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This Easter, be encouraged by three good news stories highlighting Jesus’ impact in film, faith, and public life.

Easter week is the most sacred time of year on the Christian calendar, which we can easily forget in secular days like these.

For many Australians, Easter has become a cherished time to gather with family and make the most of the long weekend and the beautiful autumn weather. Hot cross buns, Easter egg hunts and other playful traditions have become synonymous with the season.

But at the heart of Easter is one person: Jesus Christ. At Easter, we pause and turn our focus to the most important man who ever lived, recalling His suffering, His horrific death, and His glorious resurrection.

At Easter, God set the world right again, purchasing our redemption, removing our sin as far as the east is from the west, and reconciling all creation back to Himself.

As you attend services this weekend and spend time with loved ones, we pray that the beauty and true meaning of Holy Week would stir your heart anew and draw you into the wonder of Christ and his precious sacrifice.

We also want to share with you three quick good news stories that are unfolding this Easter.

Jesus Takes the Box Office By Storm

First, a film about Jesus has become the 4th most watched movie in Australian cinemas this week.

The Chosen: Last Supper opened in 130 theatres nationwide with a view to being screened for just the week preceding Easter. But due to popular demand, this portrayal of Jesus’ passion will be screened for an additional week in 110 cinemas around Australia.

We encourage you to take this opportunity to see the film if you have not yet. Find a screening near you here.

Our second good news story is also about the box office. Another Christian film is bringing the hope of Easter to Australian families, and that’s The King of Kings — an animated adaptation of a little-known Charles Dickens book about the life of Christ.

The King of Kings is so popular in the United States that it has already broken the longstanding record for animated biblical films set by The Prince of Egypt in 1998.

Set in Victorian England, the film follows Dickens as he recounts the life of Christ to his youngest son, Walter, as a bedtime story. Walter journeys through the streets of Jerusalem, observes Jesus’ interactions, and witnesses his betrayal, death and resurrection.

The King of Kings is currently showing in almost 140 theatres nationwide. Find a session near you here. And check out the trailer below.

Trump’s Prayer for ‘An Outpouring of the Holy Spirit’

The third good news item comes from the White House, where President Donald Trump has pulled out all stops to celebrate Easter and put Jesus at the centre of the Christian holiday.

Last year, President Joe Biden used Easter Sunday to celebrate ‘Transgender Day of Visibility’, sparking intense backlash from everyday Americans.

This year, President Trump has struck a different note.

“In His final hours on Earth, Christ willingly endured excruciating pain, torture, and execution on the cross out of a deep and abiding love for all His creation,” Trump wrote in his official Easter proclamation.

“Through His suffering, we have redemption. Through His death, we are forgiven of our sins. Through His Resurrection, we have hope of eternal life.”

The president also prayed for “an outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our beloved Nation” during Holy Week. Easter festivities at the White House include prayer services, worship music, a formal Easter dinner, a private worship service with communion, along with appearances by prominent Christian leaders.

With all that said, we wish you a joyful and blessed Easter.

He is risen!

The Canberra Declaration Team

P.S. Please join us for the National Day of Repentance on Monday 21st April 2025. Find out more information here. Also join us for our nightly Turn the Tide: 21 Days of Prayer and Fasting for the 2025 Election online prayer meetings. Tune in at 8 PM (AEST) on Zoom link: https://zoom.us/s/776881184.

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Image courtesy of Unsplash.