Fast Track Chapter 6: The Christ

Chapter 6

As we move into chapter six, we transition from the Old Testament to the New Testament. The New Testament begins about 400 years after Malachi (the last book of the Old Testament) was written. The New Testament covers the birth, life, and death of the long awaited Jewish Forgiver. It also gives a play-by-play, front-row view of the launch of the early church by two primary leaders: Peter and Paul. The book ends with a final snapshot of God‟s view of the end of time.

Many people perceive that “Old Testament God” was angry and vindictive. Others perceive Jesus as the nice guy who comes on the scene and says, “Sorry about my Dad.” After our Fast Track through the Old Testament, hopefully you came away with a different view of God. Old Testament God is the same loving, merciful, patient God found throughout the entire Bible. His nature never changes. Jesus didn‟t apologize for His father. He constantly bragged about, introduced people to, and encouraged people toward His loving Heavenly Father. God loves His children and has relentlessly pursued them, longing to pour affection upon them.

The first four books of the New Testament cover the same basic material from four points of view. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John documented the period of time from Jesus‟ birth to death to final resurrection. Each of them are historically-reliable, separate reports documenting the reality that Jesus lived, taught, and defeated death once and for all. Each author had a slightly different purpose and emphasis: Matthew wrote to a primarily Jewish audience and emphasized that Jesus was the long awaited King and Messiah promised by God through the prophets. Mark wrote for Greek readers, showcasing Jesus as the suffering servant, drawing attention to His others-focused life and humility. Luke, a first-rate historian and physician, wrote his report in letter form to a friend named Theophilus. Luke‟s account of Jesus‟ life is the result of a multi-year process of interviewing eyewitnesses, gathering evidence, and confirming historic details. John wrote his account years later for a wider audience, emphasizing the signs that proved Jesus�� claims tobeGod. John declares that Jesus provides the only way to truly know God, find forgiveness, and defeat death.

The theme of Jesus‟ teaching is simple: don‟t try to measure up, but rather look up for forgiveness. Religious leaders of the day were teaching a false interpretation of the Law. They taught that if humans tried hard enough, prayed long enough, and followed the rules closely enough, they could measure up to God‟s standards. The problem with this view (besides its inherent falseness) is that it always created two emotions: fear and pride. Either you were proud that you measured up one day and looked down on others who didn‟t work as hard; or you were fearful that you would never measure up and disappoint God.

King-sized bed

Jesus showed up with a powerful message of grace that reveals a God who doesn‟t take saints, but makes saints. Jesus showed a way to know God that‟s not about what you do for God, but what God can do for you. He taught that a deeds-based religion falsely makes you think you look good; true grace makes God look good. Instead of presenting your "perfect" record and hoping that He accepts you, Jesus taught that God accepts you fully based on His perfect work. This message is called The Gospel, which means “good news.” (The good news of Jesus‟ life is commonly called The Gospels, in reference to the central theme recorded by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. “The Gospels” are the first four books of the New Testament.) This exciting message meant that humans could be in right standing with God! Anyone trusting and accepting this gift of grace was overwhelmed that God would provide such forgiveness and love. Instead of waiting for us to “check all the boxes,” God was going to check all the boxes for us.

The family tree of the Messiah (a.k.a. the Final Forgiver) was clearly laid out by the prophets as captured in the Old Testament. The writers of Jesus‟ life carefully show us how his lineage through Mary and Joseph met the criteria laid out hundreds of years earlier. The first historic account (Matthew) begins as a woman named Elizabeth finds out she is pregnant. Her child would grow up to be known as John the Baptist and serve as the last prophet preparing the way for Jesus' ministry. John and Jesus were cousins and born around the same time.

The Bible teaches that Jesus is both born and eternal. He is the "child who is born, but the son who is given," according to the prophet Isaiah. Jesus was there in the beginning with God because He was God. God came to Earth in human form as Jesus by entering history through the womb of an earthly human.

An angel appeared to this young woman, Mary, to announce this supernatural pregnancy. She was surprised to be pregnant since she‟d never been with a man. The angel told her that the Holy Spirit had come upon her and placed an eternal seed within her. When her fiancé Joseph heard about the pregnancy, he was deeply hurt, presuming unfaithfulness. He wanted to divorce her privately. He changed his mind, however, when an angel appeared to him confirming that the Godman was growing within Mary.

In those days, the government was taking a census which required Mary and Joseph to go to Bethlehem, since Joseph had a family tree there tracing back to King David. It was a chaotic and busy time in the small city, and when Mary and Joseph arrived,there were no hotels or inns available. Instead,as Mary went into labor, they found refuge in a stable, and used a feed trough (manger) as the newborn's crib. Here, in this humble, smelly home for animals, God came to rescue mankind. God sent angels to announce Jesus‟s birth to the shepherds nearby. They came quickly to witness the news of God‟s "good will toward men." The Creator was announcing a peace treaty to bridge the gap between Himself and humans.

God also placed a supernatural star in the sky above the family's location. Kings from the East, probably trained by Daniel's influence centuries ago in Babylon, saw the star and traveled to their home – just as the prophets had predicted. As the oriental kings approached Jesus, they informed King Herod of their plans to present gifts to the baby monarch. Herod searched the Old Testament to learn where this "threat to his crown" would be born. The jealous ruler dispatched soldiers to kill every male child two years or younger in Bethlehem. An angel warned the parents of the danger, and Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt for safety. It‟s believed that they used the kings‟ expensive gifts (gold, frankincense, and myrrh) to finance their move. After Herod's death, the family moved back to Nazareth where Joseph worked as a carpenter.

Jesus prompted questions and asked a few too

Soon after his birth, Mary and Joseph took Jesus to the temple. There he was dedicated to God by Simeon, a man God had told would not taste death until he saw the Final Forgiver‟s birth. Jesus grew in stature, wisdom, and love for God. At age 12, on an annual trip to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover, the young Messiah got separated from his family on the return trip. Since families and friends traveled together, Mary and Joseph assumed someone else was watching over Jesus. When they discovered he was missing, they traveled back to the synagogue and found him peppering the priests with questions. Jesus explained to a concerned Mary that he was in his “Father's house” learning truth. The teachers were impressed by Jesus' mature questions and insight into the Scriptures.

When Jesus turned 30, he was attending a wedding with Mary and the host ran out of wine. Mary told the serving staff to do whatever Jesus told them. Jesus knew that this miracle he was about to perform would be the launch of his public activities, thus starting the countdown to his crucifixion. Jesus turned water into wine and performed his first miracle. This was the beginning of an eventful three-year ministry.

As Jesus moved forward to launch his ministry, he met up with his cousin John at the Jordan River where the Baptist had been preaching repentance. The word repentance literally means “a change of mind.” It‟s the process of turning away from self and a deeds- based religion, and instead trusting God as the authority for your life.

God declared: “This is my beloved Son!”

John the Baptist was preparing people to seek God's forgiveness and His leadership. He was baptizing people in the Jordan who wanted to publicly declare their friendship and trust with God. As Jesus appeared at the river John announced, "Behold the Lamb of God." People realized that John was identifying him as the ultimate substitute for the Passover Lamb, a sacrificial animal that the Hebrews used in forgiveness rituals. Jesus asked John to baptize Him as an act of public identification with God. John felt unqualified to baptize God's son, but humbly agreed and dunked his cousin in the River. As Jesus came up out of the water, the Spirit of God descended on Him “like a dove.” A voice from heaven declared, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." Jesus' identity as the one sent by God had been confirmed by angels, prophetic predictions, Simeon, John the Baptist, a family genealogy, and now the audible words of God Himself. Faith in God is not the absence of facts, but putting your trust in God's overwhelming evidence.

The Spirit of God immediately led Jesus into the wilderness for a 40-day period of prayer. This extended meeting with God was a preparation for the coming three years of ministry. At the end of these 40 days, Jesus was very hungry, and was tempted by an enemy to turn rocks into bread. He was offered all the kingdoms of this world if He would trust a leader other than God. This deceiver also challenged Jesus to jump off the temple to see if God would protect Him from the fall. Jesus rebuffed each of the three temptations by quoting truths from the Old Testament.

Next, Jesus launched His ministry by prayerfully selecting twelve disciples, or followers. These twelve devoted men would live and learn with Jesus over the next three years. He would teach them, laugh with them, and warn them of His impending death on the cross.

During this ministry, Jesus mingled with people from all walks of life. In one story, Jesus interacted with a prominent council member named Nicodemus who wanted to become part of God‟s kingdom. Jesus told him that “God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, and whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”

One day Jesus met a Samaritan woman who was gathering water at a well. He engaged her in a conversation about how God wanted people from all backgrounds to experience His love and forgiveness. He offered her a fountain of living water that would continually supply her with purpose and significance.

He met and healed a sickly man whose friends had lowered him through the roof of a building where Jesus was teaching. Jesus healed him physically, but emphasized that He had also forgiven the man his waywardness from God.

The New Testament shows Jesus welcoming children into his arms. He met with socially outcast men and women. He offered a second chance to a woman caught in adultery. He lovingly befriended a local scoundrel and tax collector named Zacchaeus. The man was so impacted by Christ‟s friendship that he accepted God‟s forgiveness and joyfully paid back those he had cheated with interest.

Jesus painted a vivid picture of God‟s desires. He told everyone that the Father wanted them to love Him with their heart, soul, and mind. Secondly, God wants His children to love one another selflessly. Jesus took his friends Peter, James and John up to a mountain and revealed Himself as the Son of God. They recorded that Jesus‟ face glowed brilliantly like the sun and his clothes became as white as light.

Jesus went up on a hill and taught a stirring and practical message to a large crowd. This “Sermon on the Mount” outlined God‟s wisdom about life. He showed others how faith in God can free one from worry, greed, boredom, and self-centeredness. He also showed people how to reorder their heart and pray authentically. He taught them a model prayer that says, “Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done. On Earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”

Jesus taught others that He came to fulfill God‟s law, not abolish it. Jesus masterfully explained the intent of God‟s law as evidence that we can never fully earn our way to forgiveness. While many thought they could keep the law through a series of religious rituals, Jesus showed how far we all fall from God‟s standard. He said, “You heard it said, „Do Not Murder‟, but I tell you that anyone who hates his brother has murdered him in his heart. You have heard „Do not commit adultery,‟ but I say that if you look at a woman lustfully, you have committed adultery with her in your heart. You may have heard, „Keep you solemn promises,‟ but I tell you to always speak honestly, letting your yes be yes and your no be no.” Jesus tells us to judge others the way we want to be judged.

Jesus was revealing that the source of wrongdoing is rooted deep in the human heart. If we see the fruit of deception, unkindness, impatience, or ingratitude coming from our lives, we need to trace it back to the root. He told us that “out of the heart, the mouth speaks.” Jesus exposed the heart‟s sickness by revealing every human being‟s inability to keep God‟s law. He taught that we should “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”; however, Jesus revealed that no one ever consistently practices this common sense ethic. Jesus also reveals the inadequacy of good works, showing that they are usually motivated by pride, selfishness, and a desire for status. He notes that people often “give” financially to impress people. They pray publically to bring attention to themselves. They practice spiritual habits in an attempt to manipulate God into blessing them. Jesus offered the remedy to that sickness: God offers to forgive anyone who admits they fall short. He offers to change us from the inside out. He offers to cleanse our hearts so that the fruits of our lives can grow from a new root: freely given forgiveness and a right standing with God.

Jesus moooved people by telling Pair-of-Bulls

Jesus' teachings and ministry can be divided into three sections: Parables, Signs, and "I Am" statements. This section‟s icon depicts a "pair of bulls," or parables. (No, Jesus did not talk about two male cows, but he was a moooving speaker.) He taught parables -- earthly stories with a heavenly meaning. Some of His many parables talked about God's love for those who didn‟t know Him. Jesus constantly reminded people that God wants people to look up, not measure up, for forgiveness. Jesus said, “Those who know they need forgiveness are like the sick who seek treatment from a doctor. Those who think they are „good enough‟ don't realize they need forgiveness and die from an undiagnosed disease. Jesus' parables repeatedly showed that the works-oriented "religious" people were more blind than the non-religious people.

Jesus constantly taught stories about God's pursuing love. He showed us God‟s joy in welcoming new people into His family. God‟s joy was like the excitement of finding a lost coin, a lost sheep, or a lost son. Jesus taught that God's kingdom is like a lavish dinner party where everyone is invited! Jesus revealed the history of mankind's rebellion with a story of a landowner who sent his own son to the land renters, only to be killed by them.

Jesus taught parables about helping others and loving enemies. He taught about a Good Samaritan helping his cultural enemy while the religious leaders ignored his pain. Jesus taught us to forgive by telling a parable of a king who forgave a multi-million dollar loan to a man. The same man who had been forgiven millions ran into a friend who owed him pennies. Rather than paying forward his forgiveness, this man threw the debtor in prison over a few cents. In the metaphor, Jesus explains that we owe a massive debt to God, yet He is willing to forgive it if we merely look up, rather than try to measure up. When we discover that God will forgive our “billions,” we can dismiss the “pennies” owed us by our friends and neighbors.

Jesus taught us to approach God according to His graciousness, rather than our demands, in a parable about laborers in the vineyard. Those who humbly approached God in grace receive far more than those who try to "make a deal" and earn their cut.

Jesus' parables were designed to make the truths of the kingdom memorable. Each one taught something about God, something about the pain of rebellion, and something about the blindness of religion. Jesus offers righteousness, or right standing with God, that comes from what God does for us, not by what we earn by our works.

Signs, signs everywhere are signs!

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John speak of Jesus' supernatural miracles. John called them "signs." A sign points to something greater than itself. John shows that the signs of Jesus revealed His true identity as the divine God, not merely a teacher or philosopher. Each of these signs showed Jesus' mastery over some aspect of creation. Jesus wanted everyone to "look up to Him for forgiveness." These signs also serve as claim support for His declaration that "no man comes to the Father, except through Me."

The First Sign was the water turned into wine. The groom was surprised that such fine wine was served so late in the party. Typically, watered-down wine was served when everyone was tipsy and couldn't discern its quality. The miracle showed that you can save the best for last. Jesus is the "best-for-last" display of God's identity. God sent prophets, judges, kings, and priests; but Jesus is the final and finest taste of God. This sign also showed that Jesus has a mastery over the created world.

The Second Sign occurred when He healed a sick boy. A royal official came to ask Jesus to heal his dying child. In response, Jesus boldly declared "Your son will live." The man took Him at his word and received news that his boy was healed as he traveled home. Jesus was able to heal a distant boy He had never touched or even seen!

The Third Sign occurred when Jesus cured a paralyzed man. The paralytic had been sitting by a pool waiting for a superstitious healing. For years, this man had heard that once a year an angel came upon the water and "magically" healed the first sick person in the pool. This man was staring at the water wishing he had someone to help him in, when Jesus approached and asked him if he wanted to be made well. Jesus asked him to turn from his superstition and look upon Him for healing. The man did so, and his 38-year affliction was healed instantly. This sign revealed that Jesus is the master Healer.

Jesus‟ Fourth Sign occurred when He fed a huge crowd with a handful of food. Thousands had gathered to hear Jesus teach; but they were hungry. Jesus borrowed a small lunch from a young boy and prayed for God to bless the meal. The disciples passed out the food, and miraculously some 5,000 people dined eagerly as Jesus multiplied the food over and over again.

Later, as Jesus' disciples headed out on their boat for an evening ride, Jesus approached them walking on the water (the Fifth Sign). The disciples were shocked to see that Jesus had mastery over the laws of nature. Jesus even invited Peter to join Him on the soggy stroll. As long as Peter looked up to Jesus, he was able to walk on water. But when he looked down at the waves, he began to sink. (Some dispute that the Bible is actual history because of the miracles. They claim these signs prove the Bible is a fairy tale. Consider this: If the Bible is true, and Jesus was God, shouldn't God be able to do miracles? Isn't that rational and logical? Wouldn't it be more dubious if God claimed to come to Earth and then didn't do anything miraculous? John was giving evidence that a supernatural God can do supernatural things.)

Many chapters in the New Testament are devoted to additional signs and miracle. Jesus gave sight to a blind boy and taught us that suffering was not caused by the boy's misdeeds or his parent's mistakes. Jesus disputed karma and showed that God can use misfortune to reveal His power. Some uppity religious leaders were outraged that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, a commanded day of rest. Their religious rules trumped God‟s compassion once again. The once-blind man and his parents were called to court to explain. The blind fellow simply testified, "I once was blind, but now I see." This sign showed us that Jesus is the God who heals, is the God who can bring good out of bad situations, and is the God who can easily bring sight to blind eyes.

Ironically, the spiritual leaders who argued over Jesus' Sabbath violation were blind spiritually. They obsessed over rules and rituals rather than embracing God's forgiveness. They were blinded by their good deeds. These self-righteous fanatics believed that their good deeds outweighed their bad deeds in God‟s eyes.

Jesus had harsh words for such religious people. The religious thought they were better than others because of their rituals and rule-keeping. Jesus describe them as “white-washed tombs full of dead men‟s bones.” They looked good on the outside, but they were cracked and decaying inside. Jesus showed that deed-oriented hearts are full of religious judgment, arrogance, and self-righteousness.

Jesus offered a new message, completely upside-down from religion. While religion is about changing from the outside in, Jesus offered to change people from the inside out. Jesus offered to clean our hearts knowing that all actions flow from the heart. Jesus offered to place His new kingdom and culture into each person‟s life. He taught a counter-intuitive philosophy: “It‟s better to give than receive; find your life by losing it; become first by going last; humble yourself and be exalted; choose to serve rather than be served.” Jesus showed that justifying one‟s self through religious deeds always leads to self -promotion and oppression, while His message leads to humble confidence and freedom.

One of the most powerful signs Jesus performed alluded to His own destiny. Jesus raised a friend from the dead. After Lazarus had died, Mary and Martha were mourning and lamented that Jesus didn't come quickly enough to heal their brother. When he did arrive, He wept with them, and offered a promise: "I am the resurrection and the life, whoever believes in me, though dead, shall live." Jesus said that the next sign would prove His power over death.

Jesus walked to the tomb door, had the stone rolled away, and called out, "Lazarus, come out!" His friend exited the tomb, fully alive. This sign proved that God‟s Son has power over mankind's final enemy: death itself. Trusting Him will bring not just forgiveness, but also the power to beat death and ultimately live forever with Him in Heaven. Wow!

These signs leave each of us with a choice. Here‟s a fact: the Bible is one of the most validated and well-supported ancient documents ever written – proved to be reliable and historical by archeological science, manuscript evidence, and independent collaboration. Yet in it, Jesus makes some remarkably shocking claims. How will we respond to these claims? Is Jesus a liar pretending to be God? Is He merely a clever magician who performed elaborate tricks that fooled both his doting followers and skeptical enemies? Is Jesus a lunatic who just believed He was God? Did He trick the disciples and future historians into playing along with an elaborate scheme? If these signs occurred as history confirms, is Jesus truly God in the flesh? Is He the only source of forgiveness and entry into Heaven? Each of us must decide and respond to Jesus‟ one question: "Who do you say I am?"

Popeye’s got nothing on God, a.k.a. I AM

Speaking of I am, the next theme of Jesus' teaching and ministry was a series of "I Am" statements. Remember Popeye the Sailor Man? He used to sing, "I am who I am and that's all that I am." Jesus made seven "I Am" statements. This phrase "I Am" is significant. When Moses asked God His name, God answered, "I Am Who I Am." That strange name was God‟s way of expressing his timelessness and uniqueness. Jesus claimed to be the great "I Am" and said that "before Abraham existed, I Am." In saying this Jesus is claiming to be God, the One who is eternal, self-existent, and beyond time.

Jesus later declared, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." Jesus was comparing Himself to the manna that God provided in the wilderness. Manna was God‟s provision for physical hunger, but also a spiritual provision for trusting Him. Jesus was claiming to be the only one who can satisfy human cravings for meaning, purpose and peace. His love and forgiveness can satisfy our soul‟s deepest appetites through His generous grace.

Jesus called Himself “the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” He was claiming to be the source of all truth, and inviting anyone seeking truth and enlightenment to find the answers in Him.

Jesus also made frequent reference to the temple or tabernacle. As we learned in the Old Testament, the Israelites had one way to encounter the presence of God: in the tabernacle. When He gave instructions to Moses, God dictated that he construct a narrow gate through which one could pass to experience God's forgiveness. Jesus metaphorically referred to Himself as a new gate. God wants anyone and everyone to look up and find His forgiveness. God created a way that one can form a deep friendship with Himself, and Jesus claims to be that way. He promised that through Him, we can be rescued from our moral failures and inadequate good works. Jesus offered a farming metaphor that His culture could easily understand, explaining, “I am the door of the sheep. All who ever came before Me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.” In contrast to other religious leaders who offer theories and unachievable systems, Jesus offers Himself as the way to have the best life possible.

Jesus says that He is the leader, father, and shepherd you've always wanted. He is the shepherd who is willing to die to rescue His flock from danger. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” Jesus is alluding to His death and indicating a willingness to sacrifice Himself for mankind. The main message of the Bible is simply this: Jesus lived the life we should have lived and died the death we should have died. Jesus was willing to express His perfect love for us by dying sacrificially and rescuing us from our inherent brokenness.

The fifth "I Am" was declared when the resurrected Lazarus emerged from the tomb. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus offered to not only die for us as a good shepherd, but to also raise us from the dead at His resurrection! He was claiming to be the great death-defeater; Jesus offers this gift at no charge to anyone who believes in His power.

Jesus challenged his audience to make a choice about His identity. His bold claims are either (a) true and must be accepted or (b) wrong and to be rejected. Jesus unapologetically claimed to be the exclusive "I Am" and said “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” As the One who offered Himself as a sacrifice for mankind‟s wrongdoing, Jesus was claiming to be the only way to know God.

Do you believe this? After all the evidence Jesus presented for His life and identity, what's keeping you from saying, "Jesus, I believe You are who You say You are. I want to stop trying to measure up, but instead look up for forgiveness”?

Jesus‟ final "I Am" speaks of how He promises to work mysteriously in the life of anyone who accepts Him as forgiver. Jesus says that He can be the sole Source of direction, love, and life. He claimed to be the Vine that produces His fruit in our lives. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing.” A Christ- follower is someone who trusts Jesus to forgive and lead them. At the moment a person trusts Christ, the Spirit of Jesus comes to live inside them. What is His fruit? The Bible describes different characteristics of God‟s fruit using words like: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

When God‟s Spirit comes to live within a person, the Bible teaches that authentic good works are finally possible. Why? Because the good works are produced by His Good Spirit within. Prior to this, good works aren't good because they were produced by a selfish heart. They were motivated by either pride, with a "Look what a good person I am" attitude, or fear, with a "I need to do enough to get to Heaven." People who help others to merely pad their heavenly resumes are actually using people, rather than loving them.

In contrast to human efforts to be good, the Spirit of God produces genuine good works from within the human heart. Good deeds flow from Him, not the individual. Good deeds are no longer motivated by the fear of not getting into heaven; your reservation in Heaven is already secured by Christ's sacrificial work. Since admittance to heaven is secure, a Christ-follower‟s good deeds flow from knowledge that God's Spirit is the source of goodness and selflessness. Since God is the source, they can finally be freed from pride since they know He deserves the credit for all things good. When God is the Vine and we are the branches, selfless good works (or fruit) can be harvested from our lives.

Here is a series of questions to test if you are a follower of Christ:

Am I motivated to be good out of fear or pride?
Do I need to be good or want to be good?
Is my acceptance with God based on what I do or what Jesus did?
When I do something good, does He get the credit or do I get the credit?
If I stood before God and He asked me, “Why should you get into heaven?” would I say “Because I did something” or “Because Christ did something”?

Christ’s death turned a symbol of torture into a symbol of love

Jesus spent the bulk of His teaching predicting His death and resurrection. He spoke of Himself as the Passover Lamb who would one day be sacrificed. As His ministry was coming to a conclusion, Jesus celebrated the Passover festival with His disciples. Jesus surprised the disciples by saying that He was the Perfect Lamb of God during this somber dinner. As they were remembering how God had delivered the Israelites from bondage through the sacrifice of a lamb, Jesus promised to sacrifice Himself and deliver His people. Jesus said that His death on the cross would be like the Passover Lamb, in that it would make a way for God's impartial perfect judgment to pass over anyone who placed their trust in Him. Jesus instituted communion during this ceremony by showing that His body, like the bread, would be broken. His blood, like the cup of wine, would be spilled on the cross for the whole world. At this ceremony, Jesus also demonstrated servant leadership by washing his disciple‟s feet.

The same night, Jesus predicted that the disciple Judas, the treasurer of His group, would betray him. Judas left the dinner to gather the corrupt religious leaders and soldiers to apprehend Jesus. Judas‟ payment for the betrayal was 30 pieces of silver, just as the Old Testament had predicted.

At dinner, the disciple Peter vowed to stay with Jesus under any circumstance, no matter the danger or risk. Jesus told Peter that he too would deny Him before the cock crowed the next morning. Peter protested passionately.

Jesus retreated to the Garden of Gethsemane, one of his favorite prayer spots, to reflect and talk to God. He prayed fervently that God would find another way to bring mankind back into right standing with Him. Jesus asked God to “take this cup” from Him. Jesus begged His dad for another option to provide forgiveness for human rebellion. After three requests, Jesus replied, “God, not my will, but Yours be done.” (If there are many ways to get right with God, why would Christ‟s Father make Him go to the cross? If all religions and philosophies lead a sincere person to God, why would His son have to endure such a terrible ordeal?)

Jesus was apprehended in the garden later that night when Judas kissed Him on the cheek. That was the sign that pointed the soldiers to Jesus. He was taken before the Pharisees, a group of legalistic priests, to undergo the mockery of a late-night trial and was convicted of blasphemy (claiming to be God). The Pharisees sentenced Jesus to death and handed Him over to the Romans for execution.

The Roman‟s local governor, Pontius Pilate, investigated the claims about Jesus and found them without merit. The governor‟s wife had a dream warning her to tell Pilate to let Jesus go free. She begged him to have no part in the proceedings. Pilate attempted to let Jesus go by offering the crowd a special holiday deal: the choice to either free Jesus or a murderous criminal named Barabbas. The same crowd who had cheered Jesus‟ triumphant entrance into Jerusalem only days earlier were now stirred up by the religious leaders. The fickle crowd demanded that Pilate release Barabbas, not Jesus.

Pilate tried to save Jesus‟ life once more by having Him seriously beaten, rather than killed. Jesus was whipped with a torturous leather strap barbed with sharp strips of metal and bone, designed to ravage the skin. After beating Him, the soldiers mockingly shoved a crown of thorns onto His head. They ripped out His beard and punched Him viciously in the face. Pilate brought the bloodied Jesus back before the crowd, hoping pity would stir them to ask for a pardon. Instead, the crowd called louder for His crucifixion. Pilate relented and "washed his hands" of responsibility – knowing Jesus was innocent of the charges.

Jesus was forced to carry a large wooden cross uphill to a place called Golgotha (meaning “the place of the skull”) where He would be killed. Giant nails the size of railroad spikes were pounded into His wrists and through both feet, nailing Him to the cross.

His disfigured body was raised before the crowd. Hanging from the nails, with arms outstretched, Jesus tried to push up on the nails in His feet in order to breathe. The torturous death of crucifixion came mainly from suffocation; as strength declined and gravity pulled, the victim could no longer catch his breath.

As He hung there to die, most of the disciples fearfully scattered and abandoned Him. Peter had indeed betrayed him – just as Jesus predicted. His mother Mary and disciple John were the only friends at the cross abiding with Jesus. Two other criminals were being crucified at His sides. One mocked Jesus, while the other begged for God's mercy and forgiveness. Jesus made the criminal the same offer He makes everyone: if he looked to Jesus for forgiveness, he would be with Him in paradise that very day.

God poured all the corruption of the world onto Jesus in the moments of His death. God turned His back as Jesus paid the price for every human failure ever committed – past, present, and future. Jesus cried out, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken me!" At this moment, Jesus was dying the death each of us deserve for our rebellion against God. Jesus looked up to heaven and screamed, "It is finished!" Jesus cried out one final time, "Into your hands I commit My Spirit." At that moment, Jesus died, and God's cosmic offer was sealed.

This rolling stone gathered more than moss

Jesus satisfied the need for justice in the universe by absorbing punishment on behalf of anyone who would accept it. Nearby, the curtain of the temple was torn right down the middle, and the symbolic partition that had separated mankind from God for ages was gone. No one had been allowed into the area where the Ark of the Covenant resided except the high priest. This torn curtain became proof that anyone who trusted in Christ's sacrifice could now come into God' s presence confidently and boldly.

Rather than breaking Christ‟s legs to confirm His death, the Roman soldiers shoved a spear into His side, piercing the sack around Christ's heart. Blood and water (the fluid caused by hypovolemic shock ) flowed from His side. Jesus was taken off the cross – with no bones broken – just as the Old Testament prophets had predicted centuries earlier.

The religious leaders knew that Jesus had predicted His death and resurrection. They wanted to make sure none of the disciples would steal the body. Roman guards were posted at the tomb to keep it sealed. These intimidating warriors had license to kill anyone who threatened the sanctity of the tomb.

The disciples were scattered. The Messiah was dead and buried. Injustice had prevailed. The scheming religious leaders won. Evil triumphed over good. God‟s master plan appeared to be in shambles ... or was it?

On Sunday morning, a few women traveled to the tomb, bringing spices to treat Jesus‟ body. As they approached the tomb, the giant stone had been rolled away. The Roman soldiers were knocked out. Two angels appeared to them saying, "Why are you looking for the living among the dead?" The women entered the tomb and found the body gone. Astonishingly, His burial cloths were folded in the tomb.

In that day, cadavers were mummified in cloth and covered in an elaborate sauce of sticky spices. The mixture served as a glue, cocooning the body, not unlike how a plaster cast protects a broken bone. Unwrapping a body (yours or anyone else‟s) was an impossible task. Remarkably, Jesus had not only come back to life, but removed and folded his burial cloths as final proof of His supernatural resurrection. The stunned women ran to tell Peter and the disciples.

Peter and John assumed the women were mistaken and sprinted to the tomb. Jesus was indeed gone. He appeared to them later in the upper room where they had gathered. Jesus showed Himself alive to Peter, the twelve, and over 500 eyewitnesses at one time. Jesus appeared in a real body, able to eat, hug, and be touched. Jesus was not a mystical spirit or phantom. He was standing before them as a live human, fully healed and resurrected.

Jesus ate some fish and honeycomb, and proved to His followers and skeptics that He was real. Jesus again taught the disciples that the entire Bible was about His death and resurrection. He let doubters, like His friend Thomas, touch His body. He appeared to hundreds of people over the next few weeks.

Look! Up in the sky!

The close of Jesus Christ‟s earthly life approached on the day of His ascension. He gathered a band of friends and followers and challenged them with one final command. This "Great Commission" was Christ's closing commandment that reiterated their purpose onEarth. Jesus challenged the disciples to build friendships around the world with people from all faiths, beliefs and backgrounds. He told them to share His story, His ways, and most importantly, His good news. Jesus commanded the followers to tell everyone that Christ offers a way "to measure up to God, by looking up to Him for forgiveness." He taught them to "disciple" (meaning to mentor or coach) others in the whole message of the Bible. Jesus wants His followers to confidently know the God who made them and rescued them. Jesus wants all to know the passionate love God has for His children.

Jesus told His disciples to baptize people who want to follow Him. Baptism would be a public ceremony whereby people of all ages could openly declare their allegiance to God. This ceremony is an expression to the community that they now trusted God as forgiver and leader.

The role of the church was to proclaim this message to the entire world. The goal was to clearly teach that Jesus came to rescue us from our bad works and inadequate good deeds. We need to stop trying to measure up by being a good person; but instead look up to Christ for forgiveness. The goal was also to make a difference in the world by reflecting God‟s love.

The angels told the disciples to go into the city and wait for Christ's power and Holy Spirit to come upon them. Jesus ascended into the clouds to join God the Father in Heaven. The angels also told us that Jesus would come back one day in the same way He departed.

Jesus defeated death on this visit to Earth; but the next time He returns, He will fix everything: no more disease, no more natural disasters, no more injustice, no more pain, no more tears. His second coming will be the final restoration of Heaven and Earth.

Watch "The Christ"

Watch Pastor Chad Hovind present the sixth part of the Fast Track series, "The Christ."