Jakarta Revival Church held a two-day Easter Retreat on April 19-20, 2025, where the participants reflected deeply on the meaning of the Cross and the victory of Christ’s resurrection. The retreat emphasized that the Cross is not foolishness or failure but the ultimate expression of God’s love and salvation.
Over a series of Bible lectures on the first day, the participants were reminded of Isaiah’s prophecies of the Messiah, who would reign on David’s throne and bring glory to Jerusalem. Yet, when Jesus came, He was rejected and forced to walk the path of suffering foretold in Isaiah 53. He bore the grief of His people, and through His perfect obedience, even unto death, became the way of salvation for the world.
It was highlighted that Jesus did not die out of weakness, but out of love. His prayer at Gethsemane revealed the weight of sin and rejection He bore. The Cross was not defeat but triumph: though mankind rejected the Son, Christ turned hatred into victory, opening the way of salvation for all nations. The parable of the vineyard in Matthew 21 illustrated this truth, while His last words on the Cross, studied in John 19:28-30, confirmed Him as the true Messiah who fulfilled Scripture.
The retreat also included interactive games and quizzes to help participants review the lessons, as well as fellowship activities that strengthened bonds within the congregation.
On Easter Sunday, the retreat concluded with a sermon on Luke 24:13-35, reflecting on ‘The Road to Emmaus’. The message reminded the congregation that just as the disciples’ hearts burned when the risen Christ opened the Scriptures to them, believers today are called to live with renewed passion and faith in the risen Lord.
The retreat closed with affirmation of the central message of Easter, that Christ is risen; and through His resurrection, believers are called to proclaim His truth, walk in His victory, and shine His light to the world.