Today is Wednesday of Holy Week, the day the Judas initially decided he was going to betray Jesus, handing him over to the chief priests. He was given thirty pieces of silver for planning to betray Jesus, and looked for the perfect opportunity to do so.

After the betrayal of Judas, Jesus is arrested, crucified, and later resurrected. When Mary Magdalene and other women found his tomb empty, they were greeted by two angels who told them that he had risen and reminded them how he had told them he would crucified and rise again.

But what happened after Jesus had risen from the grave? He ascended into heaven eventually, after 40 days to be exact, but before that he appeared to some of his followers and disciples. The first was Mary Magdalene, who was sitting outside his tomb, crying about the missing body.

Mary did not recognize Jesus at first sight, thinking he was a gardener and asked him to return Jesus’ body if he had taken it. After she recognized him, he told her to go to his disciples and tell them “I am ascending to my Father and you Father, to my God and your God.”

The next to see Jesus after his resurrection were two of his disciples, on a road to Emmaus. They were confused about the recent events and talking about what was happening when Jesus appeared. Again, he was not recognized by them, so they told him what had happened to Jesus in the earlier day. They invited Jesus to stay with them, and when he broke the bread after blessing it, and give it to them, they finally realized who was in their presence. They returned to Jerusalem to spread the word.

Locked in a room out of fear of being crucified next, the apostles gathered together. And suddenly Jesus appeared before them, showing them the wounds in his hands and side, and saying, “Peace be with you.”

One apostle who wasn’t with them named Thomas, didn’t believe in his return. He wanted proof, he wanted to see his hand wounds and put his hand in Jesus’ side. When Jesus finally appeared to him, showing him his scars and injuries, Thomas finally believed that he was alive. Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen? Blessed are those who have not seen but have come to believe.”

When Jesus finally left to return to heaven, he appeared to more than 500 people, and told his disciples to go make disciples in every nation, teach his way, and baptize them. He then said to them, “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Many people know why we celebrate Easter, but many do not know what happened before and after Jesus was crucified. To understand the whole story, we must learn the whole story. Passing on this knowledge to our children can help them realize that Easter is an extremely important religious holiday, and is so much more than the Easter Bunny and egg hunts.

At St. Jude Shop, we have books, for both children and adults, that share valuable information about Easter and everything it means. It is important to know the reason behind holidays. Since Easter is a few days away, now is the perfect time to start.