This article is written for anyone searching for the meaning of our worldwide reverence for Easter weekend. I have written this as a bible and fact based list of events that occurred before, during and after Jesus cruxifixction,
( Good Friday ) and his resurrection ( Easter Sunday ).
I was guided by the Holy Spirit to write this article, and I hope it gives some meaning to what we are celebrating this upcoming Easter weekend. I am not referencing versus and chapters, but merely narrating through recollection and my own handwriting from early this morning.
For detailed versions of the entire cruxifixction and resurrection, please refer to the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in the new Testament of the Bible. They give four accounts of the events from their different view points and are a great testament to Jesus, his Father God almighty, and the Holy Spirit.
We look at Jesus as the son of God, and therefore view him as a super being who can perform miracles, heal the sick and the blind, and can’t be harmed. The fact of the matter, when Jesus was on earth, he walked as a human and therefore felt all of the emotions, fears, doubts, pain and suffering that we do. He was just like you and I. Jesus was only 33 years old when he was crucified on the cross.
Jesus committed no sins and did not break any laws, but was unjustly found guilty and sentenced to death in a court of law.
The people in the courtroom that day were the same people that witnessed Jesus miracles, and attended his sermons, but they were calling for his death.
One of Jesus own disciples, betrayed him and turned him over to religious leaders, his name was Judas Iscariot.
While Jesus was being apprehended, one of his disciples, Simon Peter, drew his sword and cut off a portion of a Roman soldiers ear. Jesus stopped him, healed the soldiers ear, and told Simon Peter, that if he Jesus, wanted to escape, he could call his angels and they would slay the soldiers on the spot. Jesus did not call for help as these events were prophesied to happen.
Jesus was tried in a court attended by Religious Leader Caiphas, other leaders of the Jewish religious group called the Sanhedrin, and the Roman Governor, Pontus Pilate, who was a direct report to Julius Cesar.
Pontus Pilate wife had a dream about Jesus and told her husband to not be involved in the death of Jesus. Pilate told the religious leaders he found no fault with Jesus and would wash his hands clean of the decision to kill Jesus. Although washing his hands clean, Pilate still had to allow the decision to kill Jesus.
Before Jesus was led to the hill called Gogotha to hang on the cross until his death, he was badly beaten and tortured by the Roman soldiers and Religious leaders. He had a crown of thorns placed on his head, and a sign which read “King of the Jews” hung around his neck.
As Jesus was nailed to the cross, he asked his father to forgive them, for they didn’t know what they were doing.
Only one of Jesus disciples, John, stayed with Jesus as he hung on the cross. His mother Mary, and his good friend Mary Magdalene also stayed with him.
Jesus hung on the cross for over 9 hours suffering in pain and agony. During this time, he asked John to care for his mother after he died.
When Jesus died, his last words were, “It is finished” Meaning the prophecy of his death had been fulfilled. After he died, the Holy Spirit was released into the world to carry on Jesus message, and if we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, Repent of our sins, the Holy Spirt will be activated in our lives, and therefore Jesus and God residing in our heart and soul and a promise of everlasting life.
After his death, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pontus Pilate permission to remove the body from the cross and give Jesus a proper burial in a tomb. Pilate agreed and Joseph had Jesus body removed, cleaned and wrapped and placed in a tomb with a large boulder covering the entrance to the tomb. Also tending to Jesus was Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who secretly followed Jesus.
Mary Magdalene went to the tomb to find the stone removed and two angels standing inside the tomb. The angels informed Mary that Jesus was not here, but he would find her. As she turned to walk away Jesus met her in spiritual form and told her to tell the other disciples of his return and ultimate ascension.
When Jesus met the disciples they were unsure what had happened. One disciple in particular was doubtful, his name was Thomas. (Doubting Thomas).
When Jesus ascended to heaven, he did so in front of his disciples. After his ascension into the clouds his disciples were given instruction to carry on his work and may Peace be with them. He imparted the Holy Spirit in them to give them internal strength and power to carry on his work.
I hope you enjoyed this article and it gives you a deeper appreciation for Jesus sacrifice and God’s love for us. Also, maybe a better understanding of why Easter Holiday and Worship is so important to us and the entire World.
Take some time if you haven’t yet, and ask Jesus to come into your heart, and be your Lord and Savior. Repent of your sins, read the book of John in the New Testament, pray and meditate on God’s word.
I pray that you will find Jesus and let him in your heart. I promise you, it will be life changing. In Jesus name I pray. Amen and Amen.