Easter isn’t all sunshine, dresses, jellybeans and Peeps candies. While there is great cause for celebration, true Easter rejoicing can only come by appreciating the death that preceded it. To gloss over it with pretty spring flowers and overflowing Easter baskets isn’t giving our Lord His due. Not to be a Debbie Downer, but we should consider “how much it cost, to see my sin upon the cross.”
There are three myths I have heard people say about Easter that contradict the truth. To know Christ, these three myths must be debunked.
Consider reading one of these each day for the days of Good Friday through Easter Sunday.
FRIDAY: JESUS’ DEATH
Myth: Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross.
Fact: Crucifixion was a common form of capital punishment for slaves and criminals in Ancient Roman times. Jesus was the most famous victim but certainly not the only one to experience this heinous death. “In antiquity, thousands upon thousands of people were crucified, which at the time was considered to be one of the most brutal ways to die,” as one writer explains. The process was extremely grueling, so much so, Rome did not usually kill its own citizens this way. It was considered too shameful. The process usually included scourging – a person was stripped naked, tied to a post, and then flogged across the back, buttocks and legs by Roman soldiers. The victim was then taunted.
“Now the men who were holding Jesus in custody were mocking him as they beat him. They also blindfolded him and kept asking him, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” And they said many other things against him, blaspheming him.” Luke 22:63-65
The debilitated victim was then made to carry their own crossbar of the cross to the place of execution. Jesus was so weak from the severe beating that he could not carry his own. Mark 15:21 says “And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.”
At the place of execution the victim was stripped again and then nailed to the cross, at least nailed by his hands, and above him at the top of the cross was placed a sign stating his crime. In Jesus’ case the sign said “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.” “Death ultimately occurred through a combination of restricted blood circulation, organ failure, and asphyxiation as the body strained under its own weight. It could be hastened by shattering the legs with an iron club, which prevented them from supporting the body’s weight and made inhalation more difficult, accelerating both asphyxiation and shock,” reports Britannica.
So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water. John 19:32-34
Due to the “popularity” of this form of capital punishment, I think it is safe to assume that the soldiers working around Jesus’ death were experts on knowing whether or not the body was dead. Jesus died on that cross and then was buried. It seems to me if a soldier didn’t do the job he was given, there would have been consequences for him. He would be certain that he had completed his task.
Jesus knew what was to come. In the garden of Gethsemane, the night before his death, Jesus asked God: “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” (Matthew 26:39). In His humanity, He feared the physical death that laid ahead of Him.
But I think Jesus’ even greater fear was the cup of wrath that He knew He had to drink in order to take our sins upon Himself. Psalm 75:8 “For a cup is in the hand of the Lord, and the wine foams; It is well mixed, and He pours out of this; Surely all the wicked of the earth must drain and drink down its dregs.”
On the cross, when Jesus took the sins of the world upon Himself, He experienced the wrath of God and thus separation from Him. This is the cup that Jesus did not want to bear. On the cross, Jesus said, “My God, my god why have you forsaken me?” While hanging on the cross, Jesus experienced what those who reject God deserve – losing the fellowship of the Father. This was the thing that Jesus most feared!
But in obedience to the Father and in His love for us, Jesus willingly laid down His life on our behalf. He was willing to pay the price for our sins.
How much does Jesus love us to endure this heinous death?
SATURDAY: THE GRAVE
Myth: The body was stolen as a resurrection hoax.
Fact: “Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself.” John 20:6-7
If you were breaking into a tomb to steal a body, would you stop and unwrap it? If you unwrapped it, would you stop to separate and fold the head piece from the body pieces?
If the body of Jesus was stolen, who stole the body? Was it the Jews, the Romans, or the disciples? The first two make no logical sense. What would be the motive for them? The Jews didn’t want people to think Jesus was resurrected nor did the Romans. If they had stolen the dead body wouldn’t they have produced it later to prove their point? It makes no sense.
The disciples were grieved by Jesus’ death but they had nothing to gain by stealing the body. It was their interactions with the risen Lord that changed everything for them. Most of the disciples were martyred for their faith. Why would they have died for something they knew to be a hoax?
SUNDAY: EMPTY TOMB
Myth: Jesus did not come back to life.
Fact: There were many witnesses to the risen Lord. Not the least of these was Mary Magdalene and the other Mary who met and spoke with Jesus on that first Easter morning (Matthew 28:1-10). If the writers of the gospels were lying, they would have told a story that seemed believable and chosen more “credible” witnesses than two women. In ancient times, women were considered property and weren’t even permitted to be witnesses in court. Their unlikelihood as witnesses makes the account more believable. Jesus also appeared three times to His disciples after his resurrection (John 21:14).
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 1 Corinthians 15:3-7
The above passage written by Paul points out that several of the witnesses were still living at the time of the writing. He was saying, “you can fact check me on this!”
The resurrection demonstrates the power of God. It was a collaboration of the trinity:
GOD. Acts 2:24: But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
JESUS. John 10:17-18: The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.
SPIRIT. Romans 8:11: And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
Why does it matter that Jesus rose from the dead?
Jesus’s triumph over the grave is critical to the Christian faith. It shows the power of God: He who made the earth and all that is in it still has power and control over it. It confirms God’s complete sovereignty. Jesus’s victory over death illustrates that we have nothing to fear in death because God is Lord even over that. He has removed the sting of death for all eternity. (1 Corinthians 15:54-55)
The fact that Jesus didn’t decay in the grave shows his sinless nature and his divinity. (Psalm 16:10)
It validates all the Old Testament prophecies that predicted his suffering, death, and resurrection.
We have the resurrection power available to us in Christ. “I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power 20 that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 1:19-20 NLT)
Jesus says in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life.” Jesus’ resurrection was a “first fruits” of our future resurrection. We who believe in Jesus will also be resurrected with Him one day and live with Him forever.
For a believer, Easter Sunday is a victorious day. It proves that Jesus is who He said He was.
“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins,” 1 Corinthians 15:17 tells us.
Alleluia! He is Risen!
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Bonnie Kotler and her husband Mitch have two daughters, three sons, seven grandchildren and three grand-puppies. She was a stay-at-home mom for many years before re-entering the workforce after receiving her M.S. in Counseling and Human Relations from Villanova University. She is a licensed professional counselor at The Peacemaker Center and her own private practice, True North Counseling. Bonnie has been on the Willowdale women’s ministry teaching team since 2012. Bible studies have played a key role in her walk as a believer, and in turn, she loves to help other women find their peace with God and grow in their faith. She enjoys writing Bible study materials, reading fiction, spending time with family and doing anything in the sunshine. Bonnie loves to laugh and considers laughter as the best medicine. Psalm 126:2
WOMEN’S SPRING MINI-SESSION
Thursday April 27, May 4 and May 11 , 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Kennett Campus
The world is coming at us at a breakneck speed…events on the news, endless social media and information is available at the push of a button. Our days are busy with families, friends, careers, and the endless lists of things to do. Our hearts long to simplify, declutter and find joy in our Shepherd – the One who is ALL that we need.
Whether you missed attending IF:2023, an incredible women’s conference, or you attended the event and would like to experience more, join us for three Thursday evenings this spring – April 27, May 4 and May 11. Listen to amazing speakers and dive deep into discussion with other women. Rally around the fact that GOD is who we need!
Sessions will include the best breakout speakers not viewed at our IF:2023 event in Kennett and the best of the regular sessions that attendees would benefit from viewing again. All sessions are free and there is no homework. We just ask that you register so we know you're coming!