The Easter Story

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.”

Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's kingdom.”

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

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 was taken before Pilate. “Are you the king of the Jews?” Pilate asked.
“Yes, it is as you say,” Jesus replied.
Pilate asked him, “Don't you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply.

“What shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked the people.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man's blood.”
Then he handed him over to be crucified.

They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head.
Then they mocked him saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!”

After they had mocked him, they led him away to crucify him.

At dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
An angel of the Lord came down from heaven and rolled back the stone and sat on it.
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.
Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”