Christ Jesus gave up his life on the cross saying “It is finished.” (John 19:30) If you read the following four passages (links) you will note that several supernatural events took place at that moment. Matthew 27:45-56; Mark 15:33-41; Luke 23:44-49; John 19:28-37
The curtain of the temple that separated the sacred Holy of Holies from the public areas of the temple was torn in two – from the top down.
There was an earthquake.
Darkness covered the land even though it was early afternoon.
Many refuse to believe that Jesus actually died on the cross. John wrote that the soldiers thrust a sword into Jesus’ side and both blood and water came out. Medical doctors today view this as evidence in itself of the way that Jesus died. This water likely built up around the organs in Jesus’ body from the shock of the scourging he received from Pilate’s soldiers, and from the extreme stress on his body during the crucifixion.
Jesus spoke of his death many times before the crucifixion. In John 10:18 he told the Pharisees, “The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” (NIV)
Jesus also explained in John 12:24 “Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (NIV) Are you one of his many seeds?
Listen to “He Died For Us”-Burt Kettinger
Roman soldiers crucified Christ Jesus on a cross – the most cruel form of death by torture that humanity has ever inflicted on people. The soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross through his hands and his feet. To breathe, he had to lift himself up inflicting even more pain on himself or he would suffocate.
The Apostles Creed jumps directly from Jesus’ birth to the trial and persecution by Pontius Pilate leading to his crucifixion, death and resurrection. This blog will address Christ’s teaching more fully in later posts following this series on the Creed.