Jesus Has Risen, But, He Has To Die First
By Ps Alby Yip
Blessed Easter, everyone! We should rejoice on Easter Sunday as we remember His victory over death, securing for fallen humanity eternal salvation once and for all. Indeed, Hallelujah! Jesus Has Risen!
But, He has to die first, isn’t it? As we read through the Passion narratives of all the Gospels, even Acts, we will realize that the sequence of events were essentially a tapestry. One event must and will lead to another.
The New Testament as a whole talks about the death of Jesus as prophesied and central to His mission of redemption. The Gospels, the book of Acts, the Pauline Epistles and letter to the Hebrews, explicitly declare that Jesus must suffer, die, and be raised to fulfil Scripture in order to atone for sins.
- Jesus repeatedly predicted his death, telling disciples the “Son of Man must suffer many things” (Mark 8:31, Matthew 16:21, Luke 9:22, John 12:24-33 Acts 3:18; 17:3 etc).
- The NT presents Jesus’ death as a ransom (Mark 10:45) and a necessary sacrifice to pay for sin (Hebrews 9:22, 1 Cor 15:3-5).
- Throughout the epistles, Jesus’ death is described as the act that removes divine wrath and demonstrates God’s love (Romans 5:9).
So Jesus must die! What about His disciples? In what ways must we “die” in order that we may truly experience the resurrected life of freedom, victory and glory? Perhaps, only we ourselves know. Yes, God knows. Yet, God does not force us, but waits patiently for our response.
PS: I am thinking if it would be possible to plan and organize an experiential death and resurrection Good Friday cum Easter extended time service, if not a weekend retreat? What do you think? 😊
