Christianity - Celebrations - Easter

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(Isaiah chapter 53 verses 5 - 6).



Introduction
Isaiah wrote this prophecy about six hundred years before the birth of Jesus.

The events around Easter are usually celebrated on particular days. In many cases there are several accounts of the same event in the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John. To keep this summary succint only a few scriptures have been included the rest are referenced.
Thursday - the Lord's supper, Gethsemane, Jesus arrested, Peter Disowns Jesus.
Friday - Judas hangs himself, Jesus before Pilate, the soldiers mock Jesus the crucifixion the death of Jesus the burial of Jesus the guard at the tomb.
Sunday - the resurrection, the guards's report, the great commission.



Jesus Predicts His Death
From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." (Matthew chapter 16 verses 21 - 28)
John chapter 12 verses 20 - 36

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
Then one of the Twelve - the one called Judas Iscariot - went to the chief priests
and asked, "What are you willing to give me if I hand him over to you?" So they counted out for hime thirty silver coins.
From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over. (Matthew chapter 26 verses 14 - 16)
Luke chapter 22 verses 1 - 6

THURSDAY

The Lord's Supper
When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me."
They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"
"It is one of the Twelve," he replied, "one who dips bread in the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born."
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body."
Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it.
"This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. "I tell you the truth, I will not drink again the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."
When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. (Mark chapter 14 verses 17 - 26)
Mark chapter 14 verses 12 - 26
Luke chapter 22 verses 7 - 38

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
"You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written:"
"'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'
But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not."
I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today - yes, tonight - before the cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."
But Peter insisted emphatically, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you." And all the others said the same. (Mark chapter 14 verses 27 - 31)
Mark chapter 14 verses 27 - 31

Gethsemane
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray."
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.
Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
Going a little further, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."
He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible fo this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may you will be done."
When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and want away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
Then 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.
Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (Matthew chapter 26 verses 36 - 46)
Mark chapter 14 verses 32 - 42

Jesus Arrested
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. (Matthew chapter 26 verses 47 - 49)
Mark chapter 14 verses 43 - 52
Luke chapter 22 verses 47 - 53
John chapter 18 verses 1 - 11

Before the Sanhedrin
Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled.
But Peter had followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.
The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so taht they could put him to death.
But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.
Finally two came forward and declared, "This fellow said, 'I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.'"
The the chief priest stood up and said to Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?"
But Jesus remained silent.
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 spat in his face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Christ. Who hit you?" (Matthew chapter 26 verses 57 - 68
Mark chapter verses 53 - 65

Peter Disowns Jesus
Peter disowns Jesus despite his earlier promise.
Matthew chapter 26 verses 69 - 75)
Mark chapter 14 verses 66 - 72
Luke chapter 22 verses 54 - 62
John chapter 18 verses 15 - 27



FRIDAY

Judas Hangs Himself
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse...
Matthew chapter 27 verses 1 - 10


Jesus Before Pilate
Pilate was the Roman Governor. It was the governor's custom to release a prisoner on the feast so he led the crowd choose to release either Barabbas or Jesus. They chose Barabbas and called for Jesus to be crucified. Pilate had Jesus flogged then game him over to be crucified.
Matthew chapter 27 verses 11 - 26
Mark chapter 15 verses 1 - 15
John chapter 18 verses 28 - 40

The Soldiers Mock Jesus
Matthew chapter 27 verses 27 - 31
Mark chapter 15 verses 16 - 20
Luke chapter 22 verses 63 - 65

The Crucifixion
Matthew chapter 27 verses 32 - 44
Mark chapter 15 verses 21 - 32
Luke chapter 23 verses 26 - 43
John chapter 19 verses 16 - 27

The Death of Jesus
Matthew chapter 27 verses 45 - 56
Mark chapter 15 verses 33 - 41
Luke chapter 23 verses 44 - 49
John chapter 19 verses 28 - 37

The Burial of Jesus
Matthew chapter 27 verses 57 - 61
Mark chapter 15 verses 42 - 47
Luke chapter 23 verses 50 - 56
John chapter 19 verses 38 - 42

The Guard at the Tomb
Matthew chapter 27 verses 62 - 66



SUNDAY

The Resurrection
Matthew chapter 28 verses 1 - 10
Mark chapter 16 verses 1 - 20
Luke chapter 24 verses 1 - 12
John chapter 20 verses 1 - 9

The Guards' Report
Matthew chapter 28 verses 11 - 15

The Great Commission
Matthew chapter 28 verses 16 - 20



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