The details on these pages are for the original EasterLIVE project that ran during Easter 2010. See EasterLIVE 2011 visit: www.easterlive2011.com
It was supposed to be just another Passover week for the Jewish people gathering in Jerusalem. But this year a preacher/carpenter from Nazareth was set to turn the tables of history - right before their eyes. Scandal. Betrayal. Torture. Hope.
Follow the Easter story tweeted in real time from the viewpoint of nine eyewitnesses to the events. From the Centurions who crucified Jesus, to the insiders in Caiaphas' Sanhedrin council, this is The Passion like you've never experienced it before.
As one of Jesus' band of disciples, Andrew sees first hand his Master's journey to the cross. Like the other disciples he's expectant and yet nervous of what will happen in the days after Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Andrew is not afraid to say exactly how he feels.
Andrew's Writer
Andrew Horton
Andrew is Founder and CEO of Worldview Media - a media production consultancy, based in Woking. He's worked as a video journalist and TV presenter for 365 Media and BBC Local TV, as well as in the newsroom at Premier Christian Radio. His hobbies are as diverse as target rifle shooting, following new bands, and creative writing. He's never far away from Facebook and Twitter, and likes the challenge of telling a story in just 140 characters.
Andrew says: "To take on the role of Andrew was a daunting task, but as a minor disciple it was fascinating to try and work out what it was like to be on the fringes of Jesus' inner circle. I guess the main challenge was to capture the range of emotions Andrew must have felt – from the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, to the hear-ripping horror of seeing his Master crucified, and seemingly defeated by death. What I love most about the Easter story is the seismic shift from despair on Friday and Saturday to the hope and joy of Easter Sunday."
One of Pilate's centurions, Antonius holds a tough line and allows no concessions to the law. He resents the hectic schedule of Passover, and yet he's distracted by this man Jesus. He's tough and brutal, but often has the potential to let his guard down.
Antonius' Writer
Ernest Harris
At the age of sixteen Ernest signed up for the British Army. Having gone through training, and qualified in target surveillance and acquisition, he served as a Gunner. He is currently completing a Theology degree at Cliff College, where he says he's grown in the faith and knowledge of God. He's also currently the student President.
Ernest says: "It was rather difficult for me to engage with the character of Antonius. Firstly, it has been a while since I left the British Army and, secondly, I think I now know more than I did then. So while writing I had to think really hard and put on my army hat, and also try my best to forget the concept of Theology and the knowledge I had of Jesus, to effectively be Antonius the soldier. It has been an enjoyable experience and most of all I have received a fresh revelation of God."
As a Gentile, Justus is somewhat of a bystander to events of the Jewish Passover. Trying to keep himself to himself this week is no easy matter in the crowded streets and squares of Jerusalem. But, as a logical, reasoned man he is fascinated by what he hears and sees of Jesus of Nazareth.
Justus' Writer
Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts is a twenty-something TV cameraman from South Wales. He loves sport, music, films and travelling (when he can!). He loves spending time with his mates and plays five-a-side football twice a week. He enjoys a drink or three and always likes meeting new people.
Dave says: "Easter doesn't mean as much to me these days as when I was a kid. Not being a religious person I find the commercial hype surrounding the festival tiring. These days I see Easter as a chance to spend a day with the family - have a nice lunch and perhaps squeeze in a creme egg or two. I am aware of the Christian story of Easter but it's not something I celebrate greatly..."
A centurion under Pilate, Markus is frankly fed up with the Jewish people flooding Jerusalem each year for Passover. He'll do his job like any good Roman soldier – but sometimes a bit too well. He relishes punishing anyone who gets on the wrong side of the law, or his ego.
Markus' Writer
Liam Smith
47-year-old Liam is married with one daughter, Louise. He works as a security guard and previously worked as a Prison Officer. His spare time is spent writing & performing comedy all over London. He and his wife were regular church goers. They had a full mass wedding & Julie was the church treasurer. But, unfortunately their daughter is physically & mentally disabled and due to the congregation’s attitude to Louise's problems during mass, they had to stop attending their local church.
Liam says: "I have to say I sadly found it easy to engage with my character, as I have had a lot of experience working with basically aggressive and negative security type people. Unfortunately I have to say in security there are bullies and some very unpleasant people (I don't include myself in this). The problem with security work is it can give people of low intelligence too much power."
10 year old Miriam sees and tells things just as they are. No agenda. No preconceptions. Usually Passover is a fun time for her to enjoy the festivities with her friends. But this year she's distracted but entranced by the teacher from Nazareth.
Miriam's Writer
Tara Munro
Tara is 18 years old and currently studying at Cliff College. She loves watching films and reading books, and has an interest in doing youth work outside of the church. She plans to study at Cliff for three years.
Tara says: "I engaged with the character of Miriam by thinking about some of the younger girls at my church and how objective things should be or seem to be for them. Also, I asked God to guide me while I did it, to take me out of the busyness of where I was to focus fully on this. I'd like to think I would share the curiosity my character seems to possess in how she sees things if I was actually there."
Ora lives and works in Jerusalem. She's widowed with a son in his early thirties. Thoughtful and empathetic she ponders events as she sees them, but also has concern for those around her. Passover is greeted with joy, but trepidation as she finds it hard to find quiet times to herself.
Ora's Writer
Ann Clifford
Ann is a writer, theatre director and film-maker, mentoring many in the arts. After her MA in Screenwriting she wrote the feature film Shaking Dream Land produced by Eagle Films, released in 2007. Ann is on the leadership team of Bless Community Church. Married to Steve (General Director of the Evangelical Alliance) she works alongside him where appropriate. They live in an extended household. She has two grown-up children.
Ann says: "As a mother of a daughter and a son I could immediately empathize with Mary, the mother of Jesus, watching with expectation, her son doing exactly what he was born for. The fact that this turns into his trial and death is simply agonizing and not something, I think, she was ever prepared for. As the character Ora watches this dramatic story unfold I could understand her interest in the authenticity of this extraordinary man, coupled with her heartfelt empathy towards a mother’s tragedy."
Reuben has an official and public role in the Sanhedrin. He wants to meet with Jesus but outside the glare of publicity. He's been studying the scriptures about the Messiah and knows of the tradition of a suffering, rejected Messiah as well as a triumphant one.
Reuben's Writer
Richard Harvey
Richard is a Jewish believer in Jesus who teaches Hebrew Bible and Jewish studies at All Nations, a mission training college for international students. He has written about Messianic Jews and the questions Jewish people have, and how to answer Jewish objections to belief in Jesus. His wife is also a Messianic Jew, and their Jewish family (who do not yet believe in Jesus) know about their beliefs but still see them very much as family. He has written the part of Reuben with that sense of belonging to the Jewish people, and waiting for Israel's Messiah.
Richard says: "I imagined myself as many of my people are – curious about Jesus, but not wanting to put their heads above the parapet in case they bring shame on family, or friends, or community for admitting an interest in and attraction to Yeshua (Jesus). I didn't let tradition prevent me from accepting the truth of Jesus – but the cost of becoming a disciple may involve loss of respect, rejection by family, loss of position and profession, and the same trials Jesus himself faced. It's not an easy choice, but one at the back of Reuben's mind as he secretly longs to find out more. The tweets express his curiosity, shock and amazement, and humility at the challenge to faith, and humour."
It's always an exciting time for Shimon - coming to Jerusalem to celebrate Passover. He acknowledges the buzz around Jesus of Nazareth, but only in passing. It's first and foremost a week of celebration. And he's determined to experience it to the full.
Shimon's Writer
Ali Johnson
Ali Johnson is a mission support worker at Cliff College and is involved in the life of St John's Church in Hillsborough. He completed a BA in Theology in 2008 at Cliff College. He is a passionate communicator of the Gospel and has spoken at numerous Christian events. He also loves writing and blogging. Ali is passionate to see the Church proclaiming the Good News of Jesus to the world in a relevant and authentic way.
Ali says: "I am on a journey just like Shimon. I was just like him, turning up for the party and not fully understanding what was going in front of me. Over a period of a time I began seeing how the things that Jesus was banging on about were becoming true, just as Shimon was going through that."
Yossi is part of the Sanhedrin council and has a close relationship with the High Priest, Caiaphas - observing and reporting to him what he sees as threats to his authority. Jesus is a threat, and Yossi makes no secret of his concerns about this radical.
Yossi's Writer
Rev. Prof. Nicholas Sagovsky
Nicholas is Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey and Visiting Professor in Theology and Public Life at Liverpool Hope University. For eleven years, he taught theology and had responsibility for the Chapel as Dean of Clare College, Cambridge. He is much involved in supporting asylum seekers and working for reform of the UK Asylum System. He is married to Ruth, and has two adult children.
Nicholas says: "Yossi made me look again at the story of Jesus from an institutional perspective. He's clever and it's his job to stay on top of problems. Underneath, he is ruthless. It was quite a challenge to follow Holy Week imaginatively from a completely different perspective. Imagining what Yossi would be saying and feeling in the moment as events unfolded brought me in touch with what it all must have felt like in real time, and how different people were experiencing the same events so very differently. I wondered what would breach Yossi's well-organised defences. To explore that it would be good to try to get into the skin of Saul the Pharisee."

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