“He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.” Matthew 28:6
By Connie Woods
The biggest celebration within Christianity may be Christmas, but the most important celebration is Easter. The entire basis for the Christian faith is based on the events that occurred on the first Easter weekend. While Christmas is about how Jesus came to earth as a baby, Easter is about the reason he came. Christians believe the whole reason he came was to die and to rise again.
Most historians agree on these facts, which are the foundational events of Christianity:
- Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion on the Friday during the Jewish Passover.
- He was buried in a tomb owned by Joseph of Arimathea.
- Guards were posted to keep watch over the tomb.
- On the third day, the tomb was found to be empty. His body could not be found, nor could the Roman or Jewish authorities explain what had happened to it.
- Over the next forty days, his disciples plus hundreds of other people claimed to have seen Jesus, spoken with him, eaten with him, and listened to his teachings.
These disciples (and others) went to their deaths – some through torture – maintaining that their claims of seeing a resurrected Jesus were true.
Those are the historical facts. The significance is found in the interpretation of those facts. Christians maintain that the tomb was empty and that there were post-crucifixion sightings of Jesus because Jesus had physically risen from the dead. This, combined with the apparent fulfillment of centuries-old prophecies contained in the Jewish Scriptures, firmly established the belief that Jesus was God in the flesh and that he had power and authority over life and death.
This belief in the resurrection of Jesus spread rapidly throughout the Roman Empire and it continues to spread today. For nearly 2000 years, Christians have placed their faith in this resurrected Jesus, believing his promise that he will someday return to take his followers to be with him throughout eternity.
Woods is the publisher of Good News Press and a resident of Antioch in Eastern Contra Costa County.
Good News Press is an outreach Christian publication, the San Francisco Bay Area’s Christian newspaper, sharing the good news of God’s love through his Son. The publication proclaims the gospel message and features News, Events, Inspiring Christian articles, and more! The website also features a Christian business directory. www.goodnewspress.us
In Good News Press Spring 2021 Issue:
Read the complete edition by clicking Good News Press Spring 2021 16 pages
Significance & Historical Facts of Easter
How the Date of Easter is Determined
Just Pray No Weekend of Prayer & Fasting
What is Good Friday?
Women at the Tomb – Jesus Is Risen
A Biblical Perspective on the Border Crisis
TBN Set to air Full Slate of New Programming to Celebrate Easter Weekend
Myanmar Massacre, GFA Calls for World Prayer Amid Military Coup
God Gives Us Hope In A Crisis
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What is the Pre Tribulation Rapture?
Remote work has Dramatic Implications
Sen. Rick Brittans’s Capitol Report of March 29: Saying “No” to Vaccine Passports
There’s a Lot that can go wrong with Vaccine Passports
Will you ditch your PC for a QC?
Romans Road to Salvation
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