Christians around the world celebrated Jesus of Nazareth on Easter Sunday, almost two thousand years after his death, raising the dead just three days later.
The exclamation point of “He is resurrected” is very much thrown on Easter holidays. But what does that mean? Why is the horrifying image of Calvary’s cross respected by Christians?
Most people know that Jesus was crucified on Good Friday and emerged from the tomb three days later. However, Christian believes that the meaning of his resurrection is far more important than merely showing the power of God.
The Gospels say that two followers of Jesus went to the tomb early on the Sabbath. As Luke 24:2-8 reads:
They found the stone lying away from the tomb, But when they entered they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes stood by them, shining like lightning. In their fear, the women bowed with their faces facing the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you make a living among the dead? He’s not here. He rose! Remember the way he told you while he was still with you in Galilee: “The son of a man must be brought to the hands of a sinner, crucified, and raised again on the third day.” ” Then they remembered what he said.
Jesus actually predicted his death and resurrection. He said that, initially, as John’s documents recorded, Jesus would rebuild the temple in three days – and then he fully predicted his death to his apostles. Mark 8:31-33 Reading:
He then began to teach them that the son of a man suffered in many things, and must be rejected by elders, priests, and teachers of the law, and he must be killed and rise again after three days. He spoke clearly about this, and Peter took him aside and began blaming him.
But when Jesus turned to see the disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Come behind me, Satan!” He said. “You don’t have God’s concerns in mind, but you simply have human concerns in mind.”
Jesus knew he had to die – and why. Like a faithful son, he accepted the wishes of his father.
But fatal, he knew the pain awaiting him. Luke explains Jesus’ “anguish” about his instructions about the night Jesus was arrested by the Romans at Luke 22:39-44.
Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives as usual, and his disciples followed him. When he reached the place he told them, “Pray that you do not fall into temptation.” He retracted the throw of stones beyond them, and kneeled and prayed, “Father, if you are happy, I will take this cup from me. It is not my will yet, but your will is over.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And in agony he prayed more seriously, his sweat was like a drop of blood falling onto the ground.
However, because the father had not taken a cup from his son, Jesus was willing to submit to a humiliating and unbearable death.
Just three days later, the angel rolled the stones and Jesus appeared.
Death has been conquered! It all makes for a great story. But why is it so important?
It’s not just that Jesus came from death, which gives Christians a cause to please. We are delighted with his death too.
“He himself bored our sins.” May we die from sin and live for righteousness. “By His wounds that you healed,” reads Peter 2:24, referring to the Old Testament prophecy from Isaiah, who prophesied the coming and mission of Jesus.
Through his crucifixion, Jesus paid the debt of our sins. And like Christ, we can conquer the death that awaits him “reborn.”
As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 6:8-9, “We believe that if we die with Christ now, we will live with him. We know that Christ, who grew up from death, will never die again. Death no longer rules over him.”
Death must also have more control than us. That’s why death and resurrection are so meaningful to those who believe. Not only did Jesus rise from the grip of the tomb, but we also offer to save us from that grip, so that we will worship him forever in paradise.
So, when you hear “he’s rising” during Easter, remember that it’s more than just a simple catchphrase. It is the encapsulation of all that Christians believe God will provide us through His Son.
And that is the cause of celebration.
Bradley Jaye is the Associate Politics Editor for Breitbart News. Follow him X/Twitter and Instagram @Bradleyajaye
