The Easter Story

The Last Supper

The Easter story really begins in the upper room when the disciples and Jesus Christ enjoyed the Last Supper, which was the Passover meal. As he broke bread with his disciples, Jesus announced that one of them would betray him. They all asked "Is it I?" Jesus indicated that it was Judas Iscariot, who then left the group. When they were done eating, they sang a hymn and left for the Mount of Olives, where Jesus prayed, "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matthew 26:39).

While Jesus and his followers were praying and sleeping in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas came with a crowd carrying swords and staves to arrest Jesus. He showed the chief priests which man was Jesus with a kiss. Jesus was arrested and led away, while his disciples scattered.

The Crucifixion

In the morning, Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, the governor of Jerusalem, to be tried. Pilate could find no fault in him, but the chief priests demanded that he be crucified because he claimed to be God, which they viewed as blaspheme. Pilate offered to release one prisoner to the crowd, asking them whether they wanted Jesus or a murderer named Barabbas. The priests incited the crowd against Christ, causing them to choose Barabbas. When Pilate asked what he should do with Jesus, the crowd yelled, "Crucify him!" Pilate relented, turning Jesus over for crucifixion. Jesus was led to Golgotha, where he was crucified.

Jesus Dies and Is Buried

Jesus was crucified between two thieves. The Bible states that darkness fell on the land between the sixth and ninth hours. During this time, the sins of the world were placed on Jesus, and the Father turned his back on his Son. At the ninth hour, Jesus cried, "It is finished," and died. His followers asked for his body and placed it in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea. He was buried quickly, because the following day was the Sabbath. A stone was rolled in front of the tomb, which was watched by guards.

Jesus Is Risen

On the third day, two women came to anoint Jesus' body, but when they arrived, they found the Angel of the Lord sitting on the stone. The guards were on the ground as if they were dead. The women were frightened, but the angel assured them by saying "Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay" (Matthew 28:5-7). The women looked, and Jesus was gone. They ran to tell the disciples, who also confirmed that the tomb was empty.

In the days that followed the resurrection, Jesus appeared in his resurrected body before all of the disciples. He instructed them to tell his story to all people before being taken back to Heaven. By rising from the dead, Jesus defeated sin and death, offering his followers the gift of forgiveness for their sins and eternal life in heaven.

For more information about Easter, visit these links:

The Story of Easter

Why Easter?

The Easter Story King James Version

The Meaning of Easter