The Story of Easter Visitor Gift Book

The Story of Easter © 2019 by Outreach, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including storage and retrieval systems, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other, without permission in writing from the publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.

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ISBN: 978163510340 Cover Design by Tim Downs Interior Design by Alexia Garaventa Editor: Erica Chumbley Printed in the United States of America

The final week of Jesus’ life on earth forever changed history, as God enacted his plan of redemption for mankind. The power of sin and death was broken once and for all through the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The classic paintings in this book are from the Providence art collection, and have been selected to bring the events of Holy Week and Easter to life in chronological order.

The story of Easter is a story that never loses its power. As you follow the events from Jesus’ final arrival in Jerusalem, to his death, resurrection, and ascension, let the story fill you with hope in a new way. Let it speak to you every time you journey through these pages.

THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE RESURRECTION

THE CELEBRATION ∂ M AT T H E W 2 1 : 9 ( N I V ) The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna[a] to the Son of David!”

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[b] “Hosanna[c] in the highest heaven!”

a. Matthew 21:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 15 b. Matthew 21:9 Psalm 118:25,26 c. Matthew 21:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 15

7

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE CLEANSING ∂ LUKE 19:45- 46 (ESV) And he entered the temple and began to drive out those who sold, saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers.”

9

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE UNSUCCESSFUL TRAP ∂ MARK 12:13-17 (NKJV) Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and [a]care about no one; for You do not [b]regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.” So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

And Jesus answered and said to them, [c]“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him. a. Mark 12:14 Court no man’s favor b. Mark 12:14 Lit. look at the face of men c. Mark 12:17 Pay

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MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE PRAISE ∂ M AT T H E W 2 1 :1 5 -1 6 ( H C S B) When the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonders that He did and the children shouting in the temple complex, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus told them. “Have you never read: You have prepared[a] praise from the mouths of children and nursing infants?”[b]

a. Matthew 21:16 Or restored b. Matthew 21:16 Ps 8:2

13

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING ∂ LUKE 21:1- 4 (NRSV) He looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the treasury; he also saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”

15

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE LAST DAYS ∂ LUKE 21:5-9 (NIV) Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, “As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.”

“Teacher,” they asked, “when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?”

He replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them. When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.”

17

MONDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE PARABLE OF THE SHEEP AND THE GOATS ∂ M AT T H E W 2 5 : 3 1 - 3 6 ( N K J V ) When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the[a] holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, “Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.”

a. Matthew 25:31 NU omits holy

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THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE WASHING OF THE DISCIPLES’ FEET ∂ J O HN 13 :12-14 (H C S B) When Jesus had washed their feet and put on His robe, He reclined[a] again and said to them, “Do you know what I have done for you? You call Me Teacher and Lord. This is well said, for I am. So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”

a. John 13:12 At important meals the custom was to recline on a mat at a low table and lean on the left elbow.

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THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE LORD’S SUPPER ∂ M AT T H E W 2 6 : 2 6 -2 8 ( N LT ) As they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it.

Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body.”

And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it.

He gave it to them and said, “Each of you drink from it, for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant[a] between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”

a. 26:28 Some manuscripts read the new covenant.

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THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE JOURNEY TO GETHSEMANE ∂ LUKE 22:39 (NRSV) He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him.

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THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE ∂ LUKE 22:40 - 46 (ESV) And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me.

Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him.

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.[a] And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

a. Luke 22:44 Some manuscripts omit verses 43 and 44

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THURSDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE BETRAYAL ∂ M AT T H E W 26 : 47- 5 0 ( N I V ) While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived.

With him was a large crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.” Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.

Jesus replied, “Do what you came for, friend.”[a] Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.

a. Matthew 26:50 Or “Why have you come, friend?”

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE DENIAL ∂ L U K E 2 2 : 5 4 - 6 2 ( N LT ) So they arrested him and led him to the high priest’s home. And Peter followed at a distance. The guards lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter joined them there. A servant girl noticed him in the firelight and began staring at him.

Finally she said, “This man was one of Jesus’ followers!”

But Peter denied it. “Woman,” he said, “I don’t even know him!”

After a while someone else looked at him and said, “You must be one of them!”

“No, man, I’m not!” Peter retorted.

About an hour later someone else insisted, “This must be one of them, because he is a Galilean, too.”

But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about.”

And immediately, while he was still speaking, the rooster crowed.

At that moment the Lord turned and looked at Peter. Suddenly, the Lord’s words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And Peter left the courtyard, weeping bitterly.

31

FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

PILATE QUESTIONS JESUS ∂ M AT T H E W 2 7:11 ( T P T ) As Jesus stood in front of the Roman governor, Pilate asked him, “So, you are really the king of the Jews?”

Jesus answered, “You have just spoken it.”

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

HEROD QUESTIONS JESUS ∂ L U K E 2 3 : 8 - 1 1 ( N LT ) Herod was delighted at the opportunity to see Jesus, because he had heard about him and had been hoping for a long time to see him perform a miracle. He asked Jesus question after question, but Jesus refused to answer. Meanwhile, the leading priests and the teachers of religious law stood there shouting their accusations. Then Herod and his soldiers began mocking and ridiculing Jesus. Finally, they put a royal robe on him and sent him back to Pilate.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

PILATE DECLARES JESUS INNOCENT ∂ JOHN 18:39-40 (NKJV) “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!”

Now Barabbas was a robber.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE CROWN OF THORNS ∂ J O HN 19 :1-2 (NK J V) So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE SENTENCING ∂ M AT T H E W 2 7: 3 1 ( E S V ) And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him and led him away to crucify him.

41

FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

JUDAS’ REMORSE ∂ M AT T H E W 2 7: 3 - 5 ( H C S B) Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was full of remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood,” he said.

“What’s that to us?” they said. “See to it yourself!”

So he threw the silver into the sanctuary and departed. Then he went and hanged himself.

43

FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE CROSS IS CARRIED ∂ M AT T H E W 2 7: 32 ( E S V ) As they went out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name. They compelled this man to carry his cross.

45

FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE CRUCIFIXION ∂ LUKE 23:33-34 (ESV) And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments.

a. Luke 23:34 Some manuscripts omit the sentence And Jesus… what they do

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE FINAL MOMENTS ∂ LUKE 23:35- 43 ( TPT) A great crowd gathered to watch what was happening. The religious leaders sneered at Jesus and mocked him, saying, “Look at this man!

What kind of ‘chosen Messiah’ is this? He pretended to save others, but he can’t even save himself!”

The soldiers joined in the mockery by offering Jesus a drink of vinegar.[a] Over Jesus’ head on the cross was written an inscription in Greek, Latin, and Aramaic:[b] “This man is the king of all the Jews.” And all the soldiers laughed and scoffed at him, saying, “Hey! If you’re the king of Jews, why don’t you save yourself?”

One of the criminals hanging on the cross next to Jesus kept ridiculing him, saying, “What kind of Messiah are you? Save yourself and save us from this death!”

The criminal hanging on the other cross rebuked the man, saying, “Don’t you fear God? You’re about to die! We deserve to be condemned, for we’re just being repaid for what we’ve done. But this man—he’s done nothing wrong!”

Then he said, “I beg of you, my Lord Jesus, show me grace and take me with you into your everlasting kingdom!”

Jesus responded, “I promise you—this very day you will enter paradise with me.” a. Luke 23:36 See Ps. 69:21. It was likely Jesus had had nothing to drink since the night before. b. Luke 23:37 Many Greek texts omit the mention of these three languages.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE DARKNESS ∂ MARK 15:33 (NRSV) When it was noon, darkness came over the whole land[a] until three in the afternoon.

a. Mark 15:33 Or earth

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

IT IS FINISHED ∂ JOHN 19:28-37 (NIV) Later, knowing that everything had now been finished, and so that Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, “I am thirsty.” A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ lips. When he had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. Now it was the day of Preparation, and the next day was to be a special Sabbath. Because the Jewish leaders did not want the bodies left on the crosses during the Sabbath, they asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies taken down. The soldiers therefore came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and then those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, bringing a sudden flow of blood and water. The man who saw it has given testimony, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, and he testifies so that you also may believe. These things happened so that the scripture would be fulfilled:“Not one of his bones will be broken,”[a] and, as another scripture says, “They will look on the one they have pierced.”[b] a. John 19:36 Exodus 12:46; Num. 9:12; Psalm 34:20 b. John 19:37 Zech. 12:10

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE BODY ∂ L U K E 2 3 : 5 0 - 5 2 ( N LT ) Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph.

He was a member of the Jewish high council, but he had not agreed with the decision and actions of the other religious leaders. He was from the town of Arimathea in Judea, and he was waiting for the Kingdom of God to come. He went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

THE TOMB ∂ MARK 15 : 4 6 - 47 (NIV) So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where he was laid.

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FRIDAY OF HOLY WEEK

GUARDING THE GRAVE ∂ M AT T H E W 2 7: 6 2- 6 6 ( H C S B) The next day, which followed the preparation day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, “Sir, we remember that while this deceiver was still alive He said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore give orders that the tomb be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come, steal Him, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead.’ Then the last deception will be worse than the first.”

“You have[a] a guard of soldiers,”[b] Pilate told them. “Go and make it as secure as you know how.” Then they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting the guard.[c] a. Matthew 27:65 Or “Take b. Matthew 27:65 It is uncertain whether this guard consisted of temple police or Roman soldiers. c. Matthew 27:66 Lit stone with the guard

61

SATURDAY OF HOLY WEEK

JESUS’ FOLLOWERS GRIEVE AND MOURN IN SECLUSION

63

RESURRECTION DAY

HE IS RISEN ∂ L U K E 24 : 1 -7 ( N LT ) But very early on Sunday morning[a] the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. As they stood there puzzled, two men suddenly appeared to them, clothed in dazzling robes.

The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man[b] must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.”

a. 24:1 Greek But on the first day of the week, very early in the morning. b. 24:7 “Son of Man” is a title Jesus used for himself.

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RESURRECTION DAY

THE REPORT ∂ M AT T H E W 2 8 : 8 ( N R S V ) So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples.

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RESURRECTION DAY

THE EMPTY TOMB ∂ JOHN 20:3-10 (NIV) So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)

Then the disciples went back to where they were staying.

71

RESURRECTION DAY

THE APPEARANCE ∂ MARK 16:9 -11 (NKJV) Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.

She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

73

RESURRECTION DAY

THE WALK TO EMMAUS ∂ L U K E 24 : 2 8 - 3 4 ( N LT ) By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if he were going on, but they begged him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So he went home with them. As they sat down to eat,[a] he took the bread and blessed it. Then he broke it and gave it to them.

Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.

And at that moment he disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?” And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them, who said, “The Lord has really risen! He appeared to Peter.[b]”

a. 24:30 Or As they reclined. b. 24:34 Greek Simon.

75

POST-RESURRECTION

THE DOUBT ∂ J O HN 20 :24 -2 5 (H SB C) But one of the Twelve, Thomas (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will never believe!”

77

POST-RESURRECTION

THE BELIEVER ∂ J O HN 20 :26 -29 (H C SB) After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!”

Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”

Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.[a] Those who believe without seeing are blessed.”

a. John 20:29 Or have you believed? (as a question)

79

POST-RESURRECTION

THE GREAT COMMISSION ∂ M AT T H E W 2 8 :1 6 -20 ( N I V ) Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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POST-RESURRECTION

THE BREAKFAST ∂ J O H N 2 1 : 1 - 9 ( N LT ) Later, Jesus appeared again to the disciples beside the Sea of Galilee.[a] This is how it happened. Several of the disciples were there—Simon Peter, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin),[b] Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples. Simon Peter said, “I’m going fishing.”

“We’ll come, too,” they all said. So they went out in the boat, but they caught nothing all night.

At dawn Jesus was standing on the beach, but the disciples couldn’t see who he was. He called out, “Fellows,[c] have you caught any fish?” “No,” they replied.

Then he said, “Throw out your net on the right-hand side of the boat, and you’ll get some!” So they did, and they couldn’t haul in the net because there were so many fish in it.

Then the disciple Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his tunic (for he had stripped for work), jumped into the water, and headed to shore. The others stayed with the boat and pulled the loaded net to the shore, for they were only about a hundred yards[d] from shore. When they got there, they found breakfast waiting for them—fish cooking over a charcoal fire, and some bread. a. 21:1 Greek Sea of Tiberias, another name for the Sea of Galilee. b. 21:2 Greek Thomas, who was called Didymus. c. 21:5 Greek Children. d. 21:8 Greek 200 cubits [90 meters].

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POST-RESURRECTION

THE ASCENSION ∂ ACTS 1:8-9 (NRSV) “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

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