Written by Ross Wakeley

Transcription

1 Why do Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead? Why did Jesus die and does it really change my life today? I want help for my life and spiritual growth. How does Easter help me? Written by Ross Wakeley

2 2 In the late sixties, The Beatles took Australia, and the world, by storm. An amazing band, they have sold one billion albums. It wasn t long before the Beatles started to experience a crisis in their souls. They began to cry out in desperation: Help, I need somebody Help, not just anybody Help, you know I need someone, help When I was younger, so much younger than today, I never needed anybody s help in any way. But now those days are gone, I m not so self-assured Now I find I ve changed my mind and opened up the doors Help me if you can, I m feeling down And I do appreciate you being round Help me get my feet back on the ground. Won t you please, please help me Help me, help me, ooh.

3 The cry of The Beatles is pretty common and lots of us can relate to it. People like John, Paul, George and Ringo have proven that you can have the expensive car and house or the latest techno gadgets, but there is an ache in our heart. 3 So we go searching for more. An adrenalin rush, spirituality, power or we just escape. Sometimes that search to fill an emptiness inside gets us into serious pain and suffering. Andrew Chan is the leader of the Bali Nine. He was arrested, at just 21, for drug trafficking in Prison life in Bali is really tough, but things got worse for Andrew. He received a death penalty. At any time that sentence can see him in front of a firing squad. I ve met Andrew and talked for hours with him in Bali s Kerobokan prison a hot and crowded place. He s looked me in the eye and said, I admit what I did. It was wrong. However prison has been the best thing for me. Why? I ve met Jesus Christ and he is changing my life around. Andrew s eyes shine with passion as he talks. You can t fake what God is doing in him prison life is too tough. He spoke about the reality of his spiritual change at his trial: The reason I smile is because I feel God's presence anywhere I go and he gives me the courage. I feel it in this very courtroom today...all I ask is that you will give me an opportunity to restart my new fulfilled life.

4 4 Andrew s story opens the door on some BIG questions Why did Jesus die and does it really change my life today? I want help for my life and spiritual growth. How does Easter help me? Why do Christians believe Jesus rose from the dead? Let s get back to the beginning to see why The Beatles and Andrew Chan along with everyone else on planet earth get into such pain, suffering and emptiness. A long while ago, God brought into existence an amazing universe so big the Hubble space telescope still can t show it all to us. God gave planet earth to mankind as a free gift. He gave us authority over the earth and everything that was in it. The original people Adam and Eve had a relationship with God of intimacy and harmony. Life was really brilliant.

5 Prior to creation, God also had a huge group of supernatural beings angels. Their leader was Lucifer. He decided he wanted to be THE BOSS and had a fight with God and lost. Bad news: Lucifer got the rocket from heaven and is now called Satan. He and his spiritual forces demons speak temptation constantly into the minds of every person. Really bad news: Satan has only evil thoughts and plans as part of his rebellion against God. 5 Satan fed Adam and Eve a subtle con: doubt that God wants the best for you. They believed the doubt, so Satan shifted to a direct lie rebel against God. They fell for a lie. Their choice broke a relationship of intimacy; robbed mankind of authority over the earth and initiated all the suffering and death that s occurred ever since. We ve all been infected with the evil desire to rebel against God and live independently ever since Adam and Eve. So mankind has one agenda and God has his brilliant agenda of love for each person. What about the broken relationship between God and all mankind? Did that get fixed up and how?

6 6 Solving a HUGE problem In April 1970, the US sent three men on the third landing on the moon. However, for the Apollo 13 astronauts Fred Haise, John Swigert and James Lovell things did not go as planned. Their mission was aborted after 56 hours of flight, 330,000 km s from Earth, when an oxygen tank in the service module exploded. That s serious. The men sent back an urgent cry for help. It looked as if the men would die in space. People prayed to God, at the NASA base people worked on a solution night and day. With just a few hours left, the three astronauts used the solution and it worked! Houston, we have a problem! Those three men on Apollo 13 survived as they worked in co-operation with the NASA team on earth. Their salvation was a combined effort and everyone rejoiced. Mankind was able to rescue the Apollo 13 crew. Mankind is not capable of restoring our relationship with God. We needed the biggest rescue mission in the history of man to enable each person to experience God s love, forgiveness, power, grace and intimacy with him. We needed a Saviour. God himself acted to be our Saviour.

7 years ago, Jesus Christ lived in Israel. His birth, life, death and resurrection is absolutely unique. Jesus was clear about his purpose: "I came that you may have life, and have it abundantly." John 10:10 In Mark s record of Jesus life he records Jesus said he came to "give his life as a ransom for many." Mark 10:45. "I was sent to preach the good news of the Kingdom of God. Luke 4:43 In John s account, Jesus says he came so that, "those who believed in him would have eternal life." John 3:16 Jesus words make it clear that he came to be the Saviour of all mankind. We ll look at his actions shortly. Before we do, it s important to state the coming of Jesus Christ was totally predicted for 750 years before his birth. In specific detail. Where and how he would be born of a virgin Prophecy on his life, teachings and home village. Detailed predictions on his betrayal, arrest, trial and death Information on his resurrection to life.

8 8 This chart shows just some of the 300 specific prophecies about Jesus birth, life, death and resurrection. Those from the Old Testament were given between 400 and 750 years before the coming of Jesus in about BC5 or 6. For a more complete list: Jesus fulfilled all of these prophecies. Of these 300+ prophecies, there are 109 that only Jesus could have fulfilled. Specific Prophecy about Jesus Christ Old Testament Prophecy Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem Micah 5:2 He was to be born of a virgin Isaiah 7:14 Jesus to be a prophet like Moses Deuteronomy 18:15-19 Jesus to enter Jerusalem in triumph Zechariah 9:9 Jesus to be rejected by his people Isaiah 53:1-3 Psalm 118:22 He was to be betrayed by a follower Psalm 41:9 Jesus to be tried and condemned Isaiah 53:8 Jesus silent before his accusers Isaiah 53:7 Jesus struck and spat on by enemies Isaiah 50:6 He was to be mocked and taunted Psalm 22:7-8 Jesus was to suffer with criminals Isaiah 53:12 and pray for his enemies Jesus to be given vinegar and gall Psalm 69:21 Others cast lots for Jesus garments Psalm 22:18 His bones were not to be broken Exodus 12:46 Jesus to die as a sacrifice for sin Isaiah 53:5-12 Jesus to be raised from the dead Psalm 16:10 Jesus is now at God's right hand Psalm 110:1

9 9 This information provides us with a mind-boggling reality: God came to planet earth on a fully planned rescue mission. He acted to restore the relationship between God and mankind. God knew he d need to take this action before creation. New Testament fulfilment Matthew 2:1-6 Luke 2:1-20 Matthew 1:18-25 Luke 1:26-38 John 7:40 Matthew 21:1-9 John 12:12-16 Matthew 26:3-4 John 12:37-43 Acts 4:1-12 Matthew 26:14-16 Luke 22:19-23 Luke 23:1-25 Matthew 27:1,2 Matthew 27:12-14 Mark 15:3-4 Matthew 26:67 Matthew 27:30 Matthew 27:39-44 Luke 23:1 Matthew 27:38 Mark 15:27-28 Luke 23:32-34 Matthew 27:34 John 19:28-30 Matthew 27:35 John 19:23-24 John 19:31-37 John 1:29, 11:49-52 Acts 10:43 Acts 2:22-32 Matthew 28 Mark 16:19 Luke 24:50-51 New Testament copy from 1st century

10 10 Long before God laid down earth's foundations, he had us in mind, had settled on us as the focus of his love, to be made whole and holy by his love. Long, long ago he decided to adopt us into his family through Jesus Christ. (What pleasure he took in planning this!) He wanted us to enter into the celebration of his lavish gift-giving by the hand of his beloved Son. Ephesians 1:4-6 (The Message) Prophecy shows us that over thousands of years, God prepared people for his ultimate recue plan. God would become a man and take on himself all the judgment, sin, suffering and death that belonged to mankind. He choose to pay the total price. Mankind deserved death and punishment. God s nature is goodness and love. As a result, he went beyond the justice we deserve to provide us with mercy and forgiveness on the Cross. The resurrection showed God s self-substitution over came death and that Satan was now defeated. Jesus new life is proof that his sacrifice has brought us from a place of isolation from God to be included in God s family.

11 11 So what really happened that first Easter? During his public life, Jesus made it clear to his followers what was about to happen to him. We are now on our way to Jerusalem. Everything that the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen there. He will be handed over to foreigners, who will make fun of him, mistreat him, and spit on him. They will beat him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life. The apostles did not understand what Jesus was talking about. Luke 18:31-34 (Good News) Other powerful forces were at work, including the Religious leaders. Their focus was on religion and keeping the laws of Moses. They refused to really listen to Jesus teaching as he was popular with the people so they felt threatened. They used an excuse to have him arrested and killed: He calls himself the Son of God (Matthew 26:62) and believed that insulted their religion. They missed the truth: Jesus is God.

12 12 Political forces were also in operation. The Roman Empire ruled Israel, but their army was spread pretty thin. Pilate, the governor, felt responsible for maintaining the Roman peace at any cost. When the religious leaders demanded the death of Jesus, he gave in: even though he knew there was no proper evidence or reasons for the death penalty. Lastly, we have God s purposes at work. God told Adam and Eve the penalty for rebellion (sin) would be death. They had clear choices and a direct warning: "You must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die." (Genesis 2:17) Their choice to go against God and act independently has been copied by every person. The one exception: Jesus Christ. He chose loving obedience. Over the centuries, man has added religion to our ways of trying to fix the broken relationship with God. In our guilt, fear and anxiety, we believe God only wants to punish us. Religion and shame lead us to invent wrong views of God. Our mind is screwed up by man s rebellion in the Garden of Eden, which leaves us feeling alone, empty and needing hope. Good news: God took the initiative to rescue us

13 God's long-range plan, before the time of the first human sin in the Garden of Eden, was for him to come to earth in human form. Why? For the express purpose of shedding his blood as the ultimate, once and for all sacrifice for everyone's sin. 13 At the Cross, he willingly chose to give his life. For you and I. Jesus died on the cross so you and I won't have to die for our sins. God himself suffered on the cross. Although Jesus is the Son of God, he is also fully human, so the whip, flogging, the thorns on his head, and the nails were as painful for him as they would be for you and me. His central nervous system was identical to ours and his nerve endings work just like ours. The physical agony is beyond belief. In that pain, how does Jesus act? Jesus said, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing. (Luke 23:32) A few hours later, The sun stopped shining, and the curtain in the temple split down the middle. Jesus shouted, "Father, I put myself in your hands!" Then he died. (Luke 23:45,46) What killed Jesus? Not the physical pain. The real issue was that on the Cross, Jesus took on all mankind s rebellion towards God, all suffering, shame and pain. The LOT!

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16 16 When Jesus dies as a victim to our hurt, rebellion, guilt and failures, he does so as the solution to our wrong thinking and judgement of himself. Jesus dies so he can introduce us to the love of God. God could have seen our anger and pretended all was OK. The Bible makes it clear that instead, the God of the universe submitted to our anger, sin, fear and judgement. Jesus stood in the midst of our scorn to bear all of mankind s pain, suffering and sin, so that he could initiate a relationship of love with us. Jesus brings Father and Holy Spirit to us and invites you and I into the centre of that love and relationship. These wonderful statements could be just words. However, history records this fact: Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

17 17 Jesus resurrection is central to Christians. Why is that? FORETOLD: Jesus foretold his resurrection Jesus said to them, We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will...be flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life! (Matthew 20:17) THE EMPTY GRAVE: Jesus resurrection is the only plausible explanation for his empty grave. As you read the biblical story, it s clear the grave where men laid the body of Jesus was closely guarded by Roman soldiers and sealed with an enormous boulder. The stone would have stopped his escape or any rescue attempt by his followers. Jesus' enemies would never take the body, because a missing body from the grave would only serve to encourage belief in his resurrection. PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: He rose from the dead early on Sunday morning, then Jesus appeared at least ten times to those who had known him and to as many as 500 people at one time. Jesus proved these appearances were not hallucinations: he ate and talked with people and they touched his body. Our ears have heard, our own eyes have seen, and our hands have touched Jesus. (1 John 1:1)

18 18 TRANSFORMED LIVES: The resurrection is the only logical explanation for the transformed lives of the disciples. After Jesus death they were discouraged and fearful. They did not expect Jesus to rise from the dead (Luke 24:1-11). A complete change occurred after Jesus resurrection and their experience at Pentecost: these men and women were transformed by the mighty power of the risen Christ. God s power in the disciples to turn the world upside down. Many lost their lives for their faith, others were persecuted. They knew from experience that Jesus Christ was alive and loved them. Fear ruled no longer. David was in the Australian under 19 football team then he totally wrecked his shoulder. He experienced God fully healing his shoulder and said, Jesus I need your love in my life, so now I accept that you have rescued me. I choose to become a Christian. If God is on our side, can anyone be against us? God did not keep back his own Son, but he gave him for us. If God did this, won't he freely give us everything else? If God says his chosen ones are acceptable to him, can anyone bring charges against them? Christ died and was raised to life, and now he is at God's right side, speaking to him for us. In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God's love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord! (Romans 8:31-39)

19 19 God doesn t make junk! You are loved Father You and I are adopted into the centre of God s love Jesus An inmate in a juvenile correctional centre discovered this verse from John on God s love. It s changed his life as he has accepted the truth and good news. Holy Spirit Jesus said, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son in to the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16,17

20 20 I want help for my life and spiritual growth. How does Easter help me? At one time you all had your backs turned to God, thinking rebellious thoughts of him, giving him trouble every chance you got. But now, by giving himself completely at the Cross, actually dying for you, Christ brought you over to God's side and put your lives together, whole and holy in his presence. You don't walk away from a gift like that! (Colossians 1:21-23) God invites a response from us. The place of real exchange is the Cross. We come to the Cross with all our junk: failure, sin, shame, whatever. Surrender it. Give it to God and it s gone for eternity. Our choice. God s love and power fills us so our life is transformed.

21 21 Mind trapped by false truth Believes opinions of others Looks at humanity s condition Looks to victory from intellect as subtle western superiority Hopes a person is healed Follows religion. Struggles as spiritual dynamics ignored Feels defeated and insecure Selfish, possess own life Seeks God s hand Fears the enemy Lives independently Believes it s all about me Focus is on the past Sees self as only God s servant Believes God s favour is on doing things to please God Mind of Jesus Christ Believes what the Bible says Know our identity in Christ Wholistic pray, care to people, prophetic, discovery of victory Knows a person is healed Follows all God shows us in humility so we experience God Knows Satan is defeated Sees other people as equals Seeks God s face Trusts God s love Interdependent on God+others Believes it s about Jesus Focus is on the future Enjoy being God s child God s favour is grace alone and he empowers my direction

22 22 When a person gets cancer, a doctor may use chemotheraphy. This strong poison that kills cancer cells. Doctor s use a controlled amount or it kills the person. On the Cross, Jesus took all of the chemo needed to kill all of the cancer of sin and shame that every person carried. At the end, before he died, he declared, It is finished (John 19:30). We re free. Whole. No cancer. All condemnation is gone. God created humanity for a love relationship with him. Many people struggle to accept that. You don t know how much I ve screwed up in my life. I keep failing. God knows us, yet chooses to look beyond our stuff ups to see the real us. He is the one who pursues the love relationship with us. We don t seek him on our initiative it s God is at work within us. This love relationship with God is both personal and practical. Peter was one of Jesus disciples and he experienced God choose to pursue a love relationship with him. Peter kept failing he was the bloke who denied that he knew Jesus. How does Jesus respond? Not with the rejection we d expect. Jesus forgives him, and assures Peter that he is loved [see John 21]. Amazing. Peter became frightened and cried out, Lord save me! Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and took hold of him. Matthew 14:30,31 Jesus shows us that God is far better than we expect. Experience God s love for you.

23 23 Still wondering if this is all true? Josephus (born 37 A.D.), a Jewish general and excellent historian. He wrote this about Jesus in his Antiquities (18:63), as the Romans historian: About this time there lived Jesus, a wise man if indeed one ought to call him a man. For he was one who wrought surprising feats and was a teacher of such people as accept the truth gladly. He won over many Jews and many of the Greeks. He was the Messiah. When Pilate, upon hearing him accused by men of the highest standing among us, had condemned him to be crucified, those who had in the first place come to love him did not cease. On the third day he appeared to them restored to life. For the prophets of God had prophesied these and myriads of other marvellous things about him. And the tribe of the Christians, so called after him, has still up to now, not disappeared..

24 Lots of us keep our secrets, our sin, our pain and our shame in The Shack. We re scared to go there. Scared God will wack us. Overwhelmed by all of our failure. We feel really powerless to make things right. We know religion will fail. Here is the GOOD news As a result of Jesus death for all mankind on the Cross and his resurrection, our shame and sin has been dealt with. Accept God s gift and we stand in a place of freedom, mercy forgiveness, love and acceptance. Our choice. God transforms our shack from a scary place to wholeness. We live transformed, knowing and experiencing that we are adopted into the centre of God s love. The Shack is a powerful book by Paul Young, with over ten million copies in print in the past three years. It and a Bible are handy resources for the journey. Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society Scripture taken from The Message. Copyright Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group