Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion, which is the foundation of the Christian faith. As Easter approaches, it’s a great time to dedicate intentional time to reading God’s word and reflecting on the significance of this holiday.
Here are some key Bible passages that are great to meditate on for Easter:
The Triumphal Entry
The Sunday before his death, Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of the Messiah’s coming in Zechariah 9:9. The crowds welcomed him by laying down palm branches on the road.
Matthew 21:1-11 – Jesus enters Jerusalem humbly yet as a king, showing he is the Messiah.
Mark 11:1-11 – Jesus arrives to the praise of the people shouting “Hosanna!”
Luke 19:28-44 – Jesus weeps for Jerusalem as he enters, predicting its future destruction.
John 12:12-19 – The meaning of Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey is not understood by the disciples at first.
The Last Supper
On the night before his crucifixion, Jesus shared his last meal with his disciples. At the Last Supper, he instituted the sacrament of Communion, which we still celebrate today in remembrance of his sacrifice.
Matthew 26:17-30 – Jesus foretells his betrayal by Judas during Passover.
Mark 14:12-26 – Jesus establishes Communion with bread and wine.
Luke 22:7-30 – The disciples argue over who is the greatest, Jesus teaches that leaders must be servants.
John 13:1-30 – Jesus washes his disciples’ feet, gives the commandment to love one another, and predicts Peter’s denial.
1 Corinthians 11:23-26 – Paul recounts Jesus instituting Communion at the Last Supper.
The Crucifixion
After being betrayed by Judas, Jesus was put on trial by the religious leaders and the Roman governor Pontius Pilate. Though declared innocent, Jesus was crucified as a political threat to the Romans. He died for the sins of the world.
Matthew 27:32-56 – Matthew’s account of the crucifixion.
Mark 15:21-41 – Mark’s account of the crucifixion.
Luke 23:26-49 – Luke’s account of the crucifixion, includes Jesus’ words of forgiveness and the promise to see the repentant criminal in Paradise.
John 18:1-19:37 – John’s lengthy account of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, includes Pilate’s interviews with Jesus and dialogue with the crowd.
The Resurrection
On the third day after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead and appeared to his followers, proving his power over death and that he is truly the Son of God.
Matthew 28:1-10 – The women discover the empty tomb and Jesus appears to give them the Great Commission.
Mark 16:1-8 – The women find the tomb empty; Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene.
Luke 24:1-12 – The women report the empty tomb to the skeptical disciples.
John 20:1-18 – Peter and John race to the empty tomb; Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene.
1 Corinthians 15:3-7 – Paul records Christ dying for sins, being buried, and rising on the third day.
Jesus’ Post-Resurrection Appearances
For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus often appeared to his disciples and followers at various times and places. His appearances confirmed that he was alive and demonstrated his glorified resurrection body.
Matthew 28:16-20 – The disciples worship Jesus on a mountain in Galilee.
Luke 24:13-53 – Jesus walks with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and later shows himself to the disciples in Jerusalem.
John 20:24-21:23 – Jesus appears to Thomas, restores Peter, and interacts with various disciples in Galilee.
Acts 1:3-11 – Jesus teaches about the kingdom of God and ascends to heaven in the clouds.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8 – Christ appears to Peter, the Twelve disciples, 500 people, James, and finally Paul.
The Meaning of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
The death and resurrection of Jesus is the pivotal event in all of human history. Here are some verses that discuss the theological significance of Easter:
Romans 5:8 – “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
1 Corinthians 15:17 – “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.”
2 Corinthians 5:21 – “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”
Hebrews 9:28 – “So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.”
1 Peter 2:24 – “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 1:3 – “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead…”
Old Testament Prophecies of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection
The sacrificial death and resurrection of the Messiah was foretold centuries before Jesus was born. Here are some key passages from the Hebrew scriptures:
Isaiah 53:5 – “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Psalm 16:10 – “For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”
Psalm 22 – This entire Psalm is a vivid prophecy of the crucifixion, even predicting details like the soldiers casting lots for his clothing.
Hosea 6:2 – “After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him.”
Jonah 1:17 – “And the Lord appointed a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.”
Foreshadowing Jesus’ Death in the Old Testament
There are hints and foreshadowings pointing to Jesus’ death scattered throughout the Old Testament. Here are a few important ones:
Genesis 22 – God commands Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, but stops him at the last moment and provides a ram instead. This points to God’s willingness to sacrifice his own Son.
Exodus 12 – The Passover lamb that was slain and its blood applied to doorposts so the angel of death would pass over God’s people.
Leviticus 16 – The scapegoat that bore the sins of Israel on the Day of Atonement.
Numbers 21 – Moses lifts up the bronze serpent so that those bitten by snakes could look on it and live.
Ruth – Boaz, as kinsman-redeemer, pays the price to purchase Ruth as his bride.
Jesus’ Own Predictions of His Death and Resurrection
During his ministry, Jesus repeatedly predicted and explained to his disciples that he had to die and rise again. This showed it was no accident but God’s set plan of salvation:
Matthew 16:21 – “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
Matthew 20:18-19 – “See, we are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day.”
Mark 8:31 – “And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again.”
Luke 9:22 – “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”
John 10:11 – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
The Significance of the Resurrection
The resurrection of Jesus is the most important event in history and the absolute foundation of Christian faith. Here’s why it matters so much:
– The resurrection proves Jesus is truly the Son of God as he claimed (Romans 1:4).
– It confirms the truth of all Jesus’ teachings.
– It gives power to the good news of the gospel that we can be saved (Romans 4:25).
– Jesus’ resurrection is God’s stamp of approval on his finished work of atonement for sins.
– It shows death is defeated and believers have eternal life with Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-55).
– Jesus’ resurrection foreshadows the future resurrection of all who believe in him (1 Corinthians 15:20).
– The risen Christ now intercedes for us before the Father as our advocate and great high priest (Romans 8:34).
The resurrection changes everything! It is the decisive turning point in history and the promise of life everlasting for those who put their trust in Jesus.
The Transforming Power of the Resurrection
Jesus’ resurrection should transform every part of the believer’s life. Here are some ways it changes how we live:
– It gives the courage to face persecution and danger for the sake of the gospel (Acts 4:13).
– We can now live holy lives, dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11).
– We should prioritize and excel in spiritual things rather than earthly things (Colossians 3:1-4).
– It gives motivation to generously share resources and give to the needy (1 Timothy 6:18-19).
– We can be steadfast and immovable in all circumstances since we know nothing can separate us from the love of the risen Christ (1 Corinthians 15:58).
– It inspires us to tell others the good news since we have hope they can share in his resurrection (Philippians 3:10-11).
Jesus rose that we too might walk in newness of life. We should live like we serve a risen Savior!
The resurrection is the heart of the Christian faith. As you read through the Bible’s eyewitness accounts, may your faith be strengthened and may God reveal more to you about his incredible love and sacrifice for you.