JESUS AND THE RESURRECTION
The Resurrection Story is at the heart of Christianity, its message proclaims Jesus Christ as our Savior and the Light of the World. The Resurrection proclaimed victory over death and opens our eyes to spiritual reality giving us confident hope for an eternal future in the Heavenly Kingdom Of God. This is the heart of Christian faith and belief that truly, becomes a living expression of the hope that God has brought into the world through Jesus.
Religious Significance Of The Resurrection
The essential inspiration of Jesus Christ, from his Birth, His Life, His Death and His Resurrection to eternal life and glory has remained a tremendous influence on mankind. His Message about God, of love and hope, of mercy, repentance and forgiveness is still and will be a guide and a comfort to people seeking salvation.
His Crucifixion and Resurrection occurred about two thousand years ago and is recorded in the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and documented by Roman, Jewish and Greek historians. From that foundation, Christianity grew sending off branches in many directions from ancient Jerusalem. The Christian church appeared after much suffering and martyrdom as many of those early Christians were beaten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified to stop them talking. Yet, they laid down their lives for their faith as the ultimate proof of their complete confidence in the truth of their message. Christian missionaries bearing the Word of God went on to carry the Cross of Christ to all continents and all peoples.
That Special Sunday
Palm Sunday is celebrated on the Sunday before Easter. Jesus made His triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey on a Sunday. He came as the humble Messiah as prophesied by Zachariah but, the people greeted Him as the King of Israel with palm branches. Jesus Christ rose from the dead early on a Sunday morning so, the Christian faithful dedicate this day by going to church to hear the Voice of God and to find Jesus the Savior.
Cross of Christ
Every year, on Good Friday, the bells of every Christian church throughout the world slowly begin to toll, lamenting the Death of Jesus Christ. The Christian faithful will once more, walk in His Footsteps with great devoutness, on this day, our dear Lord, Jesus Christ closed His Eyes in Death on the Cross. Good Friday marks His Crucifixion and Easter Sunday His Resurrection to everlasting life and glory. Throughout history, countless millions of people have walked this path to follow Jesus Christ in a spirit of sincere reverence and faith carrying the Cross of Christ.
The Last Supper
Jesus knew His Destiny and was committed to His Father's Will. The Last Supper depicts Jesus with His Disciples where He instituted the Holy Eucharist. Eucharist comes from the Greek word "eukaristos" which means grateful or, thanksgiving and has essentially become synonymous with Holy Communion. Bread and wine represent the Lord's Supper. Jesus took bread, gave thanks, broke it and shared it among His Disciples saying "This is my Body given to you; do this in remembrance of Me" (Luke 22:19). He then shared wine (His Blood of the New Covenant) and gave to each of His Disciples.
Holy Communion is the Body and Blood of our Lord, given in the form of bread and wine and, instituted by Jesus Himself for us to receive throughout life in His remembrance. It is a visible reminder of His Body which was 
nailed to the Cross at Golgotha and His Blood which was shed there. When we participate in the Eucharist, we receive the gift of forgiveness that purifies the soul and opens the pathway to the promise of eternal life in the Heavenly Kingdom of God.
Easter Celebrations
Every devout Christian treasures Easter and the wonderful traditions that surround it. It is a grand festival that is celebrated as a public holiday in many countries throughout the Christian world. Like all festivals, it is celebrated in a surprising variety of ways according to people's beliefs and their religious denominations. As the excitement of Easter fills the air, churches once again prepare to celebrate and to honor the power and glory of the Resurrection of our dear Lord, Jesus Christ. And, there is a certain joy in the heart as every family will gather around their festive Easter table to celebrate their rich Easter traditions.
Along with its special religious significance, many other popular celebratory customs such as Easter eggs and the Easter bunny have also become synonymous with this great festival while, many traditional foods served during Holy Week have become symbolic staples of the Easter feast. Among popular symbols, the Easter Lamb is by far the most significant of this great feast representing Christ. ("Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!) This was John the Baptist's declaration in John 1:29 upon seeing Jesus for the first time. People also bake or buy special sweet Easter breads and hot cross buns, popular in the English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom and Australia. And, like Father Christmas, the Easter bunny brings gifts for children on Easter Sunday as they wake up to find baskets filled with chocolate and candy and hidden eggs around the house for them to seek and find.
The Holy Land
Thousands of pilgrims will also travel from across the world to the Holy Land to celebrate the Festival of Easter. They gather for an Easter sunrise service at the Garden tomb in Jerusalem and take part in one of the many processions that travel the route of Jesus Christs' journey to Golgotha referred to as the "Twelve Stations Of The Cross."
We invite you to watch the full movie " The Passion of Christ" click on the link to begin watching the heartfelt film.
"The Passion Of Christ Movie Enjoy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MNPoxmwLC1c
Bethany Christian Church 2013
