Died, or lied?

Swoon Theory

Swoon Theory - Jesus didn’t die on the cross, but fell into a coma-like state and was later revived in the tomb.

Historical Evidence

Matthew 27:50 “Then Jesus shouted out again, and he released his spirit.”

Mark 15:37 “Then Jesus uttered another loud cry and breathed his last.”

Luke 23:46 “Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.”

John 19:30 “When Jesus had tasted it, he said, “It is finished!” Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.”

What do they gain from lying?

Show video: 3 minuites

The disciples stand to gain nothing from lying about the death of Jesus.

Extra biblical sources: Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, pg 20) and Tacitus (Annals of Rome, book 15, Chapter 44)

Before we move to the next, picture in your mind what you think the crucifixion would have looked like (show picture after)

Medical Evidence

Before the cross

John 19:1 “Then Pilate had Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip.”

To be flogged by the romans was to be beaten with a leather whip, braided with metal balls and pieces of bone - this would have cut through Jesus’ skin all the way to the bone.

Isaiah 52:14 “But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man.”

The cross

After being flogged, Jesus would have to carry his own cross (300 lbs) about 650 yards to his crucifixion site (the equivalent of digging your own grave).

Jesus would have been nailed through the wrists, piercing the median nerve, by 5-7 inch square nails.

Jesus’ shoulders would have become dislodged

Psalm 22:14 “My life is poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart is like wax, melting within me.”

John 19:31–35 “It was the day of preparation, and the Jewish leaders didn’t want the bodies hanging there the next day, which was the Sabbath (and a very special Sabbath, because it was Passover week). So they asked Pilate to hasten their deaths by ordering that their legs be broken. Then their bodies could be taken down. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the two men crucified with Jesus. But when they came to Jesus, they saw that he was already dead, so they didn’t break his legs. One of the soldiers, however, pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. (This report is from an eyewitness giving an accurate account. He speaks the truth so that you also may continue to believe.)”

There is no doubt about it- Jesus Christ was dead.

but there’s more

Jesus’ suffering was not just physical

Mark 15:34 “Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?””

He was separated from his father

The wrath of God was poured out on him

Jesus felt the punishment for approx. 110 Billion people.

The reason: Love

John 3:16 ““For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

When we lived in sin, we were enemies of God (Colossians 1:21 “This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions.” )

BUT GOD still loved us. He still wanted a relationship with us.

Colossians 1:21–22 “This includes you who were once far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions. Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”

Jesus died so that you have the opportunity to be in his family. THAT’S HOW MUCH HE LOVES YOU!

Sometimes we say phrases so much we lose their meaning. “Jesus loves you”

Take a moment and think about the weight of that statement.

Jesus LOVES you so much, that he:

Stepped out of eternity and into human form.

Was hated, despised, and rejected by most people during his ministry.

Gave up having a house or any possessions.

Was brutally tortured and executed.

Took the punishment of your sins and the wrath of God upon himself. (You should have been on that cross)

Rose from the dead.

Chased you down to introduce himself to you (maybe to this very moment)

Hebrews 12:2 “We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”

The joy Jesus feels of having a relationship with you crushes the pain of the cross.

Without Jesus enduring the cross, we would be opposed to God, and unable to enter a relationship with him. Jesus Christ paid for the sin separating us from God, and opened the door for a right relationship.

Thats why its “good Friday”!

How can we ever thank him?

Give him your life (a call to salvation)

What all comes with salvation?

Reconciled to God

Redeemed

Sin is covered by Christs blood

We become a new creation

Freed from the law

We are adopted children of God

We are made acceptable to God

Justified

Forgiven

Delivered from the powers of darkness

Placed into the kingdom of God

We are royal priests, a chosen generation, and a holy nation

We have access to God

We gain an inheritance

We are citizens of heaven

We are part of Gods family

We are glorified

We are made complete

We possess every spiritual blessing

Why wouldn’t you want this? What does the world have to offer you that is better than this?

If you already possess these things:

Pick up your cross

Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.”

Galatians 2:20 “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Who do you live for? Do you die to yourself daily, just like Christ did, or are you still trying to be the Lord of your own Life?

Died or lied?