Trump describes the gospel in Holy Week message

President Donald Trump promised to defend Christianity across the public sphere in a Palm Sunday statement honoring the week before Easter, characterized by the Christian faith as Holy Week. The Trump administration will not hesitate to protect religious liberty and God’s place in the public square, the statement read. The message offered prayers for a spiritual outpouring across America and a future that reflects the truth and beauty of heaven. Trump issued a similar statement online, describing America as a nation of believers. America needs God, and through Him the nation will be stronger than ever, he wrote Sunday night.

How did Trump recite the gospel? Trump’s message opened with a succinct recitation of the gospel by describing Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. He described Christ as the living Son of God who was crucified to conquer death and sin for all mankind. The statement also recounted the Easter story from Christ’s entry to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday to the Last Supper on Holy Thursday and the crucifixion on Good Friday. Easter Sunday could not come without the sacrifice and pain Christ willingly endured on the cross, according to the statement. His suffering brings redemption and forgiveness, and the empty tomb signals that death does not have the final word, he added.

Reactions? Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham, son of the late influential televangelist Billy Graham, praised Trump’s message and recalled the Biden administration’s treatment of Easter. What a contrast from last Easter when former President Joe Biden ordered a Transgender Day of Visibility to coincide with the most holy Christian holiday, Graham wrote.

Harvest Christian Fellowship Pastor Greg Laurie, the real-life inspiration for the movie Jesus Revolution, also noted the White House’s change in policy toward Holy Week in a Monday morning statement. Seeing the resurrection of Christ honored is a refreshing contrast in a time when truth is often blurred, Laurie wrote. Both Graham and Laurie planned to attend a White House dinner and worship service celebrating Easter later this week. Attendees will pray, read Scripture, and lift up the name of Jesus, Laurie added.

Dig deeper: Read Andrew T. Walker’s opinion piece from last year analyzing the backlash of Biden’s Transgender Day of Visibility proclamation.