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 "Easter is a time to express joy and thanksgiving to God
for the new relationship he has given, a victory
celebration of Jesus Christ who was put to death unjustly
but rose from death on the third day. For Christians, the
resurrection is very important as it proves that Jesus
Christ is truly God himself.
So Christians recall this event each year and renew their
faith in Jesus Christ as Christ has the victory over death
and no longer limited by time and space as he was while on
earth. He can now be everywhere with his people all the
time.
Jesus Christ is preserved in living and teaching a life of
love. In spite of so much evil and hatred around him, he
was able to love by forgiving and not taking revenge. This
can be seen from the last meal he had with his disciples,
commonly known as the Last Supper. During which he
revealed his great love by offering himself and saying,
“my body is given for you” and “my blood will be
shed for you”.
On the Friday before Easter, which came to be called Good
Friday, Christians commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
In reflecting on the suffering and death of Jesus Christ,
Christians draw inspiration and strength to live out their
own loves, especially in its difficult moments.
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Origins
Jesus Christ lived in Palestine about 2000 years ago. He
performed miracles, which were evidence of his power to
heal the whole person – body, mind and spirit. As crowds
gathered around him to listen to his teachings and many
became his disciples, the rulers of Palestine were afraid
that he would become a leader that is too powerful. The
Jewish priests wanted to have him killed for claiming to
be divine (God) and for not following their own teachings.
Jesus Christ had a special ‘Last Supper’ with his
disciples as he knew he was going to be arrested
thereafter. He taken to a mock trial and was unjustly
condemned to death by crucifixion, the very next day.
Crucifixion was the common form of punishment in those
days, where criminals were nailed on a big wooden cross
and left to hang on it for days till he bleeds to death.
Jesus was buried in a cave-tomb. But two days later, when
some women went to the tomb, they found it open and empty.
Later he was seen by many of his followers. He spoke with
them, ate with them and even allowed them to touch him to
prove that he was truly alive.
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