With Easter bunnies, chocolate eggs and baskets full of goodies, it’s easy to lose focus on the Christian symbolism of the holiday. While Easter is both a secular and religious holiday, it is one of the most important dates in the Christian calendar. Easter is the time the Christian church celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The resurrection is the basis or crux of the entire Christian religion. Without the resurrection, there is no forgiveness for sins, no eternal life to look forward to and no proof that Jesus Christ was God’s son.
Teaching children the importance of Easter is one of the most essential lessons in the Christian faith. Whether
in the home, a Christian school or in the church setting, ensuring children understand the meaning of Easter will help make certain they understand the Christian faith.
Easter is a time of happiness and joy as it is the celebration of new life in the risen Jesus Christ. It is observed by Christians worldwide and is associated with different customs and traditions. Easter begins with Jesus’ journey to Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish holiday Passover. It was on this journey that Jesus made the “Triumphal Entry.” Two of Jesus’ friends sent for a donkey and as Jesus rode the donkey through Jerusalem, people waved palm branches and shouted praise. This was one of the first times that a large crowd publicly gathered and honored Jesus as the Messiah. They shouted “Hosanna” and honored King Jesus by singing portions of Psalm 118. Because the people waved palm branches, the Sunday before Easter is known as “Palm Sunday.” Riding a donkey was a symbol of peace where as entering a city on a horse often symbolized a time of war.
As Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, he showed himself as the King of Peace. Palm Sunday marks the week of Jesus Christ’s “Passion” that culminates in the crucifixion and resurrection. When the Jewish leaders saw the people’s love and praise for Jesus, they became angered and began plotting to arrest and kill him. Jesus’ Triumphal Entry took place before Judas Iscariot’s betrayal, the Last Supper and the crucifixion.
Judas Iscariot was a close friend and disciple of Jesus. The Jewish priests and religious leaders plotted to arrest and kill Jesus and they paid Judas 30 pieces of silver if he would lead them to Jesus. Judas agreed to the plan and told the leaders that when the time was right, he would give Jesus a kiss on the cheek, and that would be the signal for them to come and arrest him. Jesus had done nothing wrong, had broken no laws and committed no crime, yet he would be arrested and sentenced to death.
On the Thursday following the Triumphal Entry, Jesus and 12 of his disciples were enjoying a meal. This is called the Last Supper and is depicted in many paintings and works of art. During the Last Supper, Jesus told his followers that he would be arrested, sentenced to death and then resurrect. He also said that one of his disciples, someone who was enjoying the meal with them, would betray him. Jesus did not say that it was Judas, as the disciples began to speak amongst themselves, wondering who would ever betray Jesus. Knowing what was to come, Jesus instituted the first communion service. He took bread, broke it in half, and told his disciples that the bread represented his body. He told them to eat and said the bread represented his body. He said when they ate it they should remember Him. He also took a glass of wine and said it was symbolic of his blood. Likewise, he told his disciples to drink the wine and remember him.
That night, Jesus and his disciples were in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew that he would soon be nailed to a cross. As the crucifixion neared, Jesus began to devote himself to fervent prayer. He asked his friends to stay awake and pray with him, but they went to sleep. Jesus continued praying when all of a sudden; Judas and a group of sword carrying men were there. Judas greeted Jesus with a kiss and the soldiers arrested him. In the midst of the melee, Peter drew his sword and cut off one of the soldier’s ear. Jesus rebuked Peter for his actions, touched the soldier and his ear was healed.
As Peter seemed willing to fight for the death to save Jesus, he would soon deny him. At the Last Supper, Jesus said that Peter would deny him three times before a rooster crowed, and that one of his disciples would betray him with a kiss. After Judas betrayed Jesus and he was arrested, Peter joined the crowd who watched as the Jewish leaders interrogated Jesus. Someone asked Peter three times if he was Jesus’ disciple. Peter denied knowing Jesus three times, and then the rooster crowed. When Peter realized what he had done, he cried.
The religious leaders put Jesus on trial but couldn’t find anything to charge him with. Finally, they asked Jesus if he was the Son of God, or the Messiah. Jesus answered that he was by saying, “I am.” He also said that they would see Jesus sitting at the right hand of God. The Jewish leaders had their angle. They charged Jesus with blasphemy and ordered he be taken to Pilate for sentencing.
Pilate had a dream about Jesus and didn’t find him guilty of committing a crime worthy of a death sentence. Still, the Jewish leaders and people wanted Jesus to be put to death. The crowd shouted for Pilate to give clemency to a murderer named Barabbas and to kill Jesus instead. Pilate washed his hands stating he believed Jesus was innocent, but gave the people what they wanted. Barabbas was set free and Jesus was condemned to death on the cross.
One week earlier, Jesus was hailed the Messiah as he made his Triumphal Entry, now; soldiers led Jesus away, placed a crown of thorns on his head and clothed him with a purple robe. The people mocked Jesus and made fun of him. His head was bleeding from the thorns and the soldiers placed a wooden cross on his back and told him to carry it to a place called Golgotha. People had different reactions as Jesus made his way up Calvary’s hill. Some continued to laugh, mock and taunt Jesus while others were heartbroken and cried. Jesus was then placed on the cross while it was placed in the ground. He still wore the crown of thorns while his feet and hands were nailed to the wood. Jesus was on the cross between two thieves. One of the men mocked Jesus while the other rebuked him and said Jesus was innocent. Jesus told the man that he would be with him in paradise.
While Jesus was on the cross dying, his mother and disciples joined those who watched. Jesus spoke to the disciple John and told him to take care of his mother. At noon, the sky grew dark and Jesus was heard crying out saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me.” Jesus then said that he committed his spirit into God’s hands, and then died. After Jesus died, there was an earthquake and the veil in the Jewish temple ripped in two. Many people saw these things and became afraid. Some remarked that Jesus truly was the Son of God.
Mary, Jesus’ mother, and several of those who loved Jesus waited until Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross. They placed Jesus’ body in a tomb and sealed it with a rock. Leaders knew of the prophecies that Jesus would rise from the dead and Roman soldiers were placed in front of the tomb to guard it. They feared Jesus’ disciples would steal Jesus’ body then claim he resurrected.
Two days after Jesus’ crucifixion, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and found the large stone had been rolled away. Upon further investigation, it was learned that Jesus’ body was gone. Mary left immediately and found Peter and John to let them know that Jesus’ body was gone. While on her way, a man approached her. He asked why she was upset and Mary told him that Jesus’ body was gone and she didn’t know where he was. The man looked at Mary and told her that he was Jesus. She realized he was telling the truth and then she ran to tell the others that Jesus was alive. When she told the others, the disciple Thomas refused to believe it was true.
Jesus later appeared to the other disciples. At one point, he appeared to some of the disciples while they were fishing. He even ate fish with them. He appeared to Thomas who wouldn’t believe that Jesus was alive unless he touched the nail prints in his hands. Thomas did touch Jesus’ scarred hands and believed that he rose from the dead.
Jesus stayed with his disciples for 40 days after the resurrection. Many people saw him and testified they watched as two angels appeared and Jesus rose in the air and returned to heaven. Before he left, he told his disciples to spread the Gospel and said he would one day return to earth.
Without Jesus’ resurrection, the Christian faith would be meaningless. It is because of faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection that there are millions of Christians worldwide.