Why does it matter that Jesus died on the cross?
- No one questions His existence or his crucifixion.
- We question why it matters.
Isaiah 53:1-12
All of Christianity hangs on this historical event. Either Jesus rose from the dead or he did not. There isn’t a third option.
It’s not a matter of theology or philosophy It’s a matter of history.
- If Jesus rose from the dead then there is a God and Jesus has something to do with Him.
- If not, then Jesus is simply one option out of a dozen. Try it if it works for you and if not, whatever.
3 Ways We Respond To The Resurrection
- Believe right away and are fully committed.
Matthew 28:1-8
Early on Sunday morning,[a] as the new day was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went out to visit the tomb.
2 Suddenly there was a great earthquake! For an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled aside the stone, and sat on it. 3 His face shone like lightning, and his clothing was as white as snow. 4 The guards shook with fear when they saw him, and they fell into a dead faint.
5 Then the angel spoke to the women. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I know you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. 7 And now, go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and he is going ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there. Remember what I have told you.”
8 The women ran quickly from the tomb. They were very frightened but also filled with great joy, and they rushed to give the disciples the angel’s message.
- Don’t believe initially until they had time to address their doubts.
Luke 24:9-11 So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened.11 But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it.
- Don’t want to deal with the issue at all.
Matthew 28:11-15 As the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened. 12 A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. 13 They told the soldiers, “You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ 14 If the governor hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.” 15 So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say. Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.
APPLICATION:
So what will you do with Jesus?
- Accept like the first eyewitnesses
- Ask God to show Himself to you over the next 8 months
- Ignore it because you don’t want to change your heart/life