The Easter story of Jesus

By Robin Ford

After forty days of introspection in the desert, Jesus is spiritually ready to teach his radical ethics. Living out his vision, he travels the country as an itinerant preacher and gathers disciples along the way. 

All goes well until he confronts the centre of power.

When he enters Jerusalem the crowd cheers, but we know it is fickle. Jesus surely knows that his unflinching commitment to an unorthodox ethical code will bring conflict with religious authorities. They will want to eliminate him. 

At a Passover meal with his disciples the mood darkens. Jesus hints at world-changing agony to come. And someone will betray him. It is their “last supper”.

Jesus and his disciples take a night walk to high drama. In the garden of Gethsemane a kiss from the betrayer singles out Jesus to a band of vigilantes who deliver him to the religious leaders. After a concocted trial the priests transfer Jesus to the jurisdiction of the occupying Roman authorities. With some reluctance, the governor adds him to the list of those to be nailed to a cross – an excruciating death that Rome prescribes for the worst of criminals.  

There is a last chance. The Roman governor will pardon one of the convicted men. He lets the crowd choose. Surely they will want the harmless itinerant teacher. “Who is it to be? “ “We want Barabbas.” “And Jesus?” “Nail him to the cross!”

Jesus dies on the cross.

But the story doesn’t end there. Shortly after his death the tomb in which his body was placed is found to be empty. As his disciples tell it, Jesus miraculously appears and accompanies them for a while, before disappearing from view.

Empowered by their spiritual experience, his disciples go out to spread the “good news” that Jesus taught, with the cross as a symbol of their commitment.