Easter is the most important holiday in the Christian faith. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after his crucifixion. This miracle proved that Jesus was truly the Son of God and paved the way for the salvation of all mankind. As we approach Easter Sunday, it is valuable to reflect on the events surrounding Christ’s death and resurrection by reading the biblical accounts. Here is a suggested reading plan for the 28th day before Easter:
Old Testament Reading – Isaiah 53
Isaiah 53 is one of the most powerful prophetic chapters in the Old Testament. It was written hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth, yet it accurately foretells many key details surrounding his suffering and death. This chapter is often called the “Suffering Servant” passage because it describes the Messiah who will come and bear our iniquities through his sacrifice. As you read this chapter, consider how it aligns with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ crucifixion. Though rejected and slain, this righteous servant will be exalted and fulfill God’s redemptive plan for all humanity.
New Testament Reading – John 18:1-27
John 18 recounts Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane and the start of his trials before the high priest Caiaphas and Roman governor Pontius Pilate. After sharing a final meal with his disciples, Jesus retreats to the garden to pray. He is soon betrayed by Judas and seized by temple guards despite having committed no crime. When questioned by the high priest, Jesus declares his identity as the Messiah. He is struck for speaking the name of God. As you read this passage, consider Jesus’ composure and dignity in the face of persecution. Though falsely accused, he does not protest or defend himself, but willingly sacrifices himself out of love for us.
Psalm Reading – Psalm 22
Psalm 22 is a prophetic messianic psalm that eerily depicts many precise details of Jesus’ crucifixion centuries before his birth. The psalmist describes being scorned and encircled by enemies, intense physical suffering, hands and feet pierced, bones out of joint, extreme thirst, the dividing of clothing by casting lots, and more. As you read this psalm, consider how it aligns with the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ death. Though written long before crucifixion existed as a form of execution, it accurately describes Christ’s agonizing experience on the cross as he bore our sins.
Key Points to Ponder
As you reflect on these readings and the events surrounding Jesus’ death, here are some key points to ponder:
- Jesus was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant who would bear our sins.
- Jesus was betrayed and denied by those close to him, yet he willingly sacrificed himself out of love.
- Jesus faced persecution and false accusations with poise, refusing to defend himself.
- The agony of the cross was prophesied centuries earlier down to precise details.
- Jesus cried out to God feeling forsaken, yet put his spirit into God’s hands.
- The veil in the temple tore, signalling direct access to God made possible by Christ’s sacrifice.
- Even Jesus’ enemies testified that he was righteous and truly the Son of God.
- Jesus’ resurrection proves his power over sin and death and fulfills God’s redemptive promise.
As Easter approaches, meditating on these passages helps us appreciate the enormous sacrifice Jesus made for us. His willing death on the cross paid the penalty for our sins so that through faith in him, we may have eternal life. This reading plan provides valuable insights into the depth of Christ’s suffering and the meaning behind his crucifixion.
The Easter season is a time to focus our hearts on the sacrificial love of Jesus. By reading these prophetic passages, we gain wisdom into God’s redemptive plan at work even centuries before Christ’s birth. Though Jesus endured unimaginable agony on the cross, he emerged victorious over sin and death in the resurrection. As we reflect on these passages over the Lenten season, may our awe of Christ’s sacrifice deepen our love for our Savior and our desire to live in grateful obedience to him.
The Old Testament book of Isaiah contains many prophecies about the Messiah to come who would suffer and die for the sins of the people. Isaiah 53 is one of the clearest passages describing the sacrificial nature of this promised Savior centuries before his arrival. The New Testament makes it clear that Jesus fulfilled these prophecies perfectly. As we read Isaiah 53, we gain insight into the purpose behind Christ’s suffering and how it accomplishes God’s redemptive plan for humanity. Though Jesus was rejected and scorned by men, through his wounds and death we can receive healing, peace with God, and eternal life.
Psalm 22 depicts the inner anguish of the suffering Messiah, foreshadowing Christ’s experience on the cross. Jesus quotes the opening line of this psalm as he is crucified – “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” As we read this psalm, we get a glimpse into Christ’s agony and his feeling of abandonment by the Father as he bore the weight of our sin. Yet the psalm doesn’t end in despair but in hope and praise, anticipating the resurrection victory to come. Psalm 22 reminds us how Jesus endured both physical and spiritual torture for our salvation.
The Gospel of John provides eyewitness testimony of Jesus’ arrest, interrogation and crucifixion. Unlike the synoptic gospels, John focuses more on the conversations and dialogues surrounding the Passion events. As we read Jesus’ exchanges with the Jewish leaders and Pilate, we see his composure and his commitment to fulfilling his divine mission. Christ could have resisted arrest or defended himself against the false accusations, yet he humbly submitted out of obedience to the Father’s will. He was mocked and beaten, yet responded with grace and dignity, all to accomplish our redemption.
As we read and reflect on these passages in the final weeks before Easter, may our hearts overflow with gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. The incredible suffering Jesus went through was all because of his relentless love for us. Though condemned as a criminal, he obediently followed the Father’s plan to secure our salvation. Let us respond to Jesus’ passion by recommitting ourselves to living in His ways and sharing the hope of the cross with others.
Reading through these key passages of Scripture during the Lenten season provides a deeper appreciation for what Christ accomplished through his suffering, death and resurrection. As we meditate on Jesus’ crucifixion, we are reminded of the enormous price he paid to free us from the grip of sin and death. Though battered in body and soul, he willingly sacrificed himself out of unconditional love for all humanity. As we celebrate Easter, may these scriptures motivate us to devote our lives to Christ in grateful worship for the gift of eternal life we could never earn or deserve.
The season of Lent is an important time of preparation as we build towards the celebration of Easter. Using a reading plan is a valuable way to engage with Scripture and focus our minds on the significance of Holy Week. Reflecting on Christ’s suffering, death and resurrection through key passages in Isaiah, Psalms and the Gospels gives us wisdom and perspective. As we contemplate Jesus’ sacrifice for us through these prophetic words written centuries earlier, our awe and gratitude is renewed. These rich texts move our hearts to worship Christ for his incredible demonstration of redeeming love. May this Easter reading plan help deepen your understanding and draw you closer to your Savior.
As we read through the prophecies about Christ’s crucifixion in Isaiah 53, Psalm 22 and other passages, we see how intricately God wove together His plan of redemption through the Old and New Testaments. Specific details about the coming Messiah and his sufferings are revealed centuries before his birth, demonstrating the divine inspiration of Scripture. God gave his people clues into how the Savior would come, live, die and rise again for their salvation. As we read these prophecies, our faith is strengthened knowing that Jesus’ life played out exactly how God intended to accomplish our redemption.
One of the clearest connections between prophecy and fulfillment is seen in Psalm 22 and the crucifixion accounts. As Jesus hangs on the cross, he cries out “My God, my God why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34, cf. Psalm 22:1). This psalm penned by David over 500 years earlier perfectly depicts the agony Jesus experienced – hands and feet pierced, intense thirst, bones out of joint, heart melted like wax, and clothes divided by casting lots. The uncanny alignment between prophecy and its fulfillment affirms that God is at work through His Word across centuries to accomplish His purposes.
Isaiah’s prophecies also contain precise details about the Messiah – that he would be pierced, crushed, and beaten (Isaiah 53:5); numbered with transgressors (53:12); and sacrificed like a Passover lamb (53:7). Jesus said all the Scriptures pointed to him (Luke 24:27), including prophecies about his ministry, miracles, betrayal, death, and resurrection. As we read these passages, we gain insight into God’s far-reaching and consistent plan of redemption carried out through the life of His Son. This strengthens our faith in God’s sovereignty through His Word.
In his first letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul affirms how the suffering and death of Jesus for sinners is a matter of first importance and exactly according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). As we read prophecy and see its fulfillment in Christ, we can have full confidence that God’s redemptive plan was no accident. Through His living Word across centuries, He prepared the way for our salvation.
2000 years ago, Jesus willingly endured unfathomable suffering to redeem mankind from sin. Though completely innocent, he bore our punishment so we could be spared condemnation. As we read Isaiah’s prophecy of a suffering servant, Psalm 22’s depiction of crucifixion agony, and the Gospel accounts of Christ’s passion, we clearly see God’s intricate plan of salvation unveiled and fulfilled. This Easter season, may reflecting on these passages deepen your gratitude for Jesus’ sacrifice and strengthen your trust in God’s Word.
The season of Lent provides an opportunity to reset our focus on Christ and what he accomplished for us through his suffering, death and resurrection. Using a reading plan centered around Easter allows us to engage with key passages of prophecy and fulfillment that illuminate God’s intricate plan of redemption. As we reflect on these scriptures, we are reminded of the enormity of Christ’s sacrifice for us. Though he committed no sin, he allowed himself to be crucified to free us from the grip of sin once and for all. May this focused season of reading God’s Word deepen our worship and inspire us to live in greater obedience to our Savior.