About 2,000 years ago in a lonely, dusty outpost of the Roman Empire, three men were put to death by crucifixion. Two of the men were criminals and earned their punishment. The third, named Jesus, was completely innocent of all charges against him. The Roman authorities, always concerned with the threat of insurrection, had given in to the religious authorities and had tortured this man by flogging, mocking and forcing him to carry his cross until he could go no further. The flogging itself was so traumatic that it would sometimes lead to death.
About 9am, 5″ spikes were driven through his wrists and another one through his feet, which were stacked on top of each other on the cross. Jesus was lifted up on the cross and the charge of “King of the Jews” was placed above his head written in the three most common languages of the day.
Crucifixion is probably the most painful way to die. It was created specifically to allow for maximum suffering and as a visible warning to anyone willing to challenge the authority of the empire.
The normal cause of death was asphyxiation, brought on by the inability to breathe properly. If the Romans wanted to speed up the process, they would break the kneecaps of the victims preventing them from lifting their bodies and filling their lungs. Death would come quickly after this.
At noon, darkness covered the world for about 3 hours as Jesus uttered his last words and released his spirit. The religious authorities demanded that the legs be broken to speed the process along so that the bodies would not remain on the cross for the coming Sabbath. The soldiers dispatched the two criminals. When they came to Jesus and found that he was already dead, they pierced his side with a spear.
As painful as the flogging and crucifixion were, the most horrible pain came later, a 3-day separation from God. Jesus lived in constant fellowship with his Father throughout his short life. When he willingly took on the entire curse of disobedience, his spirit was sent to hell to receive the full punishment for all mankind.
Jesus didn’t have to die if he didn’t want to because there was no disobedience (sin) in him. The devil had tried numerous times to take his life, but he would just go on about his way. Jesus willingly gave his life for you. As an analogy, imagine if you had a friend that had to serve time in jail, but instead you took their place and paid the price for them. That is what Jesus did for us all.
After his death, a wealthy man and secret follower of Jesus named Joseph of Arimethea demanded the body of Jesus from the Roman authorities, and with the help of another follower wrapped the body and hurriedly placed in Joseph’s tomb before sundown.
Jesus had told his followers several times that he would die, but on the third day return. The religious authorities were intent on preventing someone from stealing the body and then claiming that Jesus rose from the dead. Of course, they still did not believe Jesus was who he said he was. To prevent this possibility, they placed armed guards at the tomb and sealed it shut.
Early on Sunday morning an angel rolled away the stone. The guards were frozen with fear at the sight of the angelic being sitting on the tomb. At this point some of the female followers of Jesus approached the tomb. They had brought spices to properly prepare the body. They were the first to confirm that he had in fact risen.
For several days he appeared to numerous followers and explained the events and the meaning behind his death and resurrection before finally returning to his Father. From these events, Christianity was born and continues to grow.
For 4,000 years, there had been hundreds of prophecies about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus that were perfectly fulfilled during his life. Throughout the Old Testament there are shadows and types of Jesus and his mission.
As an example, God made a covenant with Abraham and as part of this agreement requested that Abraham sacrifice his son Isaac, thereby “proving” that Abraham could fulfill his side of the covenant so God could legally fulfill His side. In one of the most profound prophecies, Abraham told his son, “…God would provide a sacrifice.” Because of Abraham’s obedience, that is exactly what God did. He provided a perfect and final sacrifice.
Other types can be seen in Moses lifting up the serpent, representing judgement of sin and death, on the pole in the wilderness. Also in the Temple sacrifices, two animals were brought and one was selected to die and one became the “scapegoat” and was released carrying the people’s sin into the wilderness, foreshadowing the two “deaths” Jesus suffered – physical on the cross and spiritual in hell.
Both Isaiah and David described in graphic detail the death of Jesus hundreds of years before crucifixion was even invented! Prophets described his virgin birth, birthplace, last words on the cross and many other facets of his ministry. The probability that any of these would be fulfilled in the life of one man is doubtful. The fact that all were fulfilled in the life of Jesus offers much assurance that he was who he claimed to be.
Easter is what sets Christianity apart from every man made religion. In all other religions, you are rewarded for what you do and in some cases your salvation can never be a certainty.
With Christ, he has done everything for you. All you have to do is receive the free gift of salvation by faith. Or in even more simple terms, God has declared you forgiven and desires a relationship with you. But He can’t fellowship with someone who is not righteous (made right or in right standing with God). All He asks is that you trust and believe in what He has done through Jesus and He then declares you righteous (perfect) and wipes away all memory of your past!
Now that is some Good News!
I like chocolate bunnies and I’ll even knock down a marshmallow peep from time to time. But Easter is so much more than hunting eggs and new clothes. As you celebrate this weekend, don’t forget the really wonderful reason behind the season!
If you would like to explore the subject further, visit my lenses on Good Friday and Easter Sunday as well as the following:
Roxie’s Big News – A children’s story about a dove that announces the Resurrection of Jesus. Includes a companion lesson.
A Whispering Pines Easter – A cat named Boris and his friends celebrate Easter. This Easter Sunday story is part of the Boris Kitty series.
Heaven’s Art Gallery – A powerful short story about the transforming power of Jesus in your life.
Easter Sermons and Stories – Links to additional children’s stories, sermons and other resources.
For additional Easter Sunday resources
HAVE A VERY HAPPY EASTER!!!
