There are many reasons why Jesus had to die. He arrived on the scene in Jerusalem at Passover, a sensitive time when both the Jewish and Roman authorities were more nervous about an uprising then any other time of the year. He also had to die because his conflict with the Jewish religious authorities had become so great that there was no other outcome possible. He died because Judas handed him over to the authorities. He died because no one (including the disciples) tried to intervene in his arrest. He died because Pilate was outmanoeuvred and frightened. He died because the people of Jerusalem got caught up in a group frenzy and lost their senses.
But of course as we now understand this was only a part of the story. Because that Passover in the midst of its terrible cruelty and injustice was also the story of God’s love for us, for mankind. Jesus died because God’s love for the world was so overwhelming that he could not stop pouring out that love. Jesus died because his love for his father and for us drove him to express that love in the most sacrificial way possible. Jesus died because his expression of love drove him to reveal the brokenness of the way in which we normally do things, and humanity could not bear the weight or consequences of that revelation.
Let us consider for a moment Jesus’ life, born into poverty, a one time refugee, never had any formal learning or academic status, never had children, was never wealthy, he associated with the poor and lowly of his day, this was hardly the recipe for the saviour of the world for those who carried the importance and status of the times.
Even in his death Jesus’ was controversial. In Jewish tradition three key features defined a good death: living to a good old age; leaving a son behind to maintain your family line and name and being buried in your family ancestral tomb along with your forbears. But Jesus’ broke all the rules. He died young; left no children and was buried in a borrowed tomb.
But of course this death was like no other because of what followed. That glorious first Easter morning when he appeared, the joy of the resurrection, can you imagine the joy of the disciples as they saw him and at last all that Jesus had taught them began to fall into place.
The events of that first Easter were life changing, for the disciples, indeed for the world because everything changed. History was changed. A short while and the Holy Spirit came, the church began to be built in love, all that happened at Pentecost and what followed is dramatic proof of the resurrection.
But of course we know these things deep in our hearts because the Spirit has written them there. Jesus is alive! He indeed is risen! Hallelujah!
It is good in these times when there is much uncertainty to turn our minds once again to that which we know is certain. Jesus death and resurrection speaking as nothing else could of God’s great love for the world.
May I wish you all a safe and blessed Easter!
Ken Clark
