A Reflection on the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ
As we remember Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection during this Lent period, I find it compelling to ponder the enormity of what Jesus did for you and me.
Everyone in Jerusalem had shouted ‘Hosanna Hosanna’, which means save us now to the one known as the Rabboni (teacher), a few days before Jesus was to be crucified. Jesus had been a good teacher, a miracle worker, a good companion to his disciples, but more importantly a savour of the world. Jesus did nothing wrong to deserve death, but he had to suffer a torturous death on the cross.
But why should Jesus die?
The scripture made it clear in Romans 3:23, that “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God”. This means that each of us is destined for eternal damnation unless someone comes to pay the price for sin. Thus, for man to be saved, Jesus had to pay the penalty, which is death. As Scripture states, “For without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins” (Heb. 9:11-14, 22). Jesus freely offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins. Through his death on the cross, Jesus paid the penalty for mankind’s sin, appeasing God’s wrath. He redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Genesis 3:14-19) and reconciled us to God through himself (2 Corinthians 5:18).
According to the Bible, it was LOVE that prompted the Father to send his Son (Jesus) to this sinful world to reconcile humanity back to God (John 3:16). However, Jesus did not remain dead in the grave; on the third day, he rose again, becoming the firstborn from among the dead; he now sits as the head of a new family (The Church), over whom death has no control (Luke 24:1-8; Colossians 1:18). As a Christian, I think of what I can do to repay the Lord Jesus Christ for what He has done for me, but I found nothing that matches the surpassing sacrifice and love demonstrated on the cross so I can be saved. Nothing is more precious than the gift of salvation that Jesus provided. He also gave us the Holy Spirit as our companion until the day of redemption so we do not have to walk alone. What an incredible gift!
Therefore, as we meditate on Jesus’ death and resurrection during this Lent, I offer the following encouragement:
- Believe that Jesus indeed died and resurrected so that you and I can have eternal life, an everlasting place with God (1 Corinthians 15:12-14).
- Live a life of righteousness as dear children of God through obedience to his words and mandates (1 Pet 1:22-23).
- Offer yourself ‘as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God by renewing your mind rather than succumbing to world patterns (Romans 12:1-2).
- Love each other as beloved children of God and live in unity regardless of denominational differences for Jesus is coming back for ‘The CHURCH’, not a specific denomination.
As we continue fasting in preparation for the Easter celebration, may we all live our lives in a way that pleases God and draws people into the kingdom.
Dr Racheal Adebayo is a minister in the Redeemed Christian Church of God (Amazing Grace Parish, Leicester) one of the Charismatic Pentecostal denominations in England since 2007. Racheal is passionate about raising Godly children and families in this generation; as such, she is involved in training children’s teachers and serves as the head of the counselling department and safeguarding officer of her parish. Prior to this, Racheal had served as a lecturer and the coordinator of the ECWA Theological Seminary, Ibadan. As a theological educator, Racheal was involved in training pastors from different denominations for the church ministry as well as mentoring pastors’ wives for pastoral ministry in one of the largest evangelical denominations in Nigeria, the Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA). She is the author of a research article “Distinguishing between Religion and Spirituality: Listening to Teenagers within the (RCCG) Pentecostal Churches.”