HAPPY EASTER
At this time the crucifixion, death and resurrection of
Jesus is remembered.
His demonstration that we are
more than just our physical bodies is one of
the most enlightening that is known to us.
The most famous telling of this story is, of course,
found in the Gospels of the New Testament.
THE EASTER STORY AS TOLD BY LUKE
The Easter Story starts with Jesus and his disciples celebrating Passover together. This celebration is most often referred to as the "Last Supper" within the Christian community and it is from the telling of this event that the institution of the Eucharist came into being.
After Jesus and his disciples finish the Passover dinner they go to the Mount of Olives to pray. Here is recounted one of the most famous prayers in the Bible with Jesus praying "Father, if you are willing let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done." (Luke 22:41)
There follows, the betrayal by Judas, the arrest, the denial by Peter, the trial before the Sanhedrin (a Jewish theological court), the hearing before Pilot and Herod, with the end result being that Jesus is sentenced and crucified.
Jesus dies on the cross that day his last words being "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit". (Luke 23:46) His body is removed from the cross and is placed in a stone tomb.
Then comes the most edifying part of the report. The day after the Sabbath Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James come to the tomb to grieve, find the stone rolled away, Jesus' body missing, and two "men in brilliant clothes" who say to them: "Why look among the dead for someone who is alive? He is not here, he has risen."
Death is not the end but is only another part of our existence; a link in the ongoing consciousness that is who we are.
Jesus later appears to two of his disciples as they travel on the road to Emmaus. It is also reported that he appeared to Simon and then that he appeared before the eleven disciples and further explained the Hebrew scripture to them.
Later went with them to the outskirts of the town, blessed them and "was carried up to heaven". The disciples then returned to Jerusalem full of joy and "were continually in the Temple praising God." (Luke 24:53)
