Easter
Did you know … Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection (rising from the dead) on Sunday morning after dying on a cross. Christians love this day because it reminds us that Jesus died to save us from our sins. The stone is rolled away Mary Magdalene and two other women went to Jesus’ tomb after sunrise on Sunday morning to anoint His body. They didn’t know how they were going to roll the heavy stone away from his tomb. To their surprise, the stone was rolled away. Jesus’ body was missing, but an angel told them Jesus had risen and to tell the disciples. Mary Magdalene is the first to talk to Jesus Mary ran to tell the disciples. Peter and John searched the empty tomb and then went home. Mary was very upset and started to cry. Then Jesus...
Read MoreGood Friday
Did you know … Most schools close for Good Friday, which comes the same weekend as Easter Sunday for a great reason. Good Friday is the day Jesus, God’s Son, died on a cross. He rose from the dead three days later on Easter Sunday. Lord’s Supper Jesus ate his last supper Thursday evening. All twelve of the disciples ate this special meal with Him, including Peter, James, and John. Judas Iscariot was also there but left early to betray Jesus. Garden of Gethsemane Jesus took Peter, James, and John to pray at the Garden of Gethsemane. Judas betrayed Jesus there and soldiers arrested Him. Pilate does not think Jesus is guilty After the chief priests and elders decided Jesus deserved to die for claiming to be God’s Son, they took...
Read MoreGroundhog Day
Did you know … Groundhog Day falls on February 2nd, the same day as Candlemas Day, a Christian holiday also called “Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple.” Candlemas After Jesus was born, Mary waited forty days to present Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem, the time required by the Law of Moses in Leviticus 12. To remember Jesus’ presentation, for centuries Christians attended services where candles were lit and blessed on February 2nd. As this day is about halfway between the beginning of winter and the beginning of spring, folks began to search for signs of spring on this day. Germans watched for a badger to cast a shadow. If it did, there would be six more weeks of winter. Old English saying: If Candlemas be fair and...
Read MoreThe Garden of Gethsemane
Israelites used olive oil for cooking, in lamps, and for anointing kings. Jesus, the King of Kings, might have thought of this when entering the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Leaving the other disciples near the entrance of the garden, Jesus asked Peter, James and John to come in with Him. Filled with sorrow, Jesus fell facedown and poured out His heart to God. He didn’t want to face the trials, the angry crowds, the beatings, and the cross. Yet He prayed for God’s will. Jesus was born to die for us. After praying, Jesus found Peter, James, and John sleeping. After praying a second time, His three closest friends were sleeping again! Have you ever been so sleepy that you couldn’t keep your eyes open? Maybe the disciples felt this way. After praying once...
Read MoreJesus Prays in a Peaceful Garden
A long time ago, olive oil was prepared by crushing olives in a large wooden or stone bowl called a mortar. Oil presses were also used. “Gethsemane” comes from the Hebrew for “oil press”. The Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus went to pray before He went to the cross, may have held an oil press. Numerous olive trees grew on the Mount of Olives, which is the hillside where the garden was located, outside of Jerusalem. From the Mount of Olives, Jesus had a great view of Jerusalem and the Temple to the west. Bethlehem was to the south. The Dead Sea and the Jordan Valley were on the east. Bethany was located on the Mount of Olives where Jesus often visited Lazarus and his sisters, Mary and Martha. Luke 21 tells about the final week before Jesus’ death on a...
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If it’s in the Bible, The Pirate Preacher knows the story. Monday nights he leads a “Jesus Study” in Moore Square, Raleigh, NC. Each Sunday you will find him in the park and at the bus station helping others enjoy the abundant life Jesus promised.
The Pirate Preacher helped launch Christian Devotions Ministries and is the former CEO of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas, a Christian book publishing company. He’s also a “Blessed Selling” author and Writers’ Coach.
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Jehovah Jireh: The Incredible Provider — A super Hero Graphic Novel
