It’s Easter, and much of the world is thinking about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Most people know the story in its most basic form. But most have never actually read the account of the murder, burial, and resurrection of the Son of God. This morning, you may be asking yourself…
Where can I find the Easter story in the Bible?
There are several accounts. Here’s the list with a brief description of what is unique about each account.
MATTHEW 26-28
Reading these three chapters will take you from Jesus’ time in the garden of Gethsemane through the end of the story. Matthew gives details to the behaviors of various key characters of the time, including Judas and Pilate. Matthew concludes his book with Jesus ascension and final promise. Don’t miss the beautiful declaration in the last verse of the last chapter of the book:
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
MARK 15-16
The book of Mark is known for being a no-frills, straightforward accounting of the life of Jesus. His Easter account doesn’t depart from that. He takes just two chapters to deliver the facts. Mark concludes his gospel with the confirmation that this Jesus was far more than a man, and that His miraculous resurrection gave the disciples supernatural impetus to tell the world what had happened.
LUKE 22-24
Luke chapter 22 begins with Judas agreeing to betray Jesus. Luke’s personal account of the Gospel story is very detailed and reveals his attention to the physical process of the crucifixion. While there are only three chapters to Luke’s account, each chapter contains more verses than either Matthew’s or Mark’s account. As a doctor, Luke provided insight enhanced by the skills of his profession. Two small phrases at the end of Luke’s gospel explain his depth of emotion “with great joy” and “praising God.” If I have a favorite edition of the gospel story, Luke’s is close, but then there’s John…
JOHN 17-20
John calls himself the disciple whom Jesus loved. His writing is more extensive from the garden of Gethsemane to the ascension of Jesus to heaven than any other gospel writer. John does something unique. He includes the conversations between the people. He documents Jesus’ magnificent prayer before leaving for the garden of Gethsemane. Of the four gospel authors, John was the only one present in the garden, and he heard the very words of Christ, which he also documents.
Another wonderful aspect of John’s gospel is that he notes the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Christ, and he concludes chapter 20 with a wonderfully fascinating statement:
Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
That little phrase “which are not recorded in this book” is intriguing, and he further pricks our curiosity when he concludes his entire book with this statement:
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.
I highly encourage you to take the time to read one or even all of the above Gospel accounts of Jesus’ final hours and days on earth this week.
And never forget…
He is risen!!!
He is risen indeed!!!