Nowadays, Easter may be seen as a great time to spend time with family because of the days off. You should spend time with your family and have fun, but that’s not all Easter’s origin is about. Easter’s not just about the Easter egg hunt and some other fun celebrations, it’s also about Jesus’ resurrection and his sacrifice for us.
Summary of the Easter Celebration
The event of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ confirms Jesus Christ’s divinity and the truthfulness of his teachings. It also proves God’s love and mercy for humans even though we often sin and make mistakes.
According to the Gospel of John, Jesus was crucified on Good Friday. After he was crucified, Jesus’ body was buried in a garden in Golgotha. The following Sunday, three days after Easter, he was resurrected. God’s power to destroy death and bring new life is demonstrated through the Resurrection, a miraculous event that can’t be explained.
History
Why was Jesus crucified?
Jesus claimed that he was the Son of God and the Messiah, which posed a danger to both religious and political rulers at the time. The Jewish officials of the day considered Jesus a liar attacking the established religious order, and they saw his teachings as acts to weaken their authority.
Back in the day, the Roman rulers who were calling the shots in Judea were feeling threatened by Jesus. They thought that he was becoming too popular and might cause a lot of trouble. Plus, his teachings were a real challenge to their power. The whole situation led up to Jesus getting arrested, put on trial, and killed. The Jewish and Roman authorities were both involved. According to the Gospels, Jesus got caught and brought before the high priest, who accused him of saying stuff that was against the rules. Then, he was brought in front of Pontius Pilate, who was the Roman ruler at the time, and Pilate decided that Jesus was trying to start a revolt. He ordered Jesus to be killed by crucifixion.
Stations of the Cross – What Jesus went through before getting crucified
The Stations of the Cross is a powerful and symbolic picture of Jesus’ final hours on earth and are an essential part of Christian spiritual practice throughout Lent and Holy Week. Each station reflects a separate event in Jesus’ journey to the cross from his conviction to his death and burial. Christians are asked to meditate on Jesus’ suffering and sacrifice by reflecting on these events, enhancing their faith and dedication to following his teachings.
The first station of the Cross: Jesus is condemned to death
This station was about the moment when Jesus was condemned to death by the Roman authorities. He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane when Judas turned Jesus in to the Roman authorities. After being arrested, Jesus was taken to the Roman governor at that time, Pontius Pilate. Even though Pilate questioned Jesus and found no grounds for conviction, the Jewish leaders said that Jesus had to be put to death and they pressured Pilate to do so. They said that he was showing disloyalty to the Roman emperor if he would not order Jesus to be crucified. Pilate was indecisive, but in the end, he ordered Jesus to be crucified, which is the most brutal way of execution. This was only the beginning of Jesus’ journey of suffering for us.
Second Station of the Cross: Jesus carries his cross
Before being crucified, Jesus had to carry his cross to the place where he would be crucified. The Roman authorities beat Jesus with a whip. He also had to walk through a crowd that mocked and ridiculed him. While he was carrying his cross, the soldiers that were walking beside him were also taunting and jeering at him.
Third Station of the Cross: Jesus falls for the first time
Due to exhaustion both mentally and physically, he stumbled and fell for the first time. Jesus had to carry the heavy cross to his execution site while being abused by the Roman soldiers. When he fell to the ground, not only did the soldiers not help him, but they also kicked him and told Jesus to get up and continue his journey to the site of the execution.
Fourth Station of the Cross: Jesus meets his mother, Mary
As he made his way through the crowded streets of Jerusalem, Jesus encountered his mother, Mary. This encounter was likely a painful and emotional moment for both of them, as Mary watched her son suffer and knew that he was headed toward his death.
Fifth Station of the Cross: Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry his cross
As Jesus struggled to carry the cross, the Roman soldiers enlisted the help of Simon of Cyrene, a bystander who was compelled to carry the cross for Jesus. He also seemed to have sympathy for Jesus as he helped him.
Sixth Station of the Cross: Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
In a moment of compassion, a woman named Veronica stepped forward and wiped the sweat and blood from Jesus’ face with a cloth. According to tradition, this act left an imprint of Jesus’ face on the cloth, which became known as the Veil of Veronica. This action Veronica was also really kind because the Romans were known for their brutality, which was risking her own life for Jesus.
Seventh Station of the Cross: Jesus falls the second time
This was the second time that Jesus fell because of the weak condition he was in. Even with the crowd and the Roman soldiers mistreating him, he was still able to get up and continue his journey to the site of his execution.
Eighth Station of the Cross: Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
When Jesus was making his way to the site of the punishment that he had to face even though he was innocent, he encountered a group of women from Jerusalem. These women had come to mourn the fate of Jesus as he was being led to his crucifixion. This made Jesus acknowledge both the emotional and spiritual pain of the people that cared for him, and also the attention to the injustices that led to his execution.
Ninth Station of the Cross: Jesus falls the third time
This was the last time Jesus fell before he was crucified. He faced lots of exhaustion and pain but was still able to continue his journey to Calvary. After he fell, he rose to his feet again and continued.
Tenth Station of the Cross: Jesus is stripped of his garments
When Jesus arrived at the site of the crucifixion, the Roman soldiers stripped off Jesus’ clothes, and this was an act of humiliation.
Eleventh Station of the Cross: Jesus is nailed to the cross
Even after he had to endure a tough journey to the site of the cross, he had to be executed brutally. The nails went through Jesus’ hands and feet, piercing through his skin to the cross, causing an immense amount of pain. As he hung off the cross, he struggled to breathe and there was weight pulling down on his outstretched arms and his tightened chest. Despite the pain and suffering that Jesus had to encounter, he was able to show compassion and forgiveness to the people that was harming him. He was praying for his executioners, and he said: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).
Twelfth Station of the Cross: Jesus dies on the cross
After enduring hours of agony on the cross, the Gospel of John, says that Jesus cried out, “It is finished,” and died. This shows how much pain Jesus went through for us, from the intense suffering to the humiliations he had to face.
Thirteenth Station of the Cross: Jesus is taken down from the cross
After his death, Jesus’ body was taken down from the cross and placed in the arms of his mother, Mary. This was a moment of deep sorrow and mourning for those who loved Jesus.
Fourteenth Station of the Cross: Jesus is laid in the tomb
Jesus’ body was then laid in a tomb, where it remained until his Resurrection on Easter Sunday. This moment marks the end of the Passion narrative and the beginning of the Easter story, as Jesus triumphantly rises from the dead, offering hope and salvation to all who believe in him.
Good Friday
Good Friday is a significant day in the Christian faith, which commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ. Christians observe this day with solemnity and respect. It reflects on Jesus’ sacrifice and legacy of love and service. Many people around the world engage in acts of service and charity to honor Jesus’ sacrifice and continue his mission of spreading kindness to others. Good Friday is a day of deep meaning and reflection for Christians worldwide. This day reminds them of Jesus’ love for humanity, and also the hope and redemption he offers to believers.
Easter Sunday
Easter Sunday is an important day for Christians because it commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection three days after his crucifixion. It is a joyful and festive moment. This holiday is observed by church services, hymn singing, and greetings. Easter is a time when families and friends get together to eat meals and exchange Easter eggs, which represent fresh life.
The resurrection of Jesus is seen as the greatest proof of God’s power and love for humanity. It conveys a message of redemption and optimism that has been honored for over two millennia. Christians ponder the meaning of this occurrence and reaffirm their trust in God’s promise of eternal life.
Easter Sunday also represents the arrival of spring and the renewal of nature in many cultures. It is a time of renewal as the world emerges from winter’s darkness and cold into the spring that is full of warmth and light. Many flowers such as lilies are used to decorate churches and homes, symbolizing the triumph of hope over despair and the renewal of life.
Easter Sunday not only holds deep meaning and celebration for Christians globally that helps them to remember the sacrifice, resurrection of Jesus Christ, and renewing faith, but it also welcomes spring and new life.
Activities to do during Easter
There are many ways to celebrate Easter, as it is the time of the beginning of Spring and also the time when Jesus was resurrected. Here are some activities that people do during Easter
Attend church services: Many people attend church services on Easter Sunday to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a time for worship, reflection, and fellowship with others in the faith community.
Decorate Easter eggs: Decorating eggs is a popular activity for families during Easter. It’s a fun way to express creativity and symbolize new life and rebirth.
Have an Easter egg hunt: An Easter egg hunt is a fun activity for kids and adults alike. Hiding and searching for Easter eggs filled with treats or surprises is a tradition that has been around for centuries.
Bake Easter treats: Many people bake Easter treats such as hot cross buns, Easter bread, and Easter cakes as a way to celebrate the holiday with family and friends.
Give Easter baskets: Giving Easter baskets filled with candy, small toys, and other goodies is a fun way to spread Easter and celebrate the arrival of spring.
Watch Easter-themed movies: Many families watch movies such as “The Passion of the Christ,” “The Ten Commandments,” and “Ben-Hur”. It can be a way to reflect on the meaning of Easter and the life of Jesus Christ.
Volunteer or donate to charity: Easter is a time of giving, and many people choose to volunteer or donate to charity during this holiday. It’s a way to show compassion and kindness to others, as well as to honor the spirit of the season.
Summary
Easter is used to remember Jesus and the sacrifices he did for us. It allows people from all over the world to come together and celebrate. It is also a great time to connect with your family through different activities. Even though there are lots of religious customs/marks that people celebrate Easter with, all of them have a significant meaning of companionship, benevolence, and resilience.
