(PHOTO BY RENEA KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER)
TOMB …The empty tomb serves as a powerful symbol of Jesus’ resurrection, embodying the true essence of Easter.
By: Renea Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
renea@thevillagereporter.com
The Trail of Easter was held for the fifth year in the Lockport area of Fulton and Williams Counties. It invited everyone to take a driving tour to see visual depictions of the Easter story from the Bible. The event took place from Thursday, April 17, to Sunday, April 20.
The week unfolds with countless twists as Jesus approaches his final hours on earth. He embraces the will of his Heavenly Father, continuing to teach and prepare his disciples for the imminent events.
Meanwhile, religious leaders plot against him, and even his most devoted followers turn away. Aware that this would occur, Jesus willingly surrendered to his aggressors, offering his body and blood as a sacrifice for humanity.
As he hung on the cross, he bore the punishment for all sins, despite being without sin himself. Sin creates a barrier between us and God, yet God’s desire is for everyone to return to Him.
That is why He sent His Son into the world. Jesus accepted the cost of our sins so that we could be reconciled with our Heavenly Father and, ultimately, dwell with Him for eternity.
In his final moments on the cross, Jesus proclaimed, “It is finished.” At that instant, the curtain of the Holy of Holies—the sacred space where God was believed to dwell and where only the high priest could enter annually, always avoiding a direct gaze upon God—tore from top to bottom.
This act signified that through Jesus Christ, everyone now has access to God’s presence. The choice of whether to accept this gift belongs to us.
Supported by family members and the congregation of the Lockport Mennonite Church, this event continues to educate people about Christ’s story and his final week on Earth.
Significant items from Jesus’s story are positioned at ten different locations along a nearly ten-mile trail. The trail is clearly marked to ensure that visitors don’t miss the opportunity to experience these meaningful displays.
Among the items showcased are an overturned money changer’s table, a Passover meal table, a crown of thorns, a cross, and the empty tomb.
The “Trail of Easter” is a delightful event designed for families and individuals to celebrate the Easter season in a unique and interactive way, all from the comfort of their vehicles.