What Is Easter Sunday?

Easter Sunday, or Resurrection Sunday, is one of the most significant Christian holidays on the calendar. The day commemorates the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, who showed Himself alive after three days in the tomb. The first Easter Sunday changed everything, and every Easter Sunday after that reflects the joy, amazement, and worship those early disciples had when they first saw the risen Lord.

Luke gives the account of what transpired that first Easter Sunday as the women followers of Jesus discovered the empty tomb: “On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!’” (Luke 24:1–6).

The Bible teaches that the resurrection of Jesus Christ was a physical raising of His body back to life (see Luke 24:39). Easter Sunday proved Jesus’ deity, confirmed His prophecies, validated the Scriptures, triumphed over the forces of evil, provided for our justification (Romans 4:25), and guaranteed the resurrection of all who trust in Christ.

Easter always roughly corresponds to the Jewish celebration of Passover, since Jesus was slain at Passover time (Luke 22:15; John 13:1; cf. 1 Corinthians 5:7) and rose again three days later. Indeed, Easter is sometimes called Pascha, a word derived from the Hebrew pesach, meaning “Passover.”

Easter Sunday marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, and the last day of the Easter Triduum. Easter always falls on a Sunday. All of the Gospels state that Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:2; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19). And that event is foundational to all we believe as Christians: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. . . . And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17).

Jesus’ resurrection is certainly worthy of being celebrated (see 1 Corinthians 15). Whether we use the term Easter or Resurrection Day or Pascha, it is good to commemorate the event that sealed our salvation and changed the world forever.

However we choose to celebrate Easter Sunday, we should not allow the associated fun and games to distract our attention from what the day is truly all about - the glorious resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Christ Himself should be celebrated every day, not just Easter Sunday. He is the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25), and He is worthy of praise more than once a year.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

Music: "So Be It"

What Is Holy Saturday?

 

After His crucifixion, Jesus was laid in a nearby tomb, and His body remained there the entirety of Holy Saturday (Matthew 27:59-60; Mark 15:46; Luke 23:53-54; John 19:39-42).

Indeed, without the resurrection of Christ, we would be in dire straits. If Christ had never been raised, “your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). The disciples had scattered when Jesus was arrested (Mark 14:50), and they spent the first Holy Saturday hiding for fear of also being arrested (John 20:19). The day between Christ’s crucifixion and His resurrection would have been a time of grief and shock as the stunned disciples tried to understand the murder of Jesus, the betrayal of Judas, and the dashing of their hopes.

The only biblical reference to what happened on Holy Saturday is found in Matthew 27:62-66. After sundown on Friday - the day of Preparation - the chief priests and Pharisees visited Pontius Pilate. This visit was on the Sabbath, since the Jews reckoned a day as starting at sundown. They asked Pilate for a guard for Jesus’ tomb. They remembered Jesus saying that He would rise again in three days (John 2:19-21) and wanted to do everything they could to prevent that. As we know, the Roman guards were inadequate to prevent the resurrection.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What's So Good About Good Friday?

 
So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”
And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.

John 19:30

On a Friday morning, in a city bustling with Passover preparations, Jesus was bruised, bloodied and abandoned. The night had been long: He’d been betrayed by a friend, dragged through unjust trials, mocked and beaten. Early that morning, He was sentenced to die.

If anyone knows what it means to be broken, Jesus does.

Our world is filled with sorrows, yes. But Jesus didn’t just see our brokenness; He offered Himself to be broken for us on the cross. There, as He hung nailed to a tree like a criminal, He cried out “it is finished” before exhaling His last breath and giving up His spirit (John 19:30).

These are the very words a Hebrew priest would declare after killing the sacrificial lamb to cover the sins of the people on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Jesus, the Lamb of God, took on the senseless violence of this world through His death, and as our High Priest, He offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

In Hebrew, the word for “finished” shares a root with “shalom,” meaning peace, wholeness, restoration and completion. As Isaiah 53:5 explains, Jesus “was pierced for our transgressions … the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” . The peace of God came through the piercing of Jesus.

What’s so good about Good Friday? It’s this: By His death on the cross, Jesus broke the power of death and sin in this world. So Good Friday reminds us of the good work Jesus accomplished on the cross, leading to His resurrection and healing of this fractured world.

But before we rush to Resurrection Sunday, let’s sit with the weight of Jesus’ sacrifice today. Let us sit with the pain of the Man of sorrows (Isaiah 53:3), who endured the wrath of God at the cross. Let us ponder the injustice of the spotless Lamb of God punished for our sins. Let us marvel at the astounding death of the Creator of life. Let us worship the King of glory who let go of the splendor of heaven to become flesh and blood, to humble Himself, to hunger and thirst, to suffer and hurt, to be betrayed and rejected, mocked and humiliated - all for love.

Let us worship the Maker whose death brings life. Let us bring to Him all that’s heavy on our hearts, knowing He sees, He knows and He cares. And someday soon, He will finish restoring all that’s broken in this world - and in our lives too.

Jesus, we worship You for Your sacrificial love on the cross. Help us surrender to You those broken parts of our lives, and fill our hearts with hope that You will finish what You started: You will return to make all things new. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Asheritah Ciuciu
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Note:
To learn more about the meaning of Good Friday and why Jesus’ death on the cross is so important to you, visit "Got Questions Ministries".

What Is Holy Thursday?

Holy Thursday, also known as “Maundy Thursday,” is the day before Good Friday (the Friday before Easter). Maundy Thursday is the name given to the day on which Jesus celebrated the Passover with His disciples. It was also the day of His betrayal and arrest. Maundy Thursday commemorates the actions of Jesus associated with the Last Supper.

Two important events are the focus of Maundy Thursday:

The first event is Jesus’ institution of the Lord’s Supper, or communion (Luke 22:19–20). This is one of the ordinances of the church. Some Christians observe a special communion service on Maundy Thursday to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples.

The second event that remains the focus of Maundy Thursday is Jesus’ washing the disciples’ feet. His act of humility and service set an example for us to love and serve one another in humility (John 13:3–17). Today, some Christians observe a foot-washing ceremony on Maundy Thursday to follow the example of Jesus’ washing the feet of His disciples.

The Gospel of John details what happened that night of the Last Supper: “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him” (John 13:3–5). He then told His disciples that “you should do as I have done for you” (verse 15).

The word Maundy is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning “mandate” or “commandment.” So, Maundy Thursday could be thought of as “Commandment Thursday.” The specific mandate is the new commandment Jesus gave the disciples that night. Before He was arrested, Jesus said,

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:34–35)

Should Christians observe Maundy Thursday? The Bible neither commands nor forbids it. It is a good thing to remember the Last Supper and the Lord’s example of service and humility. At the same time, we should avoid ritualistic observances of holidays unless they are truly focused on God and our relationship with Him.

The very best way to observe Maundy Thursday, is to make sure we are following the mandate: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (John 13:34).

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is Holy Wednesday?

According to the traditional interpretation of the Bible, Holy Wednesday is the day on which Jesus was anointed with spikenard during a meal (Matthew 26:6–13). The day is sometimes called “Spy Wednesday” since it is traditionally commemorates the moment when Judas, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, conspired with the religious leaders to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver. (Matthew 26:14–16).

The Bible does not mention Holy Wednesday or Spy Wednesday. The traditional name for this day, "Spy Wednesday," comes from the idea of Judas acting as a spy among the disciples. He plotted in secret to turn Jesus over to the authorities, a decision that ultimately led to the events of Good Friday and the Crucifixion.

The importance of Holy Wednesday lies in its invitation for personal reflection. Just as Judas turned away from Christ, believers are challenged to consider the times they may have distanced themselves from their faith or acted in contradiction to the teachings of Jesus.

This day also emphasizes themes of:

• Free will vs. divine purpose
• Temptation and betrayal
• Preparation for the Passion of Christ

It serves as a spiritual checkpoint before the Easter Triduum, which starts the evening of Maundy Thursday and continues through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday.

Holy Wednesday is more than just a day in the liturgical calendar - it’s a mirror. It asks each of us to look inward and examine our faith, loyalty, and spiritual readiness. As Holy Week moves toward its most solemn moments, this day reminds us that betrayal and grace, sin and redemption, are part of the same sacred story.

Let Wednesday of Holy Week be a time of soul-searching and renewal as we prepare to walk with Christ through the cross and into the resurrection.

- Provided by "I Love DepEd"

Worshipping the One Who Truly Matters on Holy Wednesday

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.” John 12:3

If you’re anything like me, your to-do list can feel overwhelming. I often find myself saying, “I need to do this,” as though everything will fall apart if I don’t. The truth is, much more often, I need to check my heart, remember who Jesus is and realign my priorities.

Sometimes I let my schedule, work, possessions, pursuits or social status take precedence. But when my focus shifts from Jesus to these things, I lose sight of true purpose and peace.

For instance, I remember a time in my life when work consumed me. Hitting numbers and meeting goals became my sole focus. At first, it seemed productive, even admirable. But gradually, without realizing it, I let it define me. I stopped prioritizing Jesus and began worshipping my work instead. I became less loving, less gentle, and definitely less like Jesus.

With worship in mind, Holy Wednesday invites us all to remember two pivotal events from the Bible:

1. Judas agreed to betray Jesus for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16).

2. Mary of Bethany anointed Jesus with expensive perfume, showing her devotion to Him (Matthew 26:6-13).

On the same day Judas decided to betray, Mary chose to worship.

John 12:3 says, “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.”

We face a similar choice daily: Will our priorities be selfish or holy? True purpose comes from devoting time to humbly being with Jesus. When we prioritize anything else, like Judas, we lose sight of who we are meant to be.

Mary’s example shows us what it means to live with holy purpose. She worshipped Jesus, sat at His feet, and humbly surrendered her most valuable possession to Him.

This Holy Wednesday, I invite you to prayerfully reflect: In what ways have you prioritized the wrong things? Are you living like Judas, trading eternal joy for temporary gains, or like Mary, finding peace and purpose in worship?

We will never find lasting peace and purpose until we sit at our Savior’s feet. Every day is an opportunity to offer ourselves to Him.

Dear Jesus, this Holy Week, help me to remember Mary’s example. I confess I’ve often prioritized the things of this world over You. I know I’ll miss a truly rich life if I forget to sit at Your feet. Lord, I humbly worship You as my Savior and my Friend. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

- Grace Valentine
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

What Is Holy Tuesday?

According to common interpretation of the Bible, Holy Tuesday is when Jesus was issued various challenges by the Pharisees and Sadducees over subjects such as marriage in heaven, paying taxes to Caesar, and the source of His authority.
(Matthew 21:23-23:39; Mark 11:27-12:44; Luke 20:1-21:4)

By this same interpretation, this is the day Jesus commented on the widow’s donation (Mark 12; Luke 21) and was approached by a number of God-fearing Greeks (John 12:20–36).

Tuesday would also be the day Jesus spoke His seven “woes” against the Pharisees (Matthew 23:13–36) and the evening on which He delivered the Olivet Discourse (Matthew 24—25; Mark 13; Luke 21:5–36).

Depending on the denomination, this day may or may not be celebrated at all. Those that do observe Holy Tuesday, typically mark it with readings of particular passages of Scriptures and the singing of relevant hymns.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is "Holy Week"?

Holy Week (also known as Passion Week) is the time from Palm Sunday through Easter Sunday (Resurrection Sunday). Also included within Holy Week are Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Spy Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Passion Week is so named because of the passion with which Jesus willingly went to the cross in order to pay for the sins of His people. Passion Week is described in Matthew chapters 21-27; Mark chapters 11-15; Luke chapters 19-23; and John chapters 12-19. Passion Week begins with the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday on the back of a colt as prophesied in Zechariah 9:9.

Passion Week contained several memorable events. Jesus cleansed the Temple for the second time (Luke 19:45-46), then disputed with the Pharisees regarding His authority. Then He gave His Olivet Discourse on the end times and taught many things, including the signs of His second coming. Jesus ate His Last Supper with His disciples in the upper room (Luke 22:7-38), then went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray as He waited for His hour to come. It was here that Jesus, having been betrayed by Judas, was arrested and taken to several sham trials before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and Herod (Luke 22:54-23:25).

Following the trials, Jesus was scourged at the hands of the Roman soldiers, then was forced to carry His own instrument of execution (the Cross) through the streets of Jerusalem along what is known as the Via Dolorosa (way of sorrows). Jesus was then crucified at Golgotha on the day before the Sabbath, was buried and remained in the tomb until Sunday, the day after the Sabbath, and then gloriously resurrected.

It is referred to as Passion Week because in that time, Jesus Christ truly revealed His passion for us in the suffering He willingly went through on our behalf. What should our attitude be during Passion Week? We should be passionate in our worship of Jesus and in our proclamation of His Gospel! As He suffered for us, so should we be willing to suffer for the cause of following Him and proclaiming the message of His death and resurrection.

- Provided by "Got Questions Ministries"

What Is Palm Sunday?

Palm Sunday is the day we celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, one week before His resurrection (Matthew 21:1–11). As Jesus entered the holy city, He neared the culmination of a long journey toward Golgotha. He had come to save the lost (Luke 19:10), and now was the time - this was the place - to secure that salvation. Palm Sunday marked the start of what is often called “Passion Week,” the final seven days of Jesus’ earthly ministry.

Palm Sunday began with Jesus and His disciples traveling over the Mount of Olives. The Lord sent two disciples ahead into the village of Bethphage to find an animal to ride. They found the unbroken donkey and the colt, just as Jesus had said they would (Luke 19:29–30). When they untied the donkey, the owners began to question them. The disciples responded with the answer Jesus had provided: “The Lord needs it” (Luke 19:31–34). Amazingly, the owners were satisfied with that answer and let the disciples go. “They brought [the donkey] to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it” (Luke 19:35).

As Jesus ascended toward Jerusalem, a large multitude gathered around Him. This crowd understood that Jesus was the Messiah; what they did not understand was that it wasn’t time to set up the kingdom yet - although Jesus had tried to tell them so (Luke 19:11–12). The crowd’s actions along the road give rise to the name “Palm Sunday”: “A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road” (Matthew 21:8). In strewing their cloaks on the road, the people were giving Jesus the royal treatment - King Jehu was given similar honor at his coronation (2 Kings 9:13). John records the detail that the branches they cut were from palm trees (John 12:13).

On that first Palm Sunday, the people also honored Jesus verbally: “The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, ‘Hosanna to the Son of David!’ ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest heaven!’” (Matthew 21:9). In their praise of Jesus, the Jewish crowds were quoting Psalm 118:25–26, an acknowledged prophecy of the Christ. The allusion to a messianic psalm drew resentment from the religious leaders present: “Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, ‘Teacher, rebuke your disciples!’” (Luke 19:39). However, Jesus saw no need to rebuke those who told the truth. He replied, “I tell you if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).

1 Peter 1:3

He Chose The Nails

Come with me to the hill of Calvary. Watch as the soldiers shove the carpenter to the ground and stretch his arms against the beams. One presses a knee against a forearm and a spike against a hand. Jesus turns his face toward the nail just as the soldier lifts the hammer to strike it. Couldn't Jesus have stopped him? With a flex of the biceps, with a clench of the fist, he could have resisted. Is this not the same hand that stilled the sea? Summoned the dead?

But the fist doesn't clench...and the moment isn't aborted.

The mallet rings and the skin rips and the blood begins to drip, then rush. Then the questions follow. Why? Why didn't Jesus resist?

"Because he loved us," we reply That is true, wonderfully true, but - forgive me - only partially true. There is more to his reason. He saw something that made him stay. As the soldier pressed his arm, Jesus rolled his head to the side, and with his cheek resting on the wood, he saw:

A mallet? Yes.

A nail? Yes.

The soldier's hand? Yes.

But he saw something else. He saw the hand of God. It appeared to be the hand of a man. Long fingers of a woodworker. Callous palms of a carpenter. It appeared common. It was, however, anything but. Between his hand and the wood, there was a list. A long list of our mistakes: our lusts and lies and greedy moments and prodigal years. A list of our sins.

The bad decisions last year. The bad attitudes from last week. There, in broad daylight for all of heaven to see, was a list of your mistakes.

He saw the list! He knew the price of those sins was death. He knew the source of those sins was you, and since he couldn't bear the thought of eternity without you, he chose the nails.

- An Excerpt from "He Chose The Nails" by Max Lucado

Music: "Exchange"

 

Jesus Prayed For You

I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one,
and that the world may know that You have sent Me,
and have loved them as You have loved Me.

John 17:23

In John 17, we find the last words Jesus shared at His final meal with His disciples on Thursday during Holy Week.

Even though I treasure reading about the last moments of Jesus’ earthly life with His friends, at the same time, my heart aches. He knew all that was about to happen to Him. Within hours of this last time together, He knew:

One of His friends would betray Him …

The others would not stand with Him …

He would soon endure extreme brutality all alone …

And yet, somehow, He was focused enough to stay very present in this moment instead of living in dread of the horrific moments to come.

It astounds me how present and giving Jesus was during the Last Supper. Jesus and the disciples ate, drank and talked together. He washed their feet. He watched Judas walk out the door.

Then He prayed. For Himself, for the disciples … and for you and me.

The fact that Jesus thought of and prayed for us in these final hours also astounds me. I need to read what He prayed. But even more importantly, I need to live what He prayed: “that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.” (John 17:23).

Of all the many things He could have prayed for us, it was unity and love.

This feels a bit complicated in our world that is divided on issues where many have loud opinions, express strong objections, and feel very justified in getting offended by almost anything.

I get it. There’s a lot of wrong that should be addressed, justice that should be defended, and evil that should be stopped. There’s also so much we don’t understand or have answers for.

But when I reflect on Jesus’ words at the Last Supper, I wonder if there’s a more unified way we, as Christians, are supposed to be doing this. We have an enemy, but it’s not each other. In light of Jesus’ last prayer for us before He went to the cross, I wonder if we all need to remember this: While we can be divided in our opinions, we can be a little more united in our compassion for one another.

After all, so much of what shapes the opinions and objections we express comes from some deep pain we’ve felt or walked through with someone we love. Hurt shapes us for better or worse.

Jesus knew this. He had all the answers, and yet He still wept (John 11:35). Maybe that’s why He prayed for unity. Maybe it’s not the kind of unity where we all agree about everything but where, in the middle of disagreements, we can remember we are all carriers of pain and sorrow. Even if we don’t see eye to eye, surely we are so very alike in what makes us cry.

Even if we are completely divided on some opinions and ideas, we can remember we’re so very united in our tears and our love for Jesus. And in that shared commonality, believers show the world that with Jesus, unity and peace are possible.

You see, when there is that kind of unity between us, the world looks a lot more beautiful around us. And others will know by our unity and love that Jesus was sent by God to redeem the world.

Today, may we each choose to embrace a God-honoring unity and love in our lives. We honor Him most when we live His prayer.

Father God, You long for me to receive and live out the love of Jesus. For me to walk in unity and love. Help me tear down barriers of judgment and hatred. Help me hold to Your Truth and walk in Your grace while sincerely loving others. Through Your healing, help me to connect with others, human to human, no matter where I may be on my journey. May my heart be softened and my life be changed by Your call to unity and love. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Turned Tables: Finding Grace in Life’s Disruptions

Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there.
He overturned the tables of the money changers and the
benches of those selling doves.
Matthew 21:12

Convinced I was following God’s call, I had poured myself into ministry - doing everything to build what I believed He had asked of me.

But then burnout hit me.

My heart broke as God asked me to step back, step away and slow down. It felt like He was disrupting everything I thought He had called me to. I couldn't help but wonder why and struggled to understand how He could allow this.

Maybe you’ve felt it, too - that quiet exhaustion that slowly builds as you try to hold everything together. We start with the best intentions, trusting God to lead the way. But somewhere along the journey, we take on more than He ever asked us to carry. The weight of it all presses in, so we push harder, strategize more and keep striving … until suddenly something disrupts our plans.

It feels like everything is unraveling. But what if the disruption isn’t a setback? What if it’s an invitation?

As Holy Week unfolds, Matthew 21:12 says, “Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.”

The people had lost sight of the temple’s true purpose. They’d begun with worship but ended up focused on profit and performance. Jesus’ intervention reminded them that holiness mattered far more than human plans.

As believers today, we are now His temple - His Spirit dwells within us. And sometimes He must overturn the tables in our hearts. When we have resorted to anxious striving, worrying ourselves sick and pressing on when He is calling us to rest, He knows this is hurting us. This was never His intention.

Looking back, I see now that God wasn’t punishing me by asking me to slow down or let go of some of the things I loved. He was purifying me. My identity had become tangled in what I was building for Him instead of simply being with Him. In His love, He overturned my plans to bring me back to Him.

Perhaps God allows some disruptions as an invitation back to dependence on Him. Like the burnout that forced me to pause, all God’s interventions draw us into surrender, reminding us that He, not our efforts, is the true source of strength. Removing what’s unnecessary creates space for what matters.

This Holy Week, may we embrace God’s gentle correction, knowing His most beautiful mercies meet us at the end of ourselves.

Oh, Lord, I confess I often rely on my strength. Thank You for using life’s disruptions to draw me back to You. As I reflect on this Holy Monday, help me surrender my plans and trust You even when life feels overturned. Give me faith to rest in Your love and guidance today and always. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Ashley Morgan Jackson
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"