You may have heard the story of Jesus' crucifixion before - it's been recounted in countless books, movies, and paintings.
But today, we invite you to look closely at this seminal historical event.
Far from being an impulsive act of violence or mundane public execution, Jesus' sacrifice was a pivotal moment that changed the course of humanity's future forever.
Through careful study, you can understand how this day's events were intricately planned and perfectly timed for maximum impact – and how Jesus redeemed humanity through his death on the cross.
You read in the Scriptures that Jesus was born to a virgin in Bethlehem. (Matt.1:23) He then grew up in Nazareth, where He became wise and was filled with God's Spirit from an early age. (Luke 2:40).
As an adult, he began His public ministry at 30 years old when He entered Galilee, preaching, and teaching about the love of God and urging people to repent and be baptized.
He performed miracles like healing people of all illnesses, casting out demons, calming storms, multiplying food for thousands, and raising the dead. (Matt. 8-9; Mark 5-6; Luke 7-8)
Jesus also taught parables and discourses about how to live a life that honored God and lay down one's life in love and service to others. (Matt. 5-7; John 13-17).
At the end of His ministry, Jesus traveled to Jerusalem and was crucified on a cross after enduring tremendous suffering. (Matt. 26-27).
Just three days later, He rose again and returned to Heaven. (Matt. 28:1-10; Luke 24:50-53).
Jesus knew His death was coming - to fulfill the scriptures. He said: "The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified, and on the third day be raised again" (Luke 24:7).
Jesus needed to die so that we could be reconciled with God. He was our perfect sacrifice, blameless and sinless.
We are given a second chance through his death - a way back to God. This is why we owe Jesus our lives.
Betrayal. Judas Iscariot was one of Jesus' disciples. He betrayed the Son of God with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:47-50).
His actions were done for monetary gain, yet his betrayal also had spiritual implications (Matthew 26:15).
Jesus died knowing that a confidant had turned against Him (Luke 22:21).
This betrayal led to Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross as payment for the sins of all humanity (1 Peter 2:24).
The religious leaders had been plotting to arrest and kill Jesus (John 11:45-53). They arranged for Judas Iscariot to betray Him, and Judas agreed (Matthew 26:14-16).
The night before His arrest, Jesus shared a final meal with His disciples and predicted that one of them would betray Him (Luke 22:21-23).
After dinner, He went to the garden of Gethsemane to pray (Mark 14:32-36).
Judas soon arrived with the chief priests and officers of the temple, who had swords and clubs (Matthew 26:47-49).
Judas then betrayed Jesus by kissing him on the cheek (Matthew 26:50).
The soldiers arrested Jesus and took Him away (John 18:12-13).
Jesus stands before Pontius Pilate, accused of blasphemy and insurrection.
But He remains silent as Pilate questions Him. "What should I do with Jesus?" Pilate asks the crowd around him (Matthew 27:22).
In response, they demand His crucifixion (Luke 23:23). Pilate is reluctant to pass such a harsh sentence, so he washes his hands of the decision (Matthew 27:24).
Finally, Pilate consents, and Jesus is sentenced to death on the cross (Mark 15:25).
Though unjustly condemned, Jesus did not resist nor retaliate— He accepted His fate (John 19:16-17).
The crowd gathered to jeer, "If you are the Son of God, save yourself and us" (Luke 23:35).
The religious leaders taunted Him, shouting insults like, "He saved others; himself he cannot save" (Matthew 27:42).
Even the two criminals mocked Him, saying, "If you are the Christ, save Yourself and us." (Luke 23:39).
Such was His sorrowful fate – mocked and ridiculed at every turn.
Nails pierce His hands and feet - John 20:25. Jesus cries out in anguish - Matthew 27:46.
He feels forsaken by God - Psalm 22:1. His throat parched with thirst - John 19:28.
Agonizing pain ripples through His body - Isaiah 53:5.
Still, He intercedes for the very ones who put Him there - Luke 23:34.
All creation stands in awe - Colossians 1:20. The great and terrible event ais done - Luke 23:46.
Jesus' death on the cross paid for the sins of humanity. (Romans 5:8).
His death brings us forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. (John 3:16-17).
Jesus' sacrifice is the ultimate act of love, conquering death and opening the door to an eternity with God. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
We can find freedom in this life and the promise of a future life of everlasting joy through belief in him. (John 5:24).
Simple, yet profound — Jesus' death makes it possible for us to be restored to right relationship with God.
When Jesus died, His body was taken down from the cross and placed in a tomb.
He was accompanied by two other people (John 19:38-42).
After this, a great stone was rolled up against the tomb's entrance to keep it secure (Matthew 27:60).
Jesus' body was only in the tomb for three days before God raised Him from the dead (Acts 2:24-32).
By God's power, Jesus conquered death!
Jesus was dead, buried in a tomb, but on the third day, he rose again.
According to scripture (Matthew 28:5-7), an angel descended from Heaven and rolled back the stone at the tomb's entrance.
Jesus then came out alive and well. His resurrection was proof of his divinity as foretold by the prophets (Isaiah 25:8, Psalm 16:10).
God's plan of redemption through his son was fulfilled, and today we can have eternal life in him.
God designed Jesus' death on the cross to be a perfect sacrifice to cleanse us of our sins.
Its significance was planned far in advance and unfolded throughout history, serving as the ultimate act of love and mercy towards all humankind.
Thanks to His grace and sacrifice, we have been given the gift of unconditional forgiveness and eternal life if we accept it.
Matt LaClear
Author