Islam & the Cross

UNAPOLOGETIC

Did Jesus Really Die on the Cross?

BIG IDEA

The cross isn't a detail of Christianity. The cross is the center of Christianity.

WHAT I WANT STUDENTS TO KNOW

Jesus was really crucified, and Jesus really died.

WHAT I WANT STUDENTS TO FEEL

The weight of the reality that Jesus willingly endured the cross for them.

WHAT I WANT STUDENTS TO DO

Stop just respecting Jesus and surrender to Him as Lord.

PROP PREP

If possible, have a table on stage with a closed box, briefcase, tote, or evidence container.

Inside it, place:

A Bible

A Roman coin, replica coin, or printed image connected to Pontius Pilate

A large iron spike or railroad-style spike as an illustration of crucifixion

A card or folder marked CONFIRMED DEAD

A strip or folded piece of linen

A card marked FOR YOU

Also prepare three larger cards or signs:

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED

JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER

If possible, have a wooden cross somewhere visible in the room.

Give every student a small blank card and something to write with when they enter. Do not explain what the card is for yet.

OPENING

Tonight we're going to do something a little different.

Because I want to start with three statements.

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED.

JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.

Those three statements cannot all be true.

And by the time we're finished tonight, I want us to figure out which statement survives.

Because whether Jesus actually died on the cross is not some random piece of Christian trivia.

If Jesus wasn't crucified...

Christianity has a massive problem.

Actually, Christianity falls apart.

Because Christianity isn't primarily built around Jesus giving us good advice.

Christianity is built around an announcement:

Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.

Last year, we talked about another huge question:

Did Jesus really rise from the grave?

But there's something that has to happen before somebody can rise from the dead.

They actually have to die.

So tonight we're asking:

DID JESUS REALLY DIE ON THE CROSS?

[Place the evidence box on the table.]

And tonight I don't want you simply to believe that because your pastor told you.

I want us to look at the case.

WHY ARE WE TALKING ABOUT ISLAM?

Now some of you may be wondering:

What does Islam have to do with any of this?

Because Islam seems like an entirely different religion.

And there are major differences between Christianity and Islam.

But here's something that might surprise you.

Muslims have an extremely high view of Jesus compared to what many people assume.

Muslims believe Jesus was an important prophet.

They believe He was the Messiah.

They believe He was born to Mary.

They believe He performed miracles.

They believe God sent Him.

So if you ask a Muslim:

“Do you respect Jesus?”

The answer may absolutely be yes.

That's important.

Because sometimes Christians assume the difference between Christianity and Islam is:

“We believe in Jesus and they don't.”

That's not really the issue.

The issue is:

WHO IS JESUS?

Islam says Jesus was a great prophet, but Jesus is not God.

Islam rejects the Christian belief that Jesus is the divine Son of God.

And Islam teaches something else that directly intersects with what we're discussing tonight.

Islam teaches that Jesus was not actually crucified and killed.

So now we have competing claims.

[Point to the first two signs.]

Christianity says:

Jesus was crucified and died.

Islam says:

Jesus was not crucified.

Both can't be true.

And that matters because Islam came approximately six centuries after Jesus.

Christianity's claim about the cross didn't suddenly appear hundreds of years later.

Jesus' followers were proclaiming His crucifixion from the beginning.

So tonight we're going to ask:

What does the evidence actually show?

READ MATTHEW 27:45–50

Jesus has already been betrayed.

Arrested.

Beaten.

Flogged.

Mocked.

A crown of thorns has been placed on His head.

He has been taken to a Roman cross.

And now Matthew brings us into the final moments.

Read Matthew 27:45–50 “From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.” .

Matthew 27:45–50 CSB

From noon until three in the afternoon, darkness came over the whole land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling for Elijah.” Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and offered him a drink. But the rest said, “Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.” But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.

Then stop on verse 50.

“But Jesus cried out again with a loud voice and gave up his spirit.”

Matthew isn't vague.

He makes a claim.

Jesus died.

But should we trust that claim?

Let's open the case.

EVIDENCE #1

MULTIPLE ACCOUNTS

[Open the box and remove the Bible.]

The first thing we have is this.

The Bible.

But don't misunderstand what I'm saying.

Sometimes people hear:

“The Bible says Jesus died.”

And immediately think:

“Of course the Bible says that. Christians wrote it.”

But the New Testament doesn't contain one passing reference to Jesus' crucifixion.

Matthew records it.

Mark records it.

Luke records it.

John records it.

Paul talks about it repeatedly.

The earliest Christian preaching revolved around it.

The earliest Christians weren't saying:

“Jesus taught us some really beautiful principles.”

They were preaching:

Jesus was crucified.

Paul summarizes the gospel this way:

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day...” 1 Corinthians 15:3–4

1 Corinthians 15:3–4 CSB

For I passed on to you as most important what I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Death.

Burial.

Resurrection.

Those claims were connected from the very beginning.

[Place the Bible on the table.]

PIECE OF EVIDENCE #1:

Multiple early Christian witnesses say Jesus died.

EVIDENCE #2

THIS HAPPENED IN REAL HISTORY

[Pull out the Roman coin or image.]

Christianity doesn't say:

“A long time ago in a mysterious kingdom somewhere...”

The Gospel writers connect Jesus to real people.

Real places.

Real governments.

Pontius Pilate.

The Roman Empire.

Jerusalem.

Even ancient writers outside Christianity reference Jesus' execution under Pontius Pilate.

Jesus wasn't supposedly executed in some hidden location.

The crucifixion was a public Roman event.

Religious leaders were there.

Roman soldiers were there.

People passing by were there.

Jesus' followers were nearby.

This wasn't secret.

[Place the coin/image beside the Bible.]

PIECE OF EVIDENCE #2:

Jesus' crucifixion is connected to a real historical time and a real Roman governor.

EVIDENCE #3

ROME WAS TRYING TO KILL HIM

[Pull out the large spike.]

Now, this isn't an actual nail from Jesus' cross.

This is simply an object to help us picture what we're talking about.

Hold this for a second.

Crucifixion wasn't punishment designed to teach somebody a lesson and send them home.

It was execution.

Rome was incredibly good at this.

The purpose of a crucifixion was not:

“Let's hurt Him really badly.”

The purpose was:

Kill Him.

So when people suggest:

“Maybe Jesus just passed out.”

“Maybe Jesus survived.”

“Maybe everybody thought He died.”

We have to remember who was performing the execution.

Professional Roman soldiers.

And their job wasn't finished until the prisoner was dead.

[Let the spike sit in your hand for a moment.]

This is where I want us to slow down.

Because crucifixion is easy for Christians to sanitize.

We put crosses on necklaces.

On shirts.

On buildings.

On walls.

But in the first century, nobody looked at a cross and thought:

“That would make a nice necklace.”

They saw execution.

Humiliation.

Pain.

Death.

[Place the spike on the table.]

PIECE OF EVIDENCE #3:

Jesus was subjected to a Roman method of execution designed to end in death.

EVIDENCE #4

PILATE VERIFIED THE DEATH

Now look at this.

Read Mark 15:42–45.

Mark 15:42–45 CSB

When it was already evening, because it was the day of preparation (that is, the day before the Sabbath), Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who was himself looking forward to the kingdom of God, came and boldly went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’s body. Pilate was surprised that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died. When he found out from the centurion, he gave the corpse to Joseph.

Joseph of Arimathea goes to Pontius Pilate and asks for Jesus' body.

But Pilate is surprised that Jesus is already dead.

So what does Pilate do?

He checks.

[Pull out the CONFIRMED DEAD card.]

Mark says:

“Summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had already died.”

Pilate asks the Roman officer responsible for what happened.

The centurion confirms the death.

And only then does Pilate release Jesus' body.

That's an important detail.

Pilate doesn't hand over a wounded prisoner.

He doesn't hand over an unconscious Jesus.

He releases...

the corpse.

[Place the CONFIRMED DEAD card on the table.]

PIECE OF EVIDENCE #4:

The Roman authorities verified that Jesus was dead before releasing His body.

EVIDENCE #5

THE SOLDIERS THEMSELVES SAW THAT HE WAS DEAD

Read John 19:31–35.

John 19:31–35 CSB

Since it was the preparation day, the Jews did not want the bodies to remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with him. When they came to Jesus, they did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once blood and water came out. He who saw this has testified so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.

The soldiers are trying to bring the crucifixions to an end.

They break the legs of the other men.

But when they reach Jesus, John says:

“They did not break his legs since they saw that he was already dead.”

Then one of the soldiers pierces His side.

Again, John's point is obvious.

Jesus didn't barely survive the crucifixion.

Jesus was dead.

EVIDENCE #6

THEY BURIED A BODY

[Pull out the linen.]

After His death, Jesus is taken down.

His body is wrapped.

And Jesus is placed in a tomb.

[Hold the linen.]

This matters because the Christian claim isn't:

“Jesus disappeared.”

The claim isn't:

“Jesus escaped.”

The claim is:

Jesus died.

Jesus was buried.

And then something happened that changed history.

[Place the linen on the table.]

But that's next week's question.

Or maybe last year's lesson.

Tonight we're staying right here.

Did Jesus actually die?

Look at the table.

[Walk through each object.]

Multiple witnesses.

A real Roman execution.

A real historical governor.

Professional executioners.

A verified death.

A body.

A burial.

At some point we have to decide what we're going to do with the evidence.

[Walk over to the signs.]

So let's deal with our first two statements.

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED.

JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED.

Based on the evidence we have...

Christianity stands on the claim:

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED.

[Remove or turn around the “JESUS WAS NOT CRUCIFIED” sign.]

But we're not done.

Because there's one more statement sitting here.

IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.

And I think this one may actually be more dangerous for many of us.

THE SERMON TURNS

Here's why.

Most of you probably walked into this room already believing Jesus died.

I doubt many of you came in thinking:

“I don't believe in the crucifixion.”

But here's my concern.

You can believe Jesus died...

and live like it doesn't really matter.

You can know every answer.

You can defend Christianity against Islam.

You can explain why Jesus really died.

You can win an argument.

And still miss the cross.

Because eventually we have to stop asking only:

DID JESUS DIE?

And start asking:

WHY DID JESUS DIE?

READ JOHN 10:17–18

Jesus says: JOHN 10:17–18

John 10:17–18 CSB

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have the right to lay it down, and I have the right to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

“I lay down my life so that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.”

Now pick the spike back up.

Earlier, this represented evidence.

Rome crucified Jesus.

Jesus died.

But now this object represents something else.

Because Jesus says:

No one takes my life from me.

Think about that.

Jesus knew the cross was coming.

Jesus talked about it before it happened.

Jesus could have stopped it.

And He didn't.

Jesus wasn't trapped.

He wasn't caught off guard.

The cross wasn't God's plan failing.

THE CROSS WAS THE PLAN.

FOR YOU

[Pull out the card marked FOR YOU.]

Put this beside the spike.

Because Christianity doesn't merely teach:

Jesus died.

Christianity teaches:

JESUS DIED FOR YOU.

Read 1 Peter 2:24:

1 Peter 2:24 CSB

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree; so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree...”

Why did Jesus die?

Because our deepest problem isn't that we need better information.

Our problem is sin.

And this is one of the biggest differences between Christianity and every worldview that says humanity mainly needs more instruction, greater morality, better discipline, or another prophet.

If all we needed was somebody to tell us what to do...

God could send another teacher.

If all we needed was another list of rules...

God could send another prophet.

If all we needed was motivation...

Jesus wouldn't need a cross.

But Christianity says our problem goes much deeper.

We have sinned against a holy God.

And sin brings death.

So Jesus didn't merely come to teach us.

JESUS CAME TO SAVE US.

[Point to the spike and FOR YOU card.]

The cross says two things at the same time.

First:

YOUR SIN IS MORE SERIOUS THAN YOU THINK.

Look at what it cost.

But secondly:

YOU ARE MORE LOVED THAN YOU REALIZE.

Look at what He was willing to give.

THE TENSION FOR OUR STUDENTS

And this is where Islam stops being the main conversation.

Because you can completely disagree with Islam...

and still treat Jesus almost exactly like a prophet.

You might say:

“Of course Jesus is God.”

“Of course Jesus died.”

“Of course Jesus rose.”

But functionally...

Jesus is somebody who gives you advice.

Be nice.

Don't lie.

Forgive people.

Go to church.

Help people.

Pray when you're struggling.

And if that's all Christianity is to you...

then Jesus is basically your favorite religious teacher.

Here's the question:

IS JESUS SOMEONE YOU RESPECT...

OR IS JESUS YOUR LORD?

Because respecting Jesus isn't the same as surrendering to Jesus.

You can respect Jesus and control your own life.

You can admire Jesus and ignore Him.

You can agree with Jesus and never submit to Him.

You can grow up around Jesus and never belong to Jesus.

ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES TO LIVE

One of the most dangerous places spiritually is:

Close to Jesus, but never surrendered to Jesus.

You know the songs.

You've been to camp.

You've gone to small group.

You know Bible stories.

Your family goes to church.

You believe Jesus died.

You believe Jesus rose.

But your life still belongs to you.

Your relationships belong to you.

Your future belongs to you.

Your sexuality belongs to you.

Your phone belongs to you.

Your reputation belongs to you.

Your plans belong to you.

Your anger belongs to you.

Your habits belong to you.

Everything belongs to you...

and Jesus gets whatever is left.

But if the Son of God really died for you...

He isn't asking to become one more part of your life.

HE IS LORD.

REMOVE THE FINAL FALSE STATEMENT

[Walk over to IT DOESN'T REALLY MATTER.]

Does the cross matter?

Everything depends on it.

[Remove or turn around the sign.]

Leave only:

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED.

Then place the FOR YOU card beneath it.

So now the students see:

JESUS WAS CRUCIFIED AND DIED.

FOR YOU.

Pause.

Don't rush this.

THE GOSPEL

Jesus lived the life we could not live.

Jesus never sinned.

We have.

And because of our sin, we're separated from God.

We cannot fix that separation ourselves.

Religion cannot save us.

Being a good person cannot save us.

Being raised in church cannot save us.

Knowing Bible answers cannot save us.

So Jesus did what we could never do.

He willingly went to the cross.

He took our sin upon Himself.

He died the death we deserved.

He was buried.

And three days later...

He rose from the grave.

That's the gospel.

Not:

Try harder.

Not:

Be religious.

Not:

Become a better person.

The gospel is:

JESUS SAVES.

RESPONSE OBJECT LESSON

Remember the card you were given when you walked in?

Take it out.

I'm going to ask you one question.

And nobody else needs to know what you write.

Don't write what your friend needs to surrender.

Don't write what your parents need to surrender.

Don't write the Christian answer.

I want you to answer honestly:

IF JESUS WILLINGLY GAVE HIS LIFE FOR ME...

WHAT PART OF MY LIFE AM I STILL UNWILLING TO GIVE HIM?

Maybe it's one word.

Control.

Relationship.

Pornography.

Anger.

Popularity.

Future.

Sports.

Fear.

Money.

Sex.

Pride.

Approval.

My phone.

My plans.

Whatever it is.

Write it down.

Give them a moment of silence.

Don't talk over it.

RESPONSE AT THE CROSS

If you're ready to surrender that area to Jesus...

not because putting paper somewhere magically changes your life...

but because you're saying:

“Jesus, this belongs to You.”

You're responding to what He has already done.

[Point one final time toward the spike and FOR YOU card.]

He surrendered Himself for you.

Now the question is:

WILL YOU SURRENDER YOURSELF TO HIM?

KNOW

Tonight I want you to know:

Jesus really was crucified.

Jesus really died.

This isn't mythology.

This happened.

FEEL

I want you to feel:

Jesus didn't almost die for you.

Jesus gave His life for you.

DO

And I want you to do something with that truth:

Stop merely respecting Jesus.

Surrender to Jesus.

TRANSITION TO SMALL GROUPS

As we move into groups, we're not going to spend the entire time debating Islam.

We're going to talk about what this means for us.

You don't have to tell anybody what you wrote on your card.

But I want you to be honest tonight.

Because maybe the biggest issue isn't whether you can prove that Jesus died.

Maybe the bigger issue is:

If Jesus gave everything for you...

why are you still holding something back from Him?

Let's talk about that together.