The Easter Story - Prayers and Petitions

The Easter
Story

Jesus, ‘Emmanuel’, the much awaited Messiah, was born to Joseph and Mary in a manger the place called Bethlehem.

Jesus started preaching at a young age. And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.” (Luke 2:40)

He was taken prisoner by the Romans for blasphemy—for claiming to be the ‘King of the Jews’. He was taken to Golgotha, which means "The Place Of The Skull".

Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in the synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23-25)

He was mocked by the chief priests who said to each other, "He can save others, but he can't save himself!"

Jesus chose 12 disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." (Luke 9:22) But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

Jesus was nailed to the cross. The soldiers were gambling and arguing about who would get Jesus's clothes. Along with Jesus, two prisoners, one to each side of Jesus, were nailed on the cross.

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Around 3 in the afternoon, the sky turned dark. The earth quivered at that moment and Jesus shouted, "My God, I commit my spirit in your hands!" When he said this, He breathed his last.

When an army officer witnessed how Jesus had died while he was being crucified in front of him, he exclaimed, "This man was indeed the son of God!" When the soldier pierced Jesus's side, blood and water started gushing out.

And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him, they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre.

After 3 days, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb with the other women. They took aromatic spices to anoint him. They were astonished to see that the big stone was rolled away from the entrance!

The women went into the tomb and found that Jesus’ body was not there. An angel appeared and said: “Peace be with you. Jesus is risen from the dead!”

Jesus ascended to heaven after his death, and He appeared to His apostles and followers for 40 days till the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. He told them to tell the people to repent and believe in the gift of Resurrection.

I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live…

Easter commemorates Jesus Christ's passion, crucifixion, and death. The resurrection of Jesus into heaven represents His victory over death and the promise of eternal life.