One of the most contested events in human history, the resurrection is critical because all of the world pivots on the person and work of Christ. Without a resurrection there is not an answer for the transforming work of the gospel in our lives today.

The battle Jesus fought is over. When he was hastily anointed and put in the grave, the whole redemptive plan of God was fulfilled and will be affirmed by an empty tomb.

This week we’ll take a brutally honest look at the crucifixion. In examining this means of torture and death perfected by the Romans, we’ll see that Jesus’ death on the cross was God’s means of satisfying His wrath toward sin. By providing a substitute to take our place, Jesus’ death reconciled a perfect God to a sinful people once and for all.

The arrest of Jesus quickly sets into motion six unjust trials by the religious elite and the Roman authority. Although the Roman trials paint Pontius Pilate as an ineffectual leader, a closer look at history tells us otherwise.

The arrest of Jesus quickly sets into motion six unjust trials by the religious elite and the Roman authority. The religious trials trigger very different breaking points for Peter and Judas.

This week we examine the different characters and their interactions during the betrayal of Jesus. Which character resonates with you, and what lessons can we take from this passage?

Mere hours from the arrest of Jesus, we see the disciples demonstrate that although they are physically present, they are spiritually unaware. In the garden of Gethsemane, we see Jesus demonstrate the first move to ensure spiritual awareness- prayer.

As Jesus continues His march to the Cross, He leads His disciples in the annual Passover Feast. It is here that Jesus shares with them the shocking news that one of them will betray Him. He also transforms Passover into Communion, revealing that all along God was using the feast to point to Him, the Savior of the world. In all of this we can see how God’s Word centers on God’s plan to bring redemption to humanity through Christ alone.