Did Jesus Die?

As this Sunday is Palm Sunday, we know that it was on a Sunday that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (to fulfill prophecy; see Zechariah 9:9). He was greeted as a king! According to John 12:12-15, the crowds laid palm branches on the road before Him.

He declared Himself to be the Messiah, the Promised One of God. He knew what was ahead of Him. For the next few days, He answered with great authority and power the challenges posed to Him by the religious leaders of the day. He ate the Passover Meal with His disciples Thursday night, fulfilling His role as the perfect Lamb of God. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He agonized over the impending weight of the sins of the world being laid upon Him. He was betrayed into the hands of men. He was questioned, insulted, beaten, spat upon, whipped, scourged, flogged, and made to carry His own death device to Calvary.

As Jesus hung in excruciating pain, suffocating more with every gasp, He uttered some of the most beautiful words of grace...

"Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

"I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."

"Dear woman, here is your son."

When he had given up the Spirit ("No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded."), Jesus died. In fact, His death was so certain that when the Roman centurions, who were experts at execution, came by to break His legs, they did not (another fulfillment of prophecy - "not one of His bones will be broken.").

Jesus laid down His life for the world. This is the ultimate sacrifice.

Jesus took up His life in His resurrection from the dead. This is the ultimate victory!

See you this Palm Sunday to worship the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

Randy