The Crucifixion and Resurrection: The Core of the Christian Faith

The story of Jesus' death and return to life is the foundation of the Christian faith. It is the ultimate display of God's love and the central event that makes a relationship with Him possible.

The Crucifixion: Part of God's Plan

Because of His growing following and bold claims, Jewish leaders delivered Jesus to the Roman authorities. He was tried for claiming to be the Jewish King.

• Pontius Pilate (the Roman Governor) hesitated, finding no fault in Jesus, but gave in to the crowd's demand for crucifixion.

• Jesus was beaten, lashed, and forced to bear His own cross to the hill called Calvary (meaning "a place of skull").

• He was crucified between two criminals. Even on the cross, Jesus demonstrated God’s heart: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they're doing."

• Jesus’ death was marked by extraordinary events: the sky turned totally dark for three hours, and the Temple curtain tore from top to bottom, symbolizing the direct access to God.

The cross was not a mistake; it was always part of God's plan. Since humanity's sin required a sacrifice, Jesus, who was sinless, gave His life so that we could be saved and have everlasting life.

The Foundation: The Resurrection

The Christian faith stands or falls on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without His return from the dead, the entire message of saving grace is broken.

When Jesus emerged from the dead, He proved two things:

• His Divinity: He proved He was truly the Son of God.

• His Mission: He confirmed His power to provide atonement, redemption, and salvation for all people.

Jesus Lives

After His death, Jesus' body was placed in a sealed tomb. On the third day, early Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene and another Mary arrived to find the tomb empty.

• An angel was sitting on the rolled-away stone, announcing that Jesus had risen.

• Jesus later appeared to the women, showing them His nail-pierced hands.

• He appeared to the twelve disciples and to over 500 other people over a period of 40 days, proving His resurrection was physical and real.

• He then ascended into heaven (the Ascension), leaving His followers with a mission.

Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

The cross is at the heart of God’s love story, but it also raises a vital question: Why was such a painful sacrifice necessary?

1. Sin Separates Us From God: Since Adam and Eve, humanity has been corrupted by sin (choosing our desires over God's wishes). Because of God's righteousness, our sin must be paid for. On our own, we have no way back to God.

2. Jesus Reunites Us Through Sacrifice: In the Old Testament, Israel used animal sacrifice to pay for sins. Jesus came to be the supreme, final sacrifice—a sinless life given to pay the debt for all our sins.

Jesus lived the sinless life we couldn't and died the agonizing death we deserved. He did this not because we earned it, but because God loves us and longs for us to return to Him.