EASTER
The
Death & Life of Jesus Christ
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SETTING THE STAGE
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At this
point in time, Jesus' ministry is about three and a half years
old. During these few years He has amazed the people with His
teaching, miracles, and His compassion for people. Many had
recognized Him as the Messiah.
But not everyone loved Jesus. The Pharisees, the religious
leaders of the day, were violently opposed to Him. They hated Him
because Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. Also, they used their
religious standing to impress the people and were not genuine in
their faith. Jesus, who knew their thoughts, confronted them many
times about this. Needless to say there was tremendous tension
between Jesus and the Pharisees
The Pharisees also feared that if Jesus was allowed to continue
His ministry everyone would follow Him and the Roman government
(who controlled Israel at the time) would come in and take away
their rights (John 11:48). So they plotted to kill Him.
It was Judas Iscariot, one of the disciples, who went to the
chief priest and offered to deliver Jesus to them. He was paid
thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus (Matt. 26:14-16)
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WHAT WAS REALLY HAPPENING
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Jesus came to die on the cross for our sins.
He knew this -- He had predicted His death and resurrection on
many times. The Bible had said that Jesus was to be "wounded
for our transgressions" and that by "His stripes we are
healed [forgiven]" Isaiah 53.
The fact that the Pharisees were planning to kill Jesus shows us
how God can allow man to make His own decisions and at the same
time accomplish His goals.
God knew that the Pharisees would want to kill Jesus so He
created His plan around this fact. As Psalm 76:10 says,
"Surely the wrath of man shall praise You."
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JUDAS BETRAYS JESUS (Matt. 26:14-16)
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"Then
one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priest
and said, 'What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to
you?' And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. So
from that time he sought opportunity to betray Him" Matthew
26:14-16
Judas was one of the twelve disciples. He was in charge of the
money so obviously he was very trusted by the other disciples
(after all, how many people do you trust with your money?).
Judas talked with Jesus, ate with Him, they traveled together, he
watched Jesus heal the sick and raise the dead, he listen to Him
teach, he observed the way Jesus loved people.
Then he betrayed Him.
Judas was never a follower of Jesus and he had everyone fooled -
except Jesus. Jesus had predicted that Judas would betray Him
(Matt 26:25). He knows the heart and the intentions of every
person.
Knowing Judas was the betrayer, how did Jesus treat him?
Surprisingly, He treated Judas with love. Even when Judas came to
turn Jesus over He still called him "friend" a term
that shows He cared for him. If you have not accepted Jesus, He
still loves you and will become your Savior and your friend if
you ask Him to be.
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PETER DENIES JESUS (Matt 26:69-74)
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"Then
he began to curse and swear, saying, 'I do not know the Man!'
Immediately a rooster crowed. And Peter remembered the word of
Jesus who had said, 'Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me
three times.' So he went out and wept bitterly." Matthew
26:74-75
Ever mess up? If so take heart - Jesus will
forgive you! Poor Peter was scared when he saw Jesus being
attacked after He was arrested (Matt 26:67) and when questioned
he viciously denied even knowing Jesus. Again Jesus had predicted
this as well and wasn't surprised. Peter was devestated by this.
But Jesus forgave him and Peter went on to write a part of the
Bible! Jesus doesn't look at where we are, He looks at what we
will become. Peter was given another chance. The same is true
when you mess up. Jesus isn't surprised. But if we confess our
sins He is just to forgive them. Our God is the God of second
chances (and third chances and fourth chances and fifth
chances…)
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THE TRIAL OF JESUS (Matt 26:57 - 27:25)
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"Pilate said to them, 'What then shall I do with Jesus
who is called Christ?' They all said to him, 'Let Him be
crucified!' Then the governor said, 'Why, what evil has He done?'
But they cried out all the more, saying, Let Him be
crucified!" Matthew 27:22-23
The Bible says that Jesus went on to six
trials. Each time no fault was found in Him yet the mob (which
was in a frenzy by this time) demanded He be crucified. It's
interesting to note Jesus' reaction to His accusers - He was
silent. He knew that they were not interested in truth but rather
they just wanted Him dead.
Another point of interest was that, during the trials, Jesus had
said that He was "King of the Jews" and the "Son
of God". This was blasphemy to the Jews because Jesus was
claiming to be God. They also tired to convict Him because He
said He would, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will
raise it up." They thought He meant the temple the Jews
worshiped in but He had meant Himself.
And what your seeing as you read through these trials is Jesus'
words being misunderstood. He is falsely accused. The people
didn't understand what He was there to do and quite frankly they
didn't care. Not much has changed in 2000 years.
Public demand had become so great that Pilate turned Him, who was
there because of our sins, over to the crowd to be crucified.
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DEATH ON THE CROSS (Matt. 27:35-50)
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"Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down
his life for his friends." John 15:13
During all this Jesus was alone. He was
beaten so badly that, if you saw Him, you wouldn't even think
that He was a man. He had been scourged which means He was
whipped (Matt 27:26). This whip had either a piece of metal or
bone attached to the end. Many times scourging alone was fatal.
As they spit on Him a crown of thorns was made and a reed (a
scepter) was put in His hand and they bowed, mocking Him saying,
"Hail, King of the Jews." Then they took the reed out
of His hand and beat Him on the head with it. (Matt. 27:29-31).
Jesus endured this for you. He is in the process of paying for
your sins so that you can be with Him in heaven. Your sin
separates you from God and He is paying the price Himself because
He is the only one worthy to.
But it wasn't finished yet.
Beaten, battered, and bloodied, He was then nailed to a cross -
nails driven through His wrist and His feet. A sign was put above
His head that read, "THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE
JEWS" (Matt. 27:37). Those who passed by they blasphemed Him
(Matt. 27:39). Even two thieves, who were crucified with Him
mocked Him (Matt 27:44).
But it wasn't finished yet.
Darkness covered the land and Jesus cried out, "My God, My
God why have you forsaken Me? God's wrath was being poured out
unto Jesus. If we were there to hear this, our blood would run
cold because we would realize that Jesus was crying this so we
would never have to.
Six hours after He was nailed to the cross Jesus said, "It
is finished" (John 19:30).
Then, if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, your sins -
past, present, and future - were forgiven. Because a sacrifice
was made in your place.
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THE EMPTY TOMB (Matt 28)
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"But the angel answered and said to the women, 'Do not
be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not
here; for He is risen." Matthew 28:5-6
Three days later.
Two women went to see the tomb of Jesus. When
they arrived, an angel was there and said to them, "'Do not
be afraid, for I know you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not
here; for He is risen." (Matthew 28:1-6). Jesus had overcome
death - just as He said He would.
Jesus said that He came so that we might have a more abundent
life. He came so that a path to God could be paved and no one
gets to heaven without going through this one path.
Jesus said that He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks.
And if anyone opens his heart to Him, He will come in.
If you would like to accept Jesus as your Savior and go to heaven
when you die - if you want to overcome death -- all you have to
do is recognize that your aren't perfect. You are a sinner. And
the death that Jesus endured was payment your imperfection. Then
all you have to do is pray this prayer:
Lord, I realize that I am a sinner. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus to die for my sins. I accept Him now as my Lord and Savior. Amen.