The Easter Story: Do You Know What Jesus Did for You?
This Easter, I want to encourage you to look to Jesus. I want to show you that he is the Son of God. He is the Savior of the world, and he made a way for all people to find forgiveness so that they can come back into a relationship with God and share eternity with him.
Quick prayer: Dear Father. Today, I ask you to reveal the true meaning of Easter to us. Jesus, thank you for what you did on the cross for us. I ask you to touch our hearts and that you fill us with hope as we look at The Easter Story and at what you did for us. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Check out these other powerful Easter messages:
The Easter Story
The week leading up to Easter was crazy. On Sunday, Jesus came riding into town on a donkey. The crowds lined the road. They celebrated and praised him. “HOSANNA!”
A few days later, ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE. The same crowd that was praising Jesus on Palm Sunday and wanted to take him as King was now baying for his blood, shouting, “CRUCIFY HIM! CRUCIFY HIM!”
God sent Jesus to be the Savior of the World
Jesus was born as a baby. At his birth, the devil thought, “If I could get rid of Him, I would win the battle.”
King Herod had tried to kill all the young babies, with the sole aim of “getting rid of” the newborn Savior Messiah. But God gave Mary and Joseph a vision to flee to safety in Egypt.
When Jesus had grown up and started his ministry, he was baptized in the River Jordan. The Holy Spirit came upon Jesus, and he was then led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit for 40 days. During this time of prayer and fasting, the devil tried to get Jesus to sell his soul to him. Jesus rejected this attack.
The devil thought if he could kill Jesus, that he would win the battle. Little did the devil know that this was all part of God’s plan for Jesus to die on the cross, to pay the full price for sin so that all people could be free and come back into a relationship with God.
We fall short of God’s standard. God is Holy. He can’t mix with sin. So, God sent Jesus, His Son, to be our redeemer and liberator. He is The Savior. Jesus came to pay the price for sin so that we could come back to God.
He came as the pure, spotless Lamb of God and gave his life on the cross so that we could have eternal life and we could be reconnected to God.
The lead-up to the Cross
I want to look at the events leading up to the cross briefly…
In the weeks leading up to the cross, I don’t know if you are aware of it, but Jesus told his followers at least four times that He was going to die but that He would rise on the third day…
In Mark 8:31 it says, “Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
In Mark 9:9, Jesus told his disciples “… not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
In Mark 9:30-33, Jesus told his disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”
In Mark 10:33-35, Jesus said, “Listen,” we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
Even at the last supper, Jesus told His disciples that he was about to die for the sins of mankind…
In Mark 14:22, it says, “As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it into pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take it, for this is my body.”
And then he continued in verses 23 to 24, “And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And he said to them, “This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice for many.”
I find it incredible that Jesus shared exactly what was about to happen, even before anyone knew God’s plan.
Jesus then went to the garden of Gethsemane. Can you imagine the stress? He knew he was about to be brutally beaten and whipped and that he was going to be tortured and left to die on the cross.
Jesus’s soul was in anguish.
In Mark 14:34, Jesus said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death.
Jesus then cried out (verse 36) to His Heavenly Father, “Abba Father, everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Jesus could have walked away from what was about to happen, BUT He loved us too much!
We are told that Jesus was then arrested, falsely accused, and condemned to death on the cross.
In Mark 14:65, it says, “Then some of them began to spit at him, and they blindfolded him and beat him with their fists. “Prophesy to us,” they jeered. And the guards slapped him as they took him away.”
Early the next morning, Jesus was bound and taken to Pilate, the Roman Governor. Jesus was falsely accused of many crimes, but He said nothing.
Isaiah 53:7-9, written hundreds of years before this event, records a prophecy about the coming Messiah. It says that he would be “oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned, he was led away. But he was struck down for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong and had never deceived anyone.”
Back to the events leading to Jesus being crucified on the cross: At Passover, each year, one prisoner would be released.
In Mark 15:9-13, Pilate asked, “Would you like me to release to you this ‘King of the Jews’?” Pilate asked. (For he realized by now that the leading priests had arrested Jesus out of envy) But at this point, the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus. Pilate asked them, “Then what should I do with this man you call the king of the Jews?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!”
The most demonic onslaught ever took place that day. The enemy thought he was about to win the battle for the souls of mankind, but little did he know that God’s plan was being carried out.
God knew that without the shedding of blood, there would be no forgiveness for you and I. Jesus, the Savior of the world, was being led like a lamb to the slaughter so that we could be free.
Pilate was shocked at what was happening.
In Mark 15:14, he asked, “Why?” Pilate demanded, “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!” So to pacify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.”
Barabbas was a bad man. He had brought destruction. What had Jesus done? He had healed the sick and delivered the oppressed. He had offered hope and life to the down and out, but he was led away like a criminal.
They stripped Jesus naked, and they flogged him. He took 39 lashes on his back. In those days, the whips were laced with shells, bone, and lead. Each lash would have dug deep into his back and would have ripped into Jesus’ skin. His back would have looked like a plowed field after the 39 lashes. Many never survived a Roman flogging. But Jesus allowed this to happen so that we could go free.
Isaiah 52:14, written hundreds of years before, shows how the Messiah’s “appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and his form marred beyond human likeness.”
Isaiah 53:5 also shows how the coming Messiah would be “pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”
Jesus took the beating for our peace. He took the lashes so that we could be made whole.
After being flogged, Jesus was turned over to the brutal Roman soldiers.
In Mark 15:15-20 it says that Jesus was “then turned over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified.”
The entire regiment was there. “They dressed him in a purple robe.” They put a “crown of thorns” on his head. They “taunted” Jesus. They “hit” him. They “spat” at him. They “mocked” him. Beaten, bloodied, broken, and utterly exhausted, they “led him away to be crucified.”
Jesus was humiliated. Spat on. Beaten. Mocked. But Jesus went through all this for you and me because he knew there was no other way for us to be restored to a relationship with God.
The Crucifixion
Mark 15:22 says, “And they brought Jesus to a place called Golgotha. (which means “Place of the Skull”)
Then, the soldiers nailed him to the cross. It was nine o’clock in the morning when they crucified him. A sign announced the charge against him. It read, “The King of the Jews.”
Jesus took the nails for you and me. Can you see the underserved love and kindness? He was prepared to suffer greatly. He was paying the price for our sins and wrongdoings.
On the Cross
In Mark 15:33, it says, “At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock.”
Jesus had been on the cross for 3 hours. It was midday, and everything went dark. They must have known that something was up!
In Mark 15:34, it says, “Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned (forsaken) me?”
God the Father, being holy, couldn’t look on his Son as all our sins (past, present, and future) and every vile curse of hell were put on Jesus. God had to look away from His Son so that he could look to you and me.
Do you see the grace and the mercy of Jesus? He was prepared to die. Even though He did no wrong, he was prepared to pay the price so that we could be set free.
Hebrews 12:2 tells us, “For the joy set before him, (Jesus) he endured the cross.”
It is Finished!
In John 19:30, Jesus said, “It is finished.”
Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
This is such a significant event.
EVERYTHING CHANGED FROM THIS MOMENT ON.
Jesus did not say, “I am finished.”
He was saying, “IT IS DONE! I HAVE PAID THE FULL PRICE FOR SIN!”
Mark 15:37-38 gives a slightly different perspective of Jesus’s final moments on the cross. It says, “Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last. And the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom.”
In Mark 15:39 it says, “When the Roman officer who stood facing him saw how he had died, he exclaimed, “This man truly was the Son of God!”
As Jesus gave up his last breath, an earthquake erupted, the dead began to rise, and the temple curtain tore in two. This is significant as, at this stage, under the Old Covenant, only the High Priest could enter God’s presence through the curtain, into God’s presence. The Priest could only do this after following an elaborate cleaning ritual. If he was found to be contaminated in sin, he would drop dead, as God, being holy, could not mix with sin.
On the cross, Jesus ushered in a New Covenant. The curtain tearing in two was God’s way of showing us that he had made a way for all people to be able to come boldly to God once again. He was showing that through the death of Jesus, he had made a way for you and me to come near to God. He had paid the price for the very sin that separated us from God so that we could be reconnected to God.
Hebrews 10:19-22 confirms this when it says, “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place. And since we have a great High Priest who rules over God’s house, let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him.”
Jesus opened a new life-giving way for you and me to have a close, intimate relationship with God.
If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.
The Burial of Jesus
In Mark 15:42-47, it says, “As evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea took a risk and went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. (Joseph was an honored member of the high council, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come.)”
Pilate told Joseph he could have the body, so Joseph “took Jesus’ body down from the cross, wrapped it in the cloth, and laid it in a tomb that had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a stone in front of the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph, saw where Jesus’ body was laid.”
Jesus died. He went to hell with all our sins. There, he fought his greatest battle, the battle for the souls of people.
The Resurrection
Jesus died on the cross to pay the full price of sin so that you and I can go free. He then rose from the grave, defeating sin and death and paying the full price for every vile curse of hell.
Mark 16:1-8 tells us, “Very early on Sunday morning, just at sunrise, they (Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph) went to the tomb. (They wanted to anoint Jesus for burial) “On the way, they were asking each other, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance to the tomb?” But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the very large stone had already been rolled aside.”
“When they entered the tomb, they saw an angel clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body. Now go and tell his disciples, including Peter, that Jesus is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there, just as he told you before he died. The women fled from the tomb, trembling and bewildered, and they said nothing to anyone because they were too frightened.”
Jesus Conquered Death
Jesus conquered the grave. He accomplished exactly what he said he would: He paid the price for sin and rose victorious.
He then walked the earth for 40 days before ascending into heaven. But before he left. Jesus told us to go share this good news with all people. And that’s what I am doing today.
Jesus then ascended into heaven. But Jesus also told us that one day, he would return to fetch his people and to judge the world. We need to be ready.
Are you Ready?
You will spend your eternity in one of two places.
There is a real Heaven (a place where we will be with God. A place with no more pain or stress), and there is a real Hell (a place of torment and pain, where Jesus said the fire never goes out).
Life consists of more than just the here and now. You cannot buy your way into heaven. Even your best falls short. A divine exchange was needed. Jesus took our place and paid the price for sin so we can go free if we put our faith in Him.
Do you know Jesus as your Savior?
If not, invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
If you want to start or restart your walk with God, click here to pray a simple prayer we have set up for you.
The Choice
Let me remind you…
Jesus said it would happen.
In the months leading up to the cross, Jesus told his disciples what would happen.
In Mark 10:33-35, Jesus said, “Listen,” we’re going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence him to die and hand him over to the Romans. They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”
Jesus paid it all.
He died on the cross, and he rose from the grave, making a way for all people to experience the NEW BIRTH. This is the real Easter story.
Life is full of choices.
What are you going to do with Jesus?
Jesus fought the greatest battle ever fought. It was a battle over sin and death. It was a battle for the eternal souls of all people.
JESUS WON THE BATTLE SO THAT YOU AND I CAN COME BACK INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
Have you messed up? Are you haunted by your past? Are you heading down a path that you know is destructive? You may find yourself living in a dark place. Sin may have tripped you up. Are you lost?
Have you backslidden? Fallen away from God?
You can start afresh.
If you want to get your life right with God, then today is your day of salvation.
This Easter, you can reset your life. You can start afresh.
Repent. Turn from sin. Turn to God. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior.
No matter what you have done or where you are today, the good news is that you can invite Jesus to be your Lord and Savior.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, we are told, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”
If you want to reset your life, you can call on Jesus right now…
Dear Lord Jesus, I need you. I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you have prayed this prayer, please let us know. We would love to pray for you and send you an incredible eBook to help you on your journey with God.
Have a blessed Easter!
Please don’t forget to share the Real Easter story with your family and friends.
Give them an EASTER EGG!
- The egg symbolizes NEW BIRTH.
- Do you know why EASTER EGGS ARE HOLLOW AND EMPTY? It is to symbolize that the grave is empty. Why? Because JESUS is risen!
- Easter Eggs taste good. It is a good reminder of the bitter price Jesus paid so that our life and eternity will be sweeter.
- What a faithful God! What undeserved mercy and grace.
- What a Savior!
It’s really good
God bless!