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Without the Resurrection, there would be no Easter! Jesus is alive! Can’t say the same about Buddha, or Mohammed. It is the triumphant victory and the work of redemption that God the Father had given Jesus to complete. God’s holy wrath against sin had been appeased and prophecy was fulfilled.
Once more Pilate came out and said to the Jews, “Look, I am bringing Him out to you to let you know that I find no basis for a charge against Him.” When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!” As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” (John 19:4-6)
The death of Jesus Christ was not out of control. Jesus Christ did not die as a misguided reactionary. Step by step God was moving His plan along. Jesus sees through the mob mentality and the political maneuvering to see the hand of God in these circumstances.
“So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha). Here they crucified Him, and with Him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.” (John 19:17-18)
At the appointed hour, Jesus began His lonely march toward His destined glory. But before entering the light of resurrection, He must travel through darkness and suffering. Jesus Christ was born into the world for one purpose: to die a redemptive death as a sacrifice for sin.
“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)
The hour for which He was born has come to pass—He was to be crucified by the hate of men and by the will of God. We must understand that these two go together. God uses the hate of men to accomplish His purposes. Keep this principle in mind: God works His purposes through holy men and sinful men. No sinful man can ever violate the plan of God. So, Jesus Christ moved to the cross in God’s plan.
“Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother, His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother there, and the disciple whom He loved standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Dear woman, here is your son,” and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” (John 19:27-27)
For Mary Magdalene, the cross was a place of redemption. Earlier, she had been under the power of demons when Jesus came and set her free. Her life was radically transformed that day, and she never was the same. She wanted to be close to her Lord, even in death. She would be the first at His tomb on Easter Sunday as well. There at Calvary, she would rejoice in the redemption Jesus had given her.
Imagine the anguish Mary, the mother of Jesus, must have felt at this moment. She had reared Him from childhood. She knew His utter perfection better than anyone. Yet, here she was, watching this wicked crowd of mockers hurl insults at her dear Son. His beaten, bloodied body was hanging on a Roman cross, and all she could do was watch. No loving mother ever wants to outlive her child, yet here was Jesus, dying in the prime of His life.
The once-tiny forehead she had kissed was now crowned with thorns. The once-tiny hands and feet that she guided had been pierced and nailed to the cross. Those lips she had nursed were now parched and bloodied. And the once-tiny frame she had held in her arms was now being crucified. His disciples had forsaken Him, but she was by His side until the end. And she stood there.
For John, the cross was a place of responsibility. Remember, Jesus was reigning from the cross. He was completely in control of Himself and the situation. But why not leave that responsibility to Mary’s other children? Because John 7:5 tells us, “For even his own brothers did not believe in Him.” They became believers after the Resurrection. Jesus was making a provision for Mary until then. Here on the cross, Jesus remembered that His mother must have a roof over her head and food to eat, and He charged John with that blessed responsibility.
And now came an ominous moment. It is here that the crucifixion reached its horrific culmination. Without explanation, the sky turned dark. And from noon until 3:00 p.m., darkness fell across the Earth. “At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.” (Mark 15:33) The Creator was dying on the cross, and all creation, shrouded in darkness, was sympathizing with Him.
No man or woman has ever experienced such loneliness and isolation as Jesus did at this point. God the Father turned away His face. Why?, because God, in all His holiness, could not look at sin. So the Holy Father poured His wrath upon His own Son. For Jesus, that was the greatest sacrifice He could have possibly made. His greatest pain occurred at this moment. He felt forsaken by God, because this was the necessary consequence of sin. Yet, Jesus was forsaken by God, so we don’t have to be. Jesus entered the darkness so that we might walk in the light.
The Gospel of Mark mentions one more very significant event that occurred while Jesus was on the cross. “The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Mark 15:38) The tearing of the temple veil signifies that now man has free access to the throne of grace by the cross, and that no one should ever think again that God dwells in temples made with human hands. Significantly, as the wall of separation between God and man is removed, the veil is torn from top to bottom.
When He had received the drink, Jesus said, “It is finished.” With that, He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:28-30)
Jesus’ final word (tetelestai in the ancient Greek) is the cry of a winner. Jesus had finished the eternal purpose of the cross. It stands today as a finished work, the foundation of all Christian peace and faith, paying in full the debt we righteously owe to God. It really has been completed, hasn’t it?
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put Him!” (John 20:1-2)
“So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.)” (John 20:3-9)
Entering into the tomb and looking more closely, John could now see the whole scene. In addition to the linen strips, he could see the face cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. It was laying separately, neatly placed by itself. John pondered as he looked, and believed. John had reached his conclusion. John had come to believe that Jesus really had somehow risen from the dead. John “saw” and he “believed.”
Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).” (John 20:16) For Mary, seeing was not believing, but hearing was. Wouldn’t you love to have heard your name called, just the way Mary did? That one word was spoken in the voice she knew so well. It was also spoken in the manner she knew so well. What love, what compassion, what healing was conveyed by this one word—“Mary”.
John, the author of the Gospel of John, was also one of hundreds of eye-witnesses to the resurrected Son of God. Years later John also had the privilege of experiencing a prelude to Jesus’ Second Coming, as is detailed in his Spirit-inspired Book of Revelation. We too, will be resurrected to live eternally in the presence of God. The Apostle Paul wrote:
“But we are citizens of heaven. Christ, the One Who saves from the punishment of sin, will be coming down from heaven again. We are waiting for Him to return. 21 He will change these bodies of ours of the earth and make them new. He will make them like His body of shining-greatness. He has the power to do this because He can make all things obey Him.” (Philippians 3:20-21)
In resurrecting Jesus from the grave, God reminds us of His absolute sovereignty over life and death. The Word of God guarantees the believer’s resurrection at the coming of Jesus Christ for His church at the rapture. Jesus promised John, and us He will return.
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20)
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
Peter denied knowing Jesus 3 times before His crucifixion.
But after the His resurrection, Jesus asks Simon Peter, “Do you love me?” 3 times to which Peter answers in the affirmative, which restored their relationship.
This gives me hope for all the stupid things I have done!
You must appreciate the entire account of that fateful week. It was all part of God’s unique plan to provide salvation to humanity. The resurrection was the pinnacle event, but that could not have happened without the crucifixion and the price Jesus paid for sins. All of what happened that week fulfilled the marvelous prophecies of Isaiah almost 800 years before they even occurred and were planned before Adam was even created. Only God!
For me the cross is the focal point, not that all are not of importance but the rising from the grave was definite in that God cannot die. The suffering, beating, bleeding, humiliation, and hanging on a cross naked, was by choice. Taking my punishment by choice! I cannot wrap my head around such selfless love. Jesus had a choice and he chose to die just to have a son like me who seems to be in trouble more than he is not, who makes the poorest of decisions at time.
While we were yet his enemies Christ died for us!
From beginning to end, it is the most beautiful act of Love ever seen.
All of the above, and that He would return one day to resurrect His own.
A mix of both, The Crucifixion and The Resurrection. Ultimate love AND hope in new beginnings.
That our Holy, sinless Savior Jesus was willing endure all the sins of the world being placed on Himself and being separated from the Father for a time, feeling His wrath for us, in our place! Unfathomable!
Without the resurrection, the Christian faith would be meaningless!
The part of Easter which impacts me the most is that Jesus was willing – WILLING – to give his life for ME. For us. And it seems that very few people have ever thanked Him. “Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus, Oh how I love Jesus, because He first loved me.” I wonder if God (the Father) knew when He sacrificed His only son, that people would not really understand the immensity of it.
I chose other. I cannot separate the crucifixion from the resurrection…the importance of one is not without the other.
Don’t like the idea that the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ has been commercialized and connected to rabbits !
The Bible should be taught in School K-18 as a requirement along with the great history of our Country and the foudational values that led to its creation. Then and only then will we have true education and understanding of the these values and maybe respect instead of the disdain that some have for this country and God’s great works!
Without the resurrection there is no life.
We are all born with a free will to do right or wrong in our choices in life. Christ died for everyone and endured horrible actions against him. The world we currently live in has lost its direction with constant in fighting between humans throughout the world. Christ is all forgiving, so it is time for the human beings on earth to wake up and stop the injustices we put on each other. No one live forever so get your act together and you will enjoy the afterlife Christ promised us. Keep doing the wrong and your afterlife will be suffering and loneliness with no joy. The choice is yours.
You can’t isolate one part of the “Easter Story” from the others, not even from the “Christmas Story”. It’s one story, multiple chapters. If we get stuck on one part, the Crucifixion, for instance, we risk focusing on our mistakes rather than our freedom. If we get stuck on the Resurrection, we often don’t acknowledge that we need an attitude adjustment and still need grace. Different parts of the Word resonate with us at different times because The Living Word Lives!
Easter couldn’t be Easter without all of Holy Week or the life story of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God who loved us and sent His Son to save us from sin, death and the devil.
His suffering for my sins in the garden. His love for me personally is something I have trouble comprehending. His atonement makes it possible for someone as wicked as me to still live in eternity in his and God the father’s presence if I’ll just repent and turn my life over to him
Jesus in the garden praying, if you would take this cup from me, but your will not my will be done.
You can’t really celebrate the resurrection if you don’t understand the meaning of the cross. It’s all tied together.
I can’t just pick one. He suffered and died for me because of his unimaginable love for me, then He rose up from the grave so that He could give me His Holy Spirit when I accepted Him as my Lord & Savior.
HE is Risen indeed… ✝️????????????
the whole series of events which show God’s love so strong and amazing all the way through the events of the last week of His life. He is an amazing God!
Agony in the Garden
The whole week is ultimately a seamless action from the Lord to enact the salvation of sinners through Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection. We are redeemed through Jesus Christ who took our place in suffering and death so that we have forgiveness of our sins and the resurrection to eternal life in Him. The Lord worked it all together for our good.
Jesus’s self sacrifice for all of us leaves the most meaningful on me.
This morning I read Luke 15 in the light of Passion Week. I was a world class sinner as a young man. One night sitting in the front seat of my patrol car while on duty I called to God for help. I felt Him climb into my crusier and He forgave me. I am an old dude now, but my hope is still in Him, and my heart is at peace.
All of the above! Seems like you can’t have one without the other. His death as payment for our sin and his resurrection as a means of victory over sin are both important!
I don’t think you can separate one event from the other. It’s a complete package. No one event can stand alone
It is all part of the same story. God sending His Son, our Creator, to redeem sinners without hope and to bring them to Himself. We need every part of the story – even including the sin of Adam and Even and the first sacrifice of animals by our Lord to cover their sin and shame in Genesis 3:21. It includes the prophesies, the Lord Jesus born of a virgin, His perfect life as an example to us, His cruel death on our behalf, His resurrection, His promises of eternal life to all who believe (trusting in Him), His position as our Mediator, His glory, and His return as King and Judge. It is all necessary – we can’t leave any of it out!
For me, all of Jesus’ life culminates in Triduum and Resurrection Day. There is no one event that supercedes another. For at least 70 of my 83 years on this earth, His message to the women that his disciples were to go to Galilee and He would meet them there has led me through a life’s journey. (Matt 28:5-10) He’s alive!!!! He’s with us now and forever, with the Holy Spirit and God the Father, through all eternity!
All of these are so important to our faith and beliefs so I as usual can’t just pick one. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light in this dark world. His sacrifice that He made for all of us sinners is the most amazing thing that’s ever happened.
It is all important but had it not been for the resurrection, then everything before would have been a moot point.
Easter used to be called Ishtar according to historians. The Gospel accounts all say plainly Jesus was sacrificed as our Passover lamb on “Passover”. Which was last week. No, the Jews have not lost track of time or the timing of Passover. How could Christ’s Resurrection be this weekend? Jesus said it would be 3 days and 3 nights. I think we all need to do a little more studying and research. What exactly are we celebrating with eggs and mythical egg laying rabbits? Jesus stated very plainly Man should live by EVERY WORD of God. Does God’s Word have anything to say about worshipping Him with Pagan customs, or the doctrines of men? Just saying……
Jesus’ resurrection is victory over sin and death for those who believe and confess Him as their Lord and savior. It’s not too late if you haven’t made that decision yet. Accept His free gift of salvation. Do it today! He is Risen!
No one would die for a lie.The discipleship of Jesus were persecuted and gave there lives for the testimony that Jesus was The Christ and that His death and resurrection were the truth
It all means a lot! All of the choices were great parts of the whole story of redemption. I guess the most important part is where a Holy sinless God in the form of man dies in the place of a rotten sinner like me. It’s the kind of love that this fallen world doesn’t understand or deserve. Thankfully our Father in heaven loves in a much different way than we do. He continues to pour out His grace and mercy on us every day and He wants us to do the same to the people around us! The world would be a much better place if we did that! Thank you Jesus for what you did on the cross and for the victory over sin and death!!
Happy Easter ????????
Easter is the greatest holiday in Christian history. Even greater than Christmas because Jesus died and was resurrected to give us eternal life.
Resurrection- it is THE story- THE reason. THE hope.
You can’t have the resurrection without the crucifiction and you can’t have the crucifiction without the resurrection. They are two parts to one story. For me, the most important part of this story is that my sins are nailed to that cross with Christ. He took my place – I should be the one on the cross. I am Barabbas! He loves us that much! Thank you, Jesus.
All of it.
Who was, who is, and who is to come!
The fact that Jesus rose from the dead. He died for our sins. He arose from the grave to give us eternal life!!!
As almost always happens, there is more than one response. At least two parts of what we call Easter are of utmost importance. When Jesus suffered, bled and died as the ‘sacrificial lamb’, he paid the required penalty for humanity’s sin. When he was resurrected, it not only proved he was who he said he was, but showed us our destiny for eternity will also be a resurrection if we die before He calls us home otherwise.
All the above, without the crucifixion there would be no resurrection, without the resurrection there would be no hope. Without Jesus, there is no life.
When I read this question, I realized I’ve never thought of this. To me, the entire story was the most important. What speaks to me the most is the crucifixion. Jesus’ pain and suffering for us. However, the crucifixion means nothing without the resurrection.
All of the above and more. Cannot exclude:
Jesus is Son of Man and Holy Son of God. Born of a virgin through the Holy Spirit’s placing the Seed of God within. Wholly human and wholly God. He lived a sinless life and through the Cross satisfies the judgement of God as He pays the penalty for all of mankind’s sin thereby ransoming us from the penalty of our sin. Our rebellion, disobedience and denial/rejection of Almighty Creator Sovereign God and Ruler over all He created! In His Life, Death, Resurrection, and Acsension He gives to those who will believe in Him, receive Him, Eternal Lufe with Him! Alive with Him, face to face in His Glory in the new heaven and earth! No more sin, sorrow, suffering forever!
Only repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved!
That Jesus died for MY sins!!!!
For certain the resurrection of Jesus is the only reason for us to celebrate Resurrection Day (I refuse to it easter), one other point I celebrate is the Thief on the cross next to Jesus. That means while it’s never to late to be saved until you die, but since you don’t know when that is going to be happening, DO IT NOW! Choose to love Jesus and repent your sins and get to work spreading the gospel.
Jesus’s prayer in Gethsemane, for most people don’t understand what was in that CUP! Yet He did the father’s will. O, what a savor! He is Rison! Have a Blessed Resurrection Day.