What is the history behind Easter weekend according to the Bible?
The history of the crucifiction and ressurection of Jesus Christ can be found in the 4 Evangelical books of the Bible, namely Matthew, Mark, Luke & John. Here is a short synopsis:
Easter is celebrating the event that Jesus Christ was resurrected, after having suffered and died on the cross for our sins. It reminds you that Christ, who was crucified on what is now called the Good Friday, showed himself up on the Easter. So, it is a time to celebrate. To celebrate that Jesus, who appeared on Earth for the salvation of mankind, is always with us.
That Jesus would resurrect was foretold. And with memories sharpened by hatred, His enemies were the first to remember his prophecy. Hardly had he been buried when they approached the Roman Governor Pontius Pilate with a request to guard the tomb. Pilate gave them soldiers and instructed them to secure the tomb. They went, sealed the stone that closed the entrance, and set the guards to keep watch day and night.
During the night of Friday, the day of his Crucifixion, through to Saturday, nothing had really happened. So did go the whole of Saturday, the weekly rest day in Jerusalem.
Then things turned different on the early morning of the Sunday, the third day since Jesus was crucified. There was a great uproar and the guards of the tomb were all struck by lightning, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His face shining like lightning and his garments white as snow. At this sight, the soldiers trembled with fear and remained as dead men. When they came to their senses there was no point in watching over an empty tomb any longer.
They went to report to the chief priest about the incident. In reply they were asked and paid to distort the truth, and spread a story that the body of Jesus was stolen by his own disciples when the guards were asleep during the night.
Meanwhile, early on the following morning, that was Sunday morning, some women went to the tomb. They were surprised to see that the stone had been moved aside. They entered the tom and found it empty. As they wondered what all these meant, two angels appeared and told them that Jesus had risen again, as He had already told.
Soon Peter, the chief of Jesus' twelve apostles, got there along with John. They found only the linen and the piece of cloth used to wrap his body lied in the empty tomb. Puzzled, they left.
But Jesus was yet to appear in front of them. Instead, Jesus went farther. He turned up to join two of his disciples who were journeying from Jerusalem to a village called Emmaus. However, Jesus did not make himself known to them. Jesus seemed to them as a stranger who had real mastery over the holy Scriptures. Impressed, they invited Jesus to stay with them and share their meal. Jesus agreed , but as they recognized Jesus at the table, He disappeared.
In no time the two disciples headed for Jerusalem. When they met the apostles and told them about everything that happened, Jesus made His appearance. Jesus proved to them all that He was alive and asked them if they had anything to eat. Everybody there became overwhelmed with joy that their Mster had returned to life. And life again had become meaningful to the apostles.
Jesus had eaten with and talked to them in a familiar manner. He reminded them that He had come from heaven, sent by his Father to perform a task. Now, the task had been done by offering His life for the sins of mankind so that we can live forever, it is time for the apostles to follow His suit. He gave them the great commision to spread the gospel over the whole earth!Jesus also told the apostles that He leaves the with the Holy Spirit. After this, Jesus left as suddenly as he came in.
Jesus returned to the same place on the Sunday next, to make believe the unbelievers. And Jesus showed himself now and then to teach his apostles the lessons and to teach them to live without him. Jesus did this for a period of forty days.
On the fortieth day of reappearance, when he felt he had given the disciples all that he had to, he went back to the heaven. This same Jesus will come back just the same way He has left.
He had left his disciples to carry on his work and to reach his message of love and peace to all.
The Easter timeline runs as follows:
· Good Friday (Crucifiction)
· Easter Sunday (Ressurection)
· 40 days Jesus spent on earth
· The Ascension (Jesus was taken up to Heaven in a cloud)
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