Easter: More Than Just a Sunday

Easter. It’s a word that brings up images of colorful eggs, family gatherings, and joyous church services. But is that all there is to it? For years, the story of Easter felt incomplete. There was this nagging sense that something was missing, a deeper understanding waiting to be discovered.

The Untold Easter Story

Growing up, Easter was an event filled with excitement. Getting dressed up, going to church, and celebrating the resurrection of Jesus were annual traditions. Year after year, the message seemed the same, and I began to wonder, wasn’t there more? This curiosity led to an exploration of the Easter narrative.

I wrote a book called “Easter: The Rest of the Story“. It is illustrated beautifully. The goal was to capture the details often overlooked, the nuances that bring the story to life. There’s so much more than we often hear.

Entering the Garden

Let’s journey back to the events leading up to the crucifixion. In Luke 22:39, we find Jesus leaving the upper room with His disciples and heading to the Mount of Olives. This wasn’t a spontaneous decision; it was their custom.

Before this moment, they shared a significant experience. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet, a profound act of humility. Then He instituted communion, a lasting symbol of His sacrifice. He also taught them about the Holy Spirit, preparing them for what was to come. Matthew’s Gospel adds that they sang a hymn together. It was a moment of shared worship before the trials ahead.

They then made their way to the Garden of Gethsemane.

The Significance of “The Place”

Today, many people visit the Garden of Gethsemane. They come to see the old olive trees, some possibly 2,000 years old. These trees stand as silent witnesses to the events that took place. Many visit the Church of All Nations. Inside the church is a rock where Jesus knelt. It was there where He sweat great drops of blood.

Tourists often miss something important. Luke 22:40 mentions “the place.” Across the street from the main garden area, behind a stone fence, lies a grotto. A long, narrow passageway leads to it.

This grotto was more than just a hiding spot. It served as a regular gathering place for Jesus and His disciples. The Garden of Gethsemane was quite large. The grotto offered shelter from bad weather. It was a familiar meeting place. Even Judas knew where to find Jesus, because they went there often. Judas knew that he would find Jesus and his disciples there. John 18:2

Centuries ago, this grotto was transformed into a church. It has been a place of worship ever since.

The Weight of Prayer

In Luke 22:41, Jesus withdrew from His disciples, about a stone’s throw away. He kneeled down and prayed. The Greek word suggests He collapsed under the weight of what was to come.

Think about the pressure He faced. He knew what awaited Him: a Roman scourge, abuse from religious leaders and Roman soldiers. He knew crucifixion was ahead. Beyond that, He knew He would spend three days in the grave.

Jesus, in His humanity, wrestled with this reality. In Luke 22:42, He prayed, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

The word “saying” is intense. It conveys the depth of His repeated pleas. It was a conflict between His human will and His divine purpose. In His heart, He knew He was born to be the Lamb of God. He knew He was meant to die on the cross. Yet, the thought of facing such suffering was almost unbearable.

Finding Strength

An angel appeared to strengthen Jesus. (Luke 22:43). This shows us that God provides supernatural help when we need it most. When you’re facing a hard time, God will give you power to face it.

The agony He experienced is described using the Greek word agone. This word refers to a wrestling match. Jesus was in the fight of His life, His will battling against His Spirit.

He prayed more earnestly. The Greek word ektenes paints a picture of someone stretched out on the ground, rolling in distress. He collapsed on His knees, overcome by the immense pressure.

Drops of Blood

Luke 22:44 tells us His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. This isn’t just symbolic. It’s a real medical condition called hematidrosis.

Extreme stress can cause the body to react in dramatic ways. The skin layers can separate, filling with blood. This blood then mixes with sweat, creating the appearance of blood droplets.

This detail reveals the depth of Jesus’ suffering. Before He was crucified, He had already begun to shed His blood in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was there that He experienced the weight of the world’s sin. The Holy Spirit included this to show the kind of conflict Jesus was in at that moment.

The Army Arrives

John 18:1 tells us Jesus left with His disciples. Judas knew this place. He arrived with a “band of men.” The Greek word speira refers to a cohort of Roman soldiers. This could mean 300 to 600 men.

This wasn’t just a few soldiers. It was a large military force. Why would Judas bring such a force? He must have thought it would take an army to arrest Jesus.

Accompanying the soldiers were brutal officers from the Temple Mount.

Lights in the Darkness

The soldiers carried lanterns and torches. They wanted to find Jesus in the dark. The Garden contained graves, rocks, and trees. These could be hiding places.

They were armed with the full weaponry of the Roman army (hopla). They were ready to kill and for a skirmish.

“I AM”

Knowing what was coming, Jesus stepped forward. He asked them whom they sought. “I am He,” Jesus replied.

The Greek words ego eimi are significant. They are the same words God used to describe Himself to Moses: “I AM THAT I AM.” (Exodus 3).

Jesus was declaring His divinity. With those words, the soldiers were thrown backward to the ground. God’s power was released.

A Servant’s Ear

Peter, in his impulsiveness, drew his sword. He cut off the ear of Malchus, the high priest’s servant. Malchus was known for his derogatory statements about Jesus.

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Did Peter mean to cut off his ear?

Jesus, however, healed Malchus. He either picked up the ear or touched Malchus’ head and miraculously restored it.

Overwhelming Power

The power in the garden was extraordinary. It knocked down hundreds of soldiers and healed a man’s ear. Jesus could have overpowered them all. Yet, He surrendered Himself.

The Naked Man

Mark 14:51-52 tells a strange story. A young man, wearing only a linen cloth, was following Jesus. When the soldiers tried to seize him, he ran away, leaving the cloth behind.

This “linen cloth” was a burial cloth. It connects the story to the tombs in the garden. The power unleashed by Jesus resurrected this young man from a nearby tomb. The soldiers didn’t want another resurrection. They tried to arrest the youth, but he escaped. The soldiers are holding the linen cloth of a boy that was just raised from the dead.

The Lamb’s Path

Jesus willingly followed the soldiers. He was like a lamb being led to slaughter. This fulfills the prophecy in Isaiah 53. It said the Messiah would be led like a lamb to the slaughter.

Justice Denied

Pilate found no reason to sentence Jesus to death. (Luke 23). Yet, he eventually gave in to the pressure from the religious leaders.

He ordered Jesus to be scourged. This was a brutal form of Roman torture. Whips with pieces of bone, metal, and glass were used to tear the flesh. Many people died from this torture alone.

Isaiah 53:5 says, “by his stripes, we are healed.” Jesus was literally striped for our healing.

Agony on the Cross

The Romans were experts at crucifixion. They had different methods. The most common involved nailing the victim’s hands and feet to a cross.

The person would hang there. Their joints would dislocate, and breathing would become difficult. To breathe, they would have to push up with their legs, causing more pain. Eventually, they would suffocate. That is what happened to victims when they were crucified.

Jesus endured all of this.

Victory Declared

Just before He died, Jesus cried out, “It is finished”. (John 19:30).

The Greek word tetelestai means “Paid in full.” Jesus had completed His mission.

It was the victory shout of the ages.

A Curtain Torn

At the moment of Jesus’ death, the veil in the temple tore in two. (Matthew 27). This symbolized that access to God was now open to everyone through Jesus’ sacrifice.

A Tomb Secured

Joseph of Arimathea, a disciple of Jesus, claimed His body. He placed it in his own new tomb. A great stone was rolled in front of the entrance.

The religious leaders remembered Jesus’ prediction of resurrection. They asked Pilate to secure the tomb.

Pilate assigned a “watch” of Roman soldiers. They were to guard the tomb and prevent anyone from stealing the body. To seal the tomb, the religious leaders needed to open it again. They verified that Jesus was dead before sealing it.

Even though they authenticated the death and sealed the tomb they set a watch to guard it.

Life Conquers Death

On the third day, the power of God filled the tomb. Jesus was raised from the dead.

An angel announced to the women that Jesus had risen. (Matthew 28). The women entered the tomb and found it empty.

The Power of Easter Today

Jesus’ life was marked by power. He has the power to do anything we need in our lives.

If you call on Jesus for help, He will act.

Easter is more than just a holiday. It’s a celebration of Jesus’ power over death. It’s a reminder that He is always with us, ready to help us overcome any challenge. May the story of Easter, in its fullness, bring you hope and renewed faith.

For more visit Easter — The Rest of the Story at renner.org

You can also visit Passover, Prophecy, and Jesus: Was He Truly Crucified on Good Friday? – Nisan 14 at our blog, StirUpAmerica.com where we break down what really happened on Easter in line with Bible prophecy.