jesus companions reached for his sword, drew it out and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. But Jesus answered, No more of this! And he touched the mans ear and healed him.

Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way? At that time Jesus said to the crowd, Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. Matt. 26:4756

Jesus was brought before the leaders of the Jewsthe Sanhedrin. False witnesses were brought in, but their testimony did not agree. Without any evidence to condemn Jesus, the high priest accused him of blasphemy. But Jesus remained silent. So, the high priest said to him: I charge you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God. Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. But I say to all of you: In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think? He is worthy of death, they answered. Then they spit in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you? Matt. 26:6368