Easter Resource for you
I recently found a new resource that I’ve been enjoying (and you KNOW how I love sharing resources). I came across some of the Eyewitness Bible Series videos in the YouVersion Bible App that I regularly use. I’ve found them to be an insightful supplement to my Bible studies (more for cultural context and some background information than for scripturally-accurate content).
According to their website, “Eyewitness video narratives are Bible-based and are designed to spark your imagination and provoke your curiosity, while not being controversial. Each video is 12-18 minutes long and addresses a portion of the Bible from the viewpoint of a Bible character. The videos and study guides provide a significant amount of historical, cultural, and chronological information that the original writers and hearers of the Bible knew, but are not well-known by most people today. The videos are not recitations of Scripture.[1]” Their hope and intent are to entice people to read and study the scriptures deeper and further.
Therefore, this week for Easter I’d love to share these Easter resource videos with you, as part of an Easter series that Eyewitness Bible Series has put together. As you click on each video on their website on the series, it has additional study guides, references, and resources under each video (under “Downloads”) to take your study of the video content even further and deeper.
PALM SUNDAY – THE NEED
The Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem took place on Palm Sunday when people threw palm branches on his path. This event is told in varying degree of detail in all four gospels. The narration for this event is by an unlikely character.[2]
FIG MONDAY: SEVEN MIRACULOUS SIGNS
Fig Monday’s episode shows Lazarus telling his story of being resurrected. We do not know precisely when Lazarus was raised from the dead, but this occurrence probably wasn’t too long before the Triumphal Entry. Lazarus was a controversial figure for the Jewish authorities during this time because he was solid proof that Jesus could raise people from the dead.[3]
HOLY TUESDAY – ANDREW
Holy Tuesday’s episode shows Andrew’s story. According to John 12:21-22, after the Triumphal Entry, a number of Greeks wanted to meet Jesus. Andrew and Philip told Jesus about their request. Andrew tells of how he overcame his loneliness by introducing people to Jesus.[4]
SPY WEDNESDAY – JUDAS
Spy Wednesday is an episode told by Judas. This episode is set in a time period long before Holy Week, but it will give you some insight about how Judas came to betray Jesus.[5]
MAUNDY THURSDAY – VINE, BRANCHES, FRUIT & LEAVES
Maundy Thursday’s episode is an interpretation of the story of the vine and branches that Jesus taught on Thursday night before his crucifixion. This interpretation is narrated by Philip the Apostle.[6]
GOOD FRIDAY – PETER AND PILATE
Good Friday’s episode is told by two of the main characters of the trial of Jesus. Peter tells about how he denied Jesus, and Pilate tells how he condemned Jesus to death on a cross.[7]
BLACK SATURDAY – THE LAST DAY
Black Saturday’s episode is told by Joseph of Arimathea, who was very involved in the death and burial of Jesus. Imagine how he must have felt on Saturday after burying the body of Jesus the day before.[8]
EASTER SUNDAY – RESURRECTION
Easter Sunday’s episode is told by Mary Magdalene, the first person to see the resurrected Jesus. She had been a faithful follower of Jesus since he had healed her of demon possession.[9]
References/Citations
- “About Us: Eyewitness Bible Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, 6 Feb. 2020, eyewitnessbible.org/about/. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
- “Eyewitness Bible Series: The Easter Series.” Eyewitness Bible Series, eyewitnessbible.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/EASTER-INTRODUCTION.pdf. ↑
