Resurrection Day

All to often people associate Easter with the suffering of Christ during the Crucifixion, instead of the purpose of Christ life, death, and resurrection. Christians do not “celebrate” the death of Christ on Easter, because we know that Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus. It is this unselfish sacrifice we celebrate, our new birth into a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) through Christ resurrection.

This Easter I challenge all of us to walk with Christ and celebrate his Resurrection and our new birth.

May the Peace of the Lord Be with You.

Time Line: The Last Supper, Crucification, and Resurrection:

Preceding Events

• The Last Supper
  (Matthew 26:20-30; Mark 14:17-26; Luke 22:14-38; John 13:21-30)
• In the Garden of Gethsemane
  (Matthew 26:36-46; Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22:39-45)
• Jesus is Betrayed and Arrested
  (Matthew 26:47-56; Mark 14:43-52; Luke 22:47-53; John 18:1-11)
• The Religious Leaders Condemn Jesus
  (Matthew 27:1-2; Mark 15:1; Luke 22:66-71)

6 a.m.

• Jesus Stands Trial Before Pilate
  (Matthew 27:11-14; Mark 15:2-5; Luke 23:1-5; John 18:28-37)
• Jesus Sent to Herod
  (Luke 23:6-12)

7 a.m.

• Jesus Returned to Pilate
  (Luke 23:11)
• Jesus is Sentenced to Death
  (Matthew 27:26; Mark 15:15; Luke 23:23-24; John 19:16)

8 a.m.

• Jesus is Led Away to Calvary
  (Matthew 27:32-34; Mark 15:21-24; Luke 23:26-31; John 19:16-17)

The Crucifixion

9 a.m. - "The Third Hour"

• Jesus is Crucified on the Cross

• Mark 15: 25 - It was the third hour when they crucified him. he third hour in Jewish time would have been 9 a.m.

Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do now know what they are doing."

• The Soldiers Cast Lots for Jesus' Clothing
  (Mark 15:24)

10 a.m.

• Jesus is Insulted and Mocked

Matthew 27:39-40 - And the people passing by shouted abuse, shaking their heads in mockery. "So! You can destroy the Temple and build it again in three days, can you? Well then, if you are the Son of God, save yourself and come down from the cross!"

Mark 15:31 - The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. "He saved others," they scoffed, "but he can't save himself!"

Luke 23:36-37 - The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. They called out to him, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!"

Luke 23:39 - One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!"

11 a.m.

• Jesus and the Criminal

Luke 23:40-43 - 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."

• Jesus Speaks to Mary and John

John 19:26-27 - When Jesus saw his mother standing there beside the disciple he loved, he said to her, "Woman, he is your son." And he said to this disciple, "She is your mother." And from then on this disciple took her into his home.

Noon - "The Sixth Hour"

• Darkness Covers the Land

Mark 15:33 - At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

1 p.m.

• Jesus Cries Out to the Father

Matthew 27:46 - And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” that is, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

• Jesus is Thirsty

John 19:28-29 - Jesus knew that everything was now finished, and to fulfill the Scriptures he said, "I am thirsty."A jar of sour wine was sitting there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put it on a hyssop branch, and held it up to his lips.

2 p.m.

• It is Finished

John 19:30a - When Jesus had tasted it, he said, "It is finished!"

Luke 23:46 - Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last.

3 p.m. - "The Ninth Hour"

Events Following Jesus' Death

• The Earthquake

Matthew 27:51-52 - At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life.

• The Centurion - "Surely he was the Son of God!"
  (Matthew 27:54; Mark 15:38; Luke 23:47)
• The Soldiers Break the Thieves' Legs
  (John 19:31-33)
• The Soldier Pierces Jesus Side
  (John 19:34)
• Jesus is Laid in the Tomb
  (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42)
• Jesus Rises from the Dead
  (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-9)

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die