How Christianity understands the death and resurrection of Jesus

Explain how Christianity understands the death and resurrection of Jesus to be at the heart of the Gospel message. Identify and explain important elements from the Gospels about these events. Identify and explain important elements of the Old Testament which are related to these events.

Full Answer Section
  • The Last Supper: On the night before he was crucified, Jesus shared a meal with his disciples. This meal is now known as the Last Supper. During the Last Supper, Jesus instituted the Eucharist, which is a sacrament that Christians celebrate to remember Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus also told his disciples that he would soon be leaving them, but that he would send the Holy Spirit to comfort and guide them.
  • Jesus' arrest and trial: Jesus was arrested by the Jewish authorities and put on trial for blasphemy. He was found guilty and sentenced to death by crucifixion.
  • Jesus' crucifixion: Jesus was crucified on a cross at the place called Golgotha. He died on the cross after suffering for six hours.
  • Jesus' resurrection: Three days after his crucifixion, Jesus rose from the dead. He appeared to his disciples and to other people who had known him. Jesus' resurrection is the central event of Christianity because it proves that he is the Son of God and that he has defeated sin and death.

Important elements of the Old Testament which are related to the death and resurrection of Jesus:

  • The Passover lamb: In the Old Testament, the Israelites celebrated the Passover holiday to commemorate their liberation from slavery in Egypt. During the Passover meal, the Israelites sacrificed a lamb and ate its blood and meat. The Passover lamb was a symbol of the Messiah who would come to save humanity from sin. Jesus is often referred to as the "Lamb of God" because he sacrificed his life for the sins of the world.
  • The suffering servant: The Old Testament contains several prophecies about a suffering servant who would come to save humanity from sin. For example, Isaiah 53 describes a suffering servant who would be "pierced for our transgressions" and "crushed for our iniquities." Christians believe that these prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus Christ.
  • The resurrection of the dead: The Old Testament contains several references to the resurrection of the dead. For example, Daniel 12:2 states that "many who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake." Christians believe that Jesus' resurrection is the firstfruits of the general resurrection that will take place at the end of time.

The death and resurrection of Jesus are the central events of Christianity. They are the foundation of the Christian faith and the source of hope for Christians all over the world.

Sample Answer

Christianity understands the death and resurrection of Jesus to be at the heart of the Gospel message because they are the culmination of God's plan to save humanity from sin. The Gospels tell us that Jesus died on the cross to take the penalty for our sins, and that he rose from the dead three days later to show that he had defeated sin and death. This message of salvation is central to Christianity, and it is what Christians believe gives them hope for eternal life.

Important elements from the Gospels about the death and resurrection of Jesus:

  • Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem: In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus rides into Jerusalem on a donkey, which was a sign of humility and peace. This event fulfilled the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9, which foretold that the Messiah would come to Jerusalem "riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Jesus' entry into Jerusalem was a sign that he was the Messiah and that he was coming to bring salvation to the world.