Easter Story - The JAM Trust

The Easter Story

Below is an account of the events which are described in the Bible from the Sunday before Jesus’ crucifixion until his ascension to heaven 40 days after his resurrection.

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Palm Sunday

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Palm Sunday is the day Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on a donkey.

Jesus had become well known for performing miracles and teaching the people about God. When he arrived in Jerusalem the people came to meet him, shouting ‘Hosanna’, meaning ‘Save’.

They spread branches from palm trees on the road and that’s why we call it Palm Sunday.

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The Last Supper

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The Last Supper is the last time Jesus ate with his disciples before he was arrested.

Jesus asked his disciples to arrange this meal. It was called the Passover meal. Jesus taught his disciples many important things that evening.

Jesus broke the bread and drank from the cup, passing it to his disciples. He said “Do this in rememberance of me”. The bread and the wine represent Jesus’ body and blood, and when Christians take ‘communion’ they remember that Jesus died on the cross so that we may have forgiveness.

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The Arrest

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Jesus went to the Garden of Gethsemane after the last supper. He took some of his disciples with him and told them to keep watch because he knew he was going to be arrested. His disciple, Judas, had gone to the Jewish leaders to betray him.

Judas led a crowd armed with swords and clubs and included soldiers sent from the Jewish leaders.

Judas had arranged a signal for them; he would kiss the one they were to arrest. This was a traditional greeting.

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The Trial

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After Jesus was arrested he was taken to the high priest and the Jewish judges. They couldn’t find anything to charge him with and finally found him guilty of blasphemy because he said he was the Christ, God’s Son. Then the guards took him and beat him.

Then Jesus was sent to the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to be tried and sentenced. Pilate couldn’t find any reason to execute Jesus, as the Jewish leaders wanted, but he wanted to please the crowd so he handed Jesus over to be crucified.

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To Golgotha

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Jesus was whipped and beaten. A crown of thorns was placed on his head and they mocked him, calling out “Hail, king of the Jews!”

He was made to carry a heavy wooden cross and led to the hill called Golgotha.

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Simon of Cyrene

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Jesus had been whipped and beaten and was very weak, so he was struggling to carry the heavy wooden cross. A passer-by named Simon, from Cyrene, was forced to carry the cross for him.

Golgotha, otherwise known as Calvary, means ‘the place of the skull’. This is where Jesus was led to be crucified.

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Nailed to the Cross

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Jesus was crucified by nailing his hands and feet to the cross. A note was placed on the top of the cross which said, ‘This is Jesus, the King of the Jews’.

Two other men, both criminals, were crucified beside him; one on his right and one on his left. One of them mocked Jesus, but the other knew he deserved to be punished and asked Jesus to remember him in his kingdom.

“Today you will be with me in paradise.” replied Jesus.

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The Crucifixion

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Jesus suffered on the cross for about six hours. During the last three hours there was darkness over the land while his suffering was at its greatest.

Finally, he cried out, “It is finished”. Then, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”

Then he died.

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Jesus' Burial

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A rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, asked Pilate for Jesus’ body.

Joseph wrapped the body in a linen cloth with spices and placed it in his own new tomb which was carved out of rock.

A large stone was rolled into place to seal the tomb and a guard was posted at the entrance.

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The Resurrection

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On the third day, the Sunday morning, the women went to the tomb with spices. But they found that the stone was rolled away and the body of Jesus was gone!

An angel, with an appearance like lightening, said to the women, “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said”.

The women ran and told the disciples what had happened, and later Jesus appeared to them and showed them his wounds so they would believe.

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The Ascension

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40 days after Jesus’ resurrection, he ascended to heaven. This was witnessed by the disciples and the details were recorded by Mark and Luke.

The Bible says that he is now the exalted Son of God, seated at the right hand of the Father.

Matthew 21:1-3

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, "Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away."

Matthew 21:6-8

The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them. They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

Matthew 21:9-11

The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted,
"Hosanna to the Son of David!"
"Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
"Hosanna in the highest!"
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, "Who is this?"
The crowds answered, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.

Luke 22:7,8

Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover".

Mark 14:17-24

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 into 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."

Mark 14:32-37

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping.

Mark 14:39-50

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him.
Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"
Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: "The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard."
Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, "Rabbi!" and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him. Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear."
"Am I leading a rebellion," said Jesus, "that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled." Then everyone deserted him and fled.

Mark 14:55-65

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: "We heard him say, 'I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.'" Yet even then their testimony did not agree.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, "Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?" But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer.
Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
"I am" said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" They all condemned him as worthy of death.

Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, "Prophesy!" And the guards took him and beat him.

Mark 15:1-15

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate.

"Are you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate.
"Yes, it is as you say" Jesus replied.
The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, "Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of." But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.
"Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.

"What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.
"Crucify him!" they shouted. "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Mark 15:16-20

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!"

Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

Mark 15:21-24

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross.

They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.
And they crucified him.

Luke 23:32-43

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left.

Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One."

The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, "If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself." There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS"

One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong."

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."

Mark 15:33-36

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" - which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, he's calling Elijah." One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down" he said.

John 19:30

When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished."
With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Mark 15:38-39

The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

Matthew 27:57-66

As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him.

Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate.

"Sir," they said, "we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.'
"So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first."
"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how."

So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.
In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!
"Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 'The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'"
Then they remembered his words.

When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.

John 20:11-16

Mary stood outside the tomb crying. She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.
"Woman," he said, "why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?"

Thinking he was the gardener, she said, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him."

Jesus said to her, "Mary."
She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, "Rabboni!" (which means Teacher)."