The Easter season is a time of celebration and reflection for Christians as we commemorate Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This reading plan is designed to guide you through key Scripture passages during the 27 days leading up to Easter Sunday. For day 27, we will explore what the Bible teaches about the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.
The Events Leading Up to the Crucifixion
In the days leading up to his crucifixion, Jesus was betrayed by one of his own disciples, Judas Iscariot. Judas went to the chief priests and agreed to hand Jesus over to them for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:14-16). Jesus had foretold of this betrayal during the Last Supper (Matthew 26:21-25). After the meal, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. While he was there, Judas arrived with soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees to arrest Jesus (John 18:1-11). Jesus was brought before the high priest Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin, who questioned him and declared him guilty of blasphemy (Matthew 26:57-68). The Jewish leaders then brought Jesus before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, seeking his execution (Matthew 27:1-2). Though Pilate found no fault in Jesus, he eventually conceded to the crowd’s demands and sentenced Jesus to crucifixion (Matthew 27:15-26).
The Crucifixion of Jesus
After being sentenced by Pilate, Jesus was mocked and beaten by Roman soldiers (Matthew 27:27-31). He was then led away to be crucified at a place called Golgotha, meaning “the place of the skull” (Matthew 27:33). Crucifixion was a brutal form of execution used frequently by the Romans. The victim would be nailed or tied to a wooden cross and left to hang until eventual death from exhaustion and asphyxiation.
Jesus was crucified between two thieves (Matthew 27:38). As he hung on the cross, the people mocked him and the leaders scoffed at him (Matthew 27:39-44). From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over the land (Matthew 27:45). Then about the ninth hour Jesus cried out loudly saying, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). This cry reflects Jesus feeling separation from God the Father as he bore the sins of the world.
Knowing that everything had now been finished, Jesus said, “I thirst” (John 19:28). He was given sour wine to drink (John 19:29-30). Jesus then said, “It is finished,” and gave up his spirit (John 19:30). At that moment, the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). There was also an earthquake and tombs broke open with dead people coming back to life (Matthew 27:51-53). When the centurion and those with him guarding Jesus saw these things they were terrified and said, “Truly this was the Son of God!” (Matthew 27:54).
The Death of Jesus
The death of Jesus Christ by crucifixion was a pivotal moment in human history. Here are some key things the Bible teaches about Christ’s death:
- His death was a sacrifice for our sins: 1 Corinthians 15:3 says, “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures.” His death was an atoning sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins (Romans 3:25).
- It demonstrates God’s love: Romans 5:8 says, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ’s death was the ultimate expression of God’s love for us.
- It redeems us from sin and death: Hebrews 9:15 says, “He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.” Through his death, Jesus obtained our eternal redemption.
- It reconciles us to God: Romans 5:10 says, “While we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son.” Jesus’ death bridged the divide between God and us.
- It purchased our forgiveness: Colossians 1:13-14 says God has “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Christ’s blood paid for our forgiveness.
- It justifies us before God: Romans 5:9 says, “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!” Christ’s death declares us righteous before God.
- It brings us victory over death: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?…But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Jesus willingly laid down his life to pay the penalty for our sins and redeem us. He broke the power of sin and death by his sacrifice. As Peter declares in 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” Christ’s death provides everything we need for salvation and life.
Jesus Was Buried in a Tomb
After Jesus died on the cross, a man named Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus (Matthew 27:57-58). Joseph was a wealthy man and a disciple of Jesus, though secretly because he feared the Jewish leaders (John 19:38). Pilate granted Joseph’s request, allowing him to take Jesus’ body (Mark 15:45). Along with Nicodemus, Joseph wrapped Jesus’ body in strips of linen cloth with spices, in accordance with Jewish burial customs (John 19:39-40). Because it was the day of Preparation before the Sabbath, they laid Jesus in a new tomb cut in the rock nearby (Matthew 27:59-60). Then they rolled a large stone in front of the entrance to the tomb (Mark 15:46). Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph saw where Jesus was laid (Mark 15:47). The chief priests and Pharisees had the tomb sealed and placed guards there, fearing Jesus’ disciples might steal the body and claim he had risen from the dead (Matthew 27:62-66).
So Jesus’ dead body was laid in the grave, wrapped in burial cloths, with a stone sealing the tomb entrance. Guards were posted to prevent anyone from taking the body. But the story does not end there. On the third day after his crucifixion, the tomb lay empty – Jesus had risen from the dead, just as he said he would.
Old Testament Prophecies about Jesus’ Death
Jesus’ death by crucifixion was foretold centuries earlier in the Old Testament Scriptures. Here are some key prophecies about the suffering Messiah:
- Psalm 22 – This psalm contains many details that point to the crucifixion, including the mockery and insults hurled at Jesus (Psalm 22:6-8), the pain in his hands and feet (Psalm 22:16), and the soldiers casting lots for his clothing (Psalm 22:18).
- Isaiah 53 – The prophet Isaiah described the Messiah as a suffering servant who would be “pierced for our transgressions” and “crushed for our iniquities” (Isaiah 53:5). His death would be a guilt offering and provide justification for many (Isaiah 53:10-11).
- Zechariah 12:10 – Zechariah foretold the piercing of the one “who was pierced.” The people would look on the one they pierced and mourn for him.
- Psalm 34:20 – David wrote that the righteous sufferer would have none of his bones broken. This points to Jesus, whose legs were not broken on the cross per the normal practice since he was already dead (John 19:33).
- Psalm 16:10 – The psalmist said God’s Holy One would not see decay but be resurrected. Peter referenced this prophecy at Pentecost as fulfilled in Jesus’ resurrection (Acts 2:25-32).
These Old Testament prophecies and others demonstrate that Jesus’ suffering and crucifixion were part of God’s sovereign plan to provide atonement for sins and redemption through the death of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.
New Testament Explanations of Christ’s Death
The New Testament authors provide rich theological explanations for the meaning and significance of Jesus’ death on the cross. Here are some key passages:
- Romans 3:21-26 – Paul explains that God presented Christ as a propitiation or sacrifice of atonement through his blood. His death justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
- 2 Corinthians 5:21 – God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
- Galatians 3:13 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. He bore the curse we deserved.
- Ephesians 1:7 – In Jesus we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of God’s grace.
- Colossians 2:13-14 – God made us alive together with Christ, forgiving our trespasses and nailing our record of debts to the cross.
- Hebrews 9:11-15 – Christ entered the holy place securing eternal redemption through his own blood as an unblemished sacrificial lamb.
- 1 Peter 2:24 – Christ bore our sins in his body on the tree so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.
- 1 John 2:1-2 – Jesus is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
Passages like these help us understand the full significance of Christ’s death. His atoning sacrifice accomplished salvation for all who put their faith in him.
The Importance of the Cross
Given the emphasis Scripture places on Jesus’ death, the cross is vitally important for Christians. Here are some reasons why:
- It displays God’s love – As Romans 5:8 says, the cross demonstrates God’s love for us. The Father willingly sent his Son to die in our place.
- It accomplishes salvation – The cross achieved our redemption and forgiveness of sins, justifying us before God (Eph 1:7, Col 1:14).
- It enables victory – Christ’s death defeated sin and the powers of evil, liberating us from bondage (Col 2:15, Heb 2:14-15).
- It motivates devotion – As Galatians 2:20 states, Christ’s sacrificial love compels us to live for him out of gratitude.
- It gives meaning to suffering – The cross gives purpose and hope to suffering as we identify with Christ’s sufferings (Phil 3:10, 1 Peter 4:1).
- It provides an ethical example – Jesus’ humble sacrificial death models the kind of sacrificial love his followers should display (Phil 2:5-8, 1 John 3:16).
The apostle Paul said, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Galatians 6:14). The cross is central to the gospel message and Christian discipleship. It displays God’s glorious redemptive plan centered on his Son.
Application for Believers Today
As we reflect on Jesus’ crucifixion this Easter season, here are some ways we can apply the truths of the cross:
- Worship and thank God for Christ’s sacrifice – Praise God for sending Jesus to die for you and offering the gift of salvation (Rev 5:9-14).
- Examine your heart – Ask God to reveal any unconfessed sin so you can repent and be cleansed by Christ’s blood (1 John 1:7-9).
- Preach the gospel – Share with others the good news of redemption through faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection.
- Find strength in weakness – When you face trials, be encouraged that God’s power is perfected in weakness (2 Cor 12:9-10).
- Die to self – Put selfish desires to death daily through the cross of Christ (Luke 9:23).
- Extend radical grace – Freely forgive others, knowing Christ forgave you while you were still a sinner (Eph 4:32).
- Walk in newness of life – Having died to sin, live a godly life empowered by the resurrected Christ (Rom 6:4-14).
The cross of Christ offers endless insight for daily Christian living. As we gaze upon the crucified Savior this Easter season, may God pour out his grace to us through Christ’s finished work.