As Christians, we all know that Easter is a time of great joy and celebration. It’s not only the most important event in our faith but also what our faith is based on. 

Without Easter, we would not be able to have a direct relationship with God nor any hope for the future, we’d actually be dead in our sin living a life of no hope at all, but thanks to Jesus Christ, that is not our story. It’s so much different now.

As we reflect on the Easter story, we remember the ultimate sacrifice that Lord Jesus made for us, we remember the hope and salvation we have through Him. We feel great hope and joy as we remember that death is not the end and that through Jesus, we have the gift of eternal life. 

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the foundation of our faith and it is what sets Christianity apart from every other religion. Therefore, during this Easter season, we take time to remember and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. We gather with our loved ones and fellow believers in church to worship, listen to sermons, and participate in special activities that remind us of Jesus' sacrifice. As we do so, we are filled with gratitude and joy, knowing that through Jesus, we have a hope and a future. However, even with all the excitement around Easter, many don’t know where exactly in the Bible the Easter story is. In this blog, that is what we’ll be discussing.

Where To Read The Easter Story In The Bible

The Easter story can be found in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the New Testament of the Bible. These accounts take us on a journey with Jesus, starting with His last days in Jerusalem. We witness His arrest, trial, and ultimately His execution by crucifixion. We can feel the heartache and sorrow of His disciples, His mother, and His friends as they watch their leader, son, and friend painfully die on a cross. All accounts also record the beautiful and miraculous ending when on the third day, Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

The Gospel of Matthew 26:14-28:10, describes how Jesus was betrayed by one of His disciples, Judas, and how He was arrested and put on trial by the religious leaders. This gospel also describes the scenes of his crucifixion and the earthquake that occurred during His death. 

The Gospel of Mark 14:1-16:8, tells the same story of Jesus’ arrest and trial, along with His suffering and death. 

The Gospel of Luke 22:14-24:12, describes the details of the last supper, the arrest of Jesus, and the trial before the Roman governor. Luke also describes the crucifixion, the actions of the Roman soldiers, and the reactions of the women who witnessed the event. 

The Gospel of John 18:1-20:18 gives a different perspective on the trial of Jesus, His crucifixion, and the role of Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. It also records how Jesus’ resurrection was attested to by the disciples while including the appearances of Jesus after His resurrection.

All of these Gospels provide a detailed account of the events leading up to and including Jesus' resurrection, each author provides a unique perspective on the story, but all their accounts point to the same ultimate truth that Jesus rose from the dead. 

Reading the Bible account of the Easter story  can be a moving experience, providing insight into the sacrifices Jesus made for us, the love God has for us, and the hope of eternal life.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter Sunday. This day marks the Lord Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where he was celebrated by the people as a King. The event is described in the Gospels of Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44 and John 12:12-19. 

In these accounts, we read about Jesus riding on a donkey into Jerusalem, with a crowd of people spreading palm branches and clothing on the road before Him, and shouting "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!"

Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John all tell the story of the Lord Jesus Christ's entry into Jerusalem and the people's response, however, they also include details that distinguish one account from the other. For example, Luke describes how Jesus wept over the city, while John tells the story of some Greeks coming to see Jesus. 

This event is also foretold in the Old Testament in Zechariah 9:9, "See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." The prophecy highlights the humble nature of Jesus' entry and the true nature of His Kingship.

How knowing the importance of Palm Sunday can help us grow in our faith:

The celebration of Palm Sunday reminds us of the sacrifice and humility of Jesus, who despite His divinity, humbly entered the city riding on a donkey. The day also foreshadows the events of the following week, leading to the resurrection. It reminds us that the Lord Jesus Christ is the true King, the Messiah, and the savior of the world.

Reflecting on this occasion can help us to remember to put Jesus at the center of our lives and to follow Him in humility and servant-heartedness. It also helps us gain more in-depth knowledge of Jesus' nature as the Messiah and the events that took place during the last days of His life as well as how it leads to the Resurrection.

The Last Supper 

The Last Supper is the final meal that Jesus shared with His disciples before His arrest and crucifixion. This event is described in the Gospels of Matthew 26:17-30, Mark 14:12-25, and Luke 22:7-23. The Last Supper is significant for us because it marks the institution of the sacrament of Communion, also known as the Eucharist.

In Matthew's account, Jesus tells His disciples that one of them will betray Him and that He will be arrested and put to death. He also tells them that they will all desert him, but that He will rise again after three days. Jesus then shares bread and wine with His disciples, telling them that the bread represents His body and the wine represents His blood. He also tells them that they should do this often in memory of Him.
Mark's account is similar to Matthew's but it’s shorter, while Luke's account gives more emphasis on the celebration of the Passover, and on Jesus' teachings on how His followers should remember Him by this sharing of bread and wine.

How knowing the importance of The Last Supper can help us grow in our faith:

The Last Supper is a powerful reminder of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. By participating in Communion, we remember the body and blood of Jesus that was given for us. Communion also reminds us that we are part of the body of Christ and that we are to participate in the same sacrifice and love for one another, as Jesus taught His disciples. `

Reflecting on the last supper can help us deepen our understanding of the love and sacrifice of Jesus while growing in our love for Him, His teachings, and our fellow Christians. It also reminds us of our role in being a community of believers, the church, and our call to serve others.

Judas Betrays Jesus

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, is known for betraying Jesus. The betrayal is recorded in the Gospels of John 18:1-13, Luke 22:1-6, Luke 22:47-54, Matthew 26:47-56 and Mark 14:43-50. All accounts agree that Judas agreed to betray Jesus for a payment of thirty pieces of silver and that he identified Jesus to the authorities by kissing him.

In John's account, it is mentioned that Jesus already knew about the betrayal and that He freely allowed it to happen, He also gives the reason for it, saying "But this is your hour and the power of darkness." This highlights the sovereignty of God over even the betrayal of Jesus.

How knowing the importance of The Betrayal can help us grow in our faith:

The way Judas betrayed Jesus often serves as a reminder of the human tendency to put our own interests above others even at the cost of betraying those who love and trust us. It also shows us how sin and greed can lead us to make choices that hurt others and ourselves. 

Reflecting on Judas's betrayal can help us to grow in our faith by reminding us how important it is to be true to our commitments and be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of others. It also makes us more aware of our own potential for betrayal so we strive to avoid the temptations that led Judas to betray Jesus.

At the same time, the betrayal of Judas also highlights the incredible love and sacrifice of Jesus, who knew about the betrayal and yet still willingly went to the cross for our sake. Reflecting on the betrayal can help us better understand the depths of Jesus' love for us and the sacrifice He made for us. This will help us grow in our gratitude and love for Him.

Crucifixion of Jesus

The crucifixion of Jesus is the event in which Jesus was put to death by crucifixion. The accounts of His crucifixion can be found in the Gospels of Matthew 27:1-54, Mark 15:1-40, Luke 23:1-48, and John 19:1-30. These accounts describe the moments leading up to the crucifixion, the crucifixion itself, and the reactions of those who witnessed it.

Crucifixion was a Roman method of execution, typically reserved for slaves, criminals, and political enemies. The accounts of the Gospels describe how Jesus was arrested, put on trial, and sentenced to be crucified. He was then scourged, which was a method of whipping that could cause severe injury or death. After that, He was forced to carry His own cross to the place of execution, known as Golgotha. Jesus was then nailed to the cross and left to die under a sign that read "Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews."

How knowing the importance of The Crucifixion can help us grow in our faith:

The crucifixion of Jesus is the most significant moment in our faith because it is through His death and resurrection that humanity could have the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. It is through his sacrifice that we can now have a relationship with God. The crucifixion is also important because it serves as a powerful reminder of the depth of God's love for us That He would send His only Son to willingly die a brutal death for our sake.

Reflecting on the crucifixion can help us to grow in our faith by deepening our understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus while increasing our gratitude and love for Him, and helping us comprehend the gravity of our sins and the true cost of salvation. It also helps us to gain wisdom on the importance of forgiveness, which Jesus exemplified by forgiving those who crucified him. Furthermore, it challenges us to live a life of sacrifice, as Jesus did, for the sake of others and for the glory of God.

Resurrection of Jesus

The resurrection of Jesus is the amazing day on which Jesus rose from the dead after His crucifixion. The accounts of the resurrection can be found in the Gospels of Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20. These accounts describe the reactions of the disciples, the empty tomb, and the appearance of Jesus to His followers after His resurrection.

In Matthew's account, an angel of the Lord descends from heaven and rolls away the stone from the tomb. The guards who were posted at the tomb shake and become like dead men because of the angel. The angel then announces that Jesus has risen from the dead. 

In Mark's account, he describes how Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the tomb and found it empty. In Luke's account, two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them and announced that Jesus had risen from the dead. 

In John's account, Mary Magdalene goes to the tomb early in the morning and finds it empty, then Jesus appears to her. 

How knowing the importance of The Resurrection can help us grow in our faith:

The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our faith, it confirms that Jesus is truly the Son of God and that his death was sufficient to atone for all of our sins. It also displays the power that Jesus has over death and gives the promise of eternal life to all who believe in Him.

Reflecting on the resurrection of Jesus can help us deepen our understanding of the hope and salvation that we have through Him. This event reminds us that death is not the end and that through Jesus, we have the gift of eternal life. It also reminds us of the power and authority of Jesus, that He conquered death and rose victorious. It gives us the assurance of eternal life, confidence in the promise of salvation, and the will to live in the hope of the Resurrection, as we strive to follow Jesus, and bring glory to God.

Final Thought On The Bible Easter Story

The Easter story provides a clear and emotional account of Jesus' death and resurrection, each author provides a unique perspective on the story, but all point to the same ultimate truth that Jesus died for our sins and rose again for our victory.

The story also offers a deeper understanding of the love, sacrifice, and hope that Jesus has given us. Palm Sunday, The Last Supper, the Betrayal of Judas, the Crucifixion of Jesus, and the Resurrection are all parts of the story that make us reflect on the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the love God has for us, and the hope of eternal life.

Remember, the Easter story is not just an event of the past but also a present reality. It still shapes our faith and gives us the hope to face the challenges of life today. By reflecting on the Easter story, we’re reminded that we are not alone and that because of Jesus, we never will be.

About the Author: 

Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams.  In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at  www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2

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