The Faces of Easter (week 5: Jesus Christ)
Introduction to The Faces of Easter
As we approach Easter, we are invited to reflect on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—a story that has shaped the world and continues to change lives. The narrative involves many people, each with their own role to play, responses to the unfolding events, and a personal encounter with the Savior.
In this five-part devotional series, The Faces of Easter, Pastor Daniel will help us explore the key figures in the Easter story—those who were present during the final days of Jesus’ earthly ministry. From the disciples to the religious leaders, from the betrayer to the faithful, each person’s story holds lessons for us today. Together, we will see how their choices and actions helped shape the narrative of Easter.
Each Wednesday, we’ll focus on a different character, starting with Judas, the one who betrayed Jesus, moving through Peter, who denied Him, and Pilate, who washed his hands of the decision. We’ll then reflect on the faithfulness of Mary Magdalene, the first to witness the resurrection, before concluding with Jesus Himself, whose death and resurrection offer us forgiveness, hope, and new life.
This devotional series seeks to help us prepare our hearts for Easter by reflecting on the people involved in the story and considering how their experiences mirror our own journeys of faith. Whether we’re struggling with doubts, facing difficult decisions, or seeking a deeper and stronger walk with God, we’ll find our stories intertwined with theirs.
As we walk through these Faces of Easter, we’ll discover not only the impact they had on the events of that first Easter, but how they call us to live with greater faith, repentance, and hope in the Savior who changed everything.
Jesus Christ — the Savior
All the faces we've seen throughout this series—Judas, Peter, Pilate, Mary—point us to this one: the face of Jesus. He is the central figure of Easter. His is the face of compassion, authority, sorrow, strength, sacrifice, and love. Every twist in the Passion story, every heartbreak and victory, leads us to His cross and His empty tomb. In Jesus, we find the forgiveness of sin, the hope of resurrection, and the offer of a brand-new life. He is the reason Easter matters—not just once a year, but every single day.
“He was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed.”
—Isaiah 53:5 (NLT)
“Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit. At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, rocks split apart…”
—Matthew 27:50–51 (NLT)
“Don’t be afraid!” the angel said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen.”
—Matthew 28:5–6 (NLT)
Throughout this devotional series, we’ve looked at the Faces of Easter—the broken, the faithful, the proud, and the confused. But now we fix our eyes on Jesus, “the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He is not only the center of the story—He is the reason the story exists at all.
Jesus willingly entered into human pain and suffering. The same Jesus who healed the sick and welcomed the outcast now stood condemned, mocked, beaten, and crucified. He was the only truly innocent one in the story—and yet He bore the full weight of humanity’s guilt.
As He hung on the cross, He cried out, “Father, forgive them…” (Luke 23:34). Even in agony, His mission remained one of mercy. He was pierced—not for His own crimes, but for ours. As Isaiah prophesied centuries earlier, “He was crushed for our sins… so we could be healed.”
And then, after six grueling hours on the cross, Jesus gave up His spirit—and the world shook. The curtain in the Temple tore in two, symbolizing that the barrier between God and humanity had been removed. Through Jesus, we now have full access to the Father. That’s what Easter makes possible.
But the story doesn’t end with death. Three days later, the women approached the tomb and heard the earth-shattering words: “He isn’t here! He is risen!” Jesus defeated sin and death. The empty grave is God's declaration that love wins, that new life is possible, and that hope can never truly die.
The resurrection is not just a spiritual idea—it’s a historical reality and a personal invitation. Jesus didn’t just rise for Himself; He rose for you. To give you a fresh start, to wipe clean your failures, to bring peace to your chaos, and to invite you into eternal life with Him.
His face is the face of Easter. When you look into it, you see both the cost of sin and the depth of grace.
As we conclude The Faces of Easter, we’re left with a decision: What will we do with Jesus? Judas betrayed Him. Peter denied Him. Pilate washed his hands. Mary clung to Him. What will you do? Easter is more than a holiday. It’s an invitation to surrender, to believe, and to follow. The face of Jesus looks toward you with love, not shame. He offers forgiveness, hope, and new life—not because we deserve it, but because He delights to give it.
Here are a few questions to reflect on as you center your heart:
What part of Jesus’ death and resurrection speaks most deeply to your current season of life?
Are there areas of your life that still feel like Saturday—silent, uncertain, in-between? What would it look like to trust in Sunday’s resurrection hope?
How is Jesus inviting you to respond to His sacrifice and resurrection today—with repentance, faith, surrender, or renewed joy?
Prayer
Jesus, my Savior, thank You for going to the cross for me. Thank You for taking the weight of my sin, my shame, and my brokenness. Thank You for not staying in the grave but rising in victory so I can live with hope. Today, I fix my eyes on Your face—the face of mercy, the face of power, the face of love. Help me live a resurrected life, walking in Your grace and sharing Your message of hope. May Easter not just be a story I remember, but a reality I live. In Your name, Amen.
The Faces of Easter reveal a cast of characters who are real, raw, and relatable. But only one face holds the power to save—Jesus. May His love transform your life this Easter season and beyond.
