The Executioners: Who Were the Romans?

The time that Jesus was born, lived and died in was established and set in motion largely by the Roman Empire. So what should Christians know about the Roman Empire to help us understand the story of Easter? In this episode, Dan helps us see how understanding Rome and the Romans unlocks our own und…

The Secret Disciples: Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea

Today, in the West, it might be hard to imagine what it means to have to keep our faith a secret. But there are two secret disciples in the Easter story - Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. They enjoyed power and prestige among the religious elite - but had to keep their love for Jesus quiet. In th…

The Witnesses: The Women of Easter

Today it might not seem so strange that women were the first to see the empty tomb of Jesus or that women were the first ones to announce the empty tomb to the rest of Jesus’ followers. But in the Greco-Roman world, women were not the messengers the world trusted to bear important news. And yet, th…

The Religious: The Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at the religious leaders of the day, the Pharisees, Scribes, and Sadducees. Many of us don’t really know who …

The Doubter: Thomas

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at Thomas, the disciple who is known for his doubts. In this episode, we'll also look at his certainty. Char…

The Powerless: Pilate

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor who presided over the trial of Jesus. Characters of Easter Resources:…

The Rogue: Barrabas

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at the one who betrayed Jesus. We'll look at him in a way you possibly haven't looked at him before. Charact…

The Betrayer: Judas

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at the one who betrayed Jesus. We'll look at him in a way you possibly haven't looked at him before. Follo…

The Beloved: John

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at one of Jesus' closest friends, the Beloved Apostle, John. Characters of Easter Resources: To find resourc…

The Failure: Peter

In The Characters of Easter, you’ll become acquainted with the unlikely collection of ordinary people who witnessed the miracle of Christ’s death and resurrection. In this episode, we look at the so-called failure of Easter, the Apostle Peter. Characters of Easter Resources: To find resources for…