On the morning of April 20, 2025, with a solemn service and an atmosphere filled with reverence and the presence of God, the Easter retreat in Brazil, “The Cross of the Precious Blood,” came to a close. This event brought together a community of faith for spiritual renewal, ending with a powerful and moving closing message followed by the celebration of the Holy Communion.
Pastor Simon, the spiritual leader of the congregation, delivered the final message. With words full of wisdom and anointing, Pastor Simon unfolded the deep meaning of the cross and the precious blood of Jesus Christ. In his message, he emphasized the supreme sacrifice of Jesus, who gave His life for humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation with God.
Pastor Simon explained that the cross is not only a symbol of suffering but also of unconditional love and victory over sin and death. Each Scripture verse he cited deeply resonated in the hearts of those present, reminding them of the magnitude of God’s love and the importance of living a life of gratitude and service to Him.
He continued with a meaningful message, explaining that although we often think about the 33 years of Jesus’ life, there are three particularly important years, and within those, three days that are even more crucial. The main focus would be the meaning of those three days, although Pastor Simon noted that due to the depth of the topic, it would be impossible to cover everything in one single meeting.
He used clear examples to illustrate the simplicity of the Gospel, pointing out that even a child can understand that Jesus died for our sins. However, the resurrection, in particular, is filled with meanings and truths that we must treasure. He acknowledged that the amount of information might be overwhelming and that not everyone would remember every detail. Nevertheless, he emphasized that worship is not only about remembering but also about experiencing a personal encounter with God.
He explained each verse in depth, starting with John 20:11-18. In this passage, Mary Magdalene weeps at the empty tomb. She sees two angels and then Jesus, whom she initially mistakes for the gardener. When Jesus calls her by name, she recognizes Him. Pastor Simon explained that this encounter is significant because it shows that the resurrection is personal and transformative. Jesus reveals Himself to Mary, and she becomes the first to proclaim the good news to the disciples.
Pastor Simon pointed out that the resurrection accounts appear in all four Gospels, highlighting their central importance to the Christian faith. Without the resurrection, our faith would rest on mere human ideas. Every Christian has the responsibility to share this vital message. However, he also explained that the resurrection is a supernatural concept and, therefore, difficult to understand. Even the disciples doubted at first, thinking Mary was imagining things.
He gave clear examples of how the disciples’ initial disbelief reflects our own struggle to accept the supernatural. He quoted Luke 24:9-11, where the women’s words about seeing the risen Jesus seemed like nonsense to the disciples. He explained that we often rationalize and doubt what we cannot fully understand. Yet, the persistence of Jesus’ story throughout two thousand years is a testimony of its truth.
The resurrection is not just a historical event but a truth that repeats in the life of every Christian. However, questions arise about how to explain this concept to those who do not believe. He gave examples of how the evangelists narrated the resurrection events as if they were happening in real-time, with the goal of testifying to what they had experienced. The resurrection was not only experienced by Mary Magdalene and the disciples, but also by 500 people, as mentioned in 1 Corinthians.
The pastor addressed the issue of Jesus’ resurrected body. Was it a ghost or a physical body? He announced that according to Paul, Jesus’ body was a glorified body, one that does not experience corruption or death. Though beyond our full comprehension, he used clear examples from nature, such as the transformation of a caterpillar into a butterfly, to illustrate the concept of resurrection and transformation.
The resurrection of Jesus validates His teachings, His authority, and His claim to be the Son of God. He announced that the resurrection confirms our justification, that is, the forgiveness of our sins, as mentioned in Romans 4:25. Easter, therefore, is a new beginning-a rebirth. He explained that the resurrection shows that Jesus’ sacrifice was accepted by God.
The resurrection reconciles us with God, restoring the relationship that was broken by sin. He explained that sin separates us from God, but through Jesus, we can be reconciled. As enemies of God, we were reconciled by the death of His Son, and now, having been reconciled, we are saved through His life, as mentioned in Romans 5:10-11.
Pastor Simon stated that the life Jesus offers is an abundant life, full of purpose and meaning. However, this life also involves carrying our own cross, just as Jesus did. The Christian life is not only joy, but also challenge and sacrifice. Yet at the end of the cross, there is resurrection.
He announced that after the resurrection, we have the mission to make disciples, to feed the sheep of Jesus, as mentioned in John 21. Emphasizing that the resurrection is not the end, but the beginning of a new stage of service and testimony. He concluded by reminding the audience of the importance of remembering Jesus’ sacrifice, the love He showed on the cross, and the Great Commission He left us.
After the message, the Holy Communion was held-a sacred moment in which believers remembered the words Jesus spoke at the Last Supper. Pastor Simon guided the congregation in this act of communion, recalling that the bread represents the body of Christ, broken for our sins, and the wine symbolizes His blood, shed for our redemption. Each participant received the elements with humility and gratitude, renewing their commitment to Christ and His church.
It was a moment of unity and communion. The words of Jesus, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” came to life at that moment, bringing to mind His redemptive sacrifice and the promise of His return.
The Easter retreat, “The Cross of the Precious Blood,” left a lasting mark on the hearts of those who attended. Through the messages, worship, and communion, the community was strengthened in faith and renewed in spirit.
The solemn conclusion of the retreat, with Pastor Simon’s message and the celebration of the Holy Communion, served as a powerful reminder of God’s love and the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Strengthened by this experience, the community in Brazil is now ready to face the challenges and opportunities ahead, carrying with them the message of the cross and the hope of the resurrection.