In the Bible, the death of Jesus Christ is narrated in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The four Gospels follow the life, ministry, crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. From a Biblical stand point, uninfluenced by contexts or approaches in analyzing the Bible’s content, the four Gospels narrate how Jesus Christ was crucified to death and how he rose from the dead. Nevertheless, the narrations in the four Gospels have similarities and differences. Matthew 27 and 28 (NIV) recount the events leading to the death of Jesus Christ, beginning from the day he was and delivered to Pontius Pilate until he was resurrected on the Sabbath day. Matthew 27 (NIV) also narrates Judas’ betrayal, which eventually led to Jesus Christ’s arrest and crucifixion. Mark 15 and 16 (NIV) narrate the events following Jesus Christ’s arrest until Mary Magdalene, Mary, the mother of James, and Salome discovered that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. In Luke and John, the details about the discovery of empty sepulcher of Jesus Christ differ from the details Matthew and Mark had described. The other Gospels did not specify who found the tomb. Mark 16 narrates Jesus Christ’s meeting with his disciples. The similarities between Matthew and Mark include the focus on Pontius Pilate and cruelty of people in defying Jesus Christ and asking for his crucifixion. Furthermore, Matthew and Mark illustrate Jesus Christ’s human nature of fearing and doubting when he asked, “My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?”.
Luke 23 and 24 (NIV) recollected Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and the message to his disciples during the first meeting with them after resurrection. During the crucifixion, Jesus Christ comforted those who had been weeping. He asked the God, his Father, for forgiveness to all those people as they were unaware of what they have been doing. Therefore, Luke portrays Jesus Christ as one who gives comfort to the downtrodden and depicts Him as a merciful individual. In John 19 and 20 (NIV), the narration focused on Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, specifically the interaction between Pontius Pilate and Jesus Christ. The narration in John also appears to be more in details with references to the culture of the Jews, special practices for the dead, for example, clothing the dead body with linen covered with spices on preparation day. The Gospel of John also narrates more details about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and how he initiated fellowship with the disciples before the Ascension. In the narration, the Gospel of John also describes Thomas’ doubt of Jesus Christ’s resurrection.
Overall, the Bible offers a narration of how Jesus Christ was arrested and crucified. The four Gospels offer similar narrations but with minor differences in focus and in details. The Bible remains as proof open for interpretation, about the significance of Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection to the lives of Christians.
Blomberg’s Analysis: The Death of Jesus Christ
In Blomberg’s book, “Jesus and the Gospels: An Introduction and Survey, the author discusses different approaches in interpreting and analyzing the four Gospels. In Chapter 17, Blomberg discussed the Passion, Crucifixion, and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Blomberg also highlighted the previous observations discussed in the last section, especially the similarities between Matthew and Mark. According to Blomberg (2009,), “Matthew begins with material largely parallel to Mark, though heightening the cosmic signs a bit”. Blomberg also underscores that the death of Jesus Christ was part of God’s plan. “Indeed, Luke’s central emphasis on the fulfillment of prophecy in the gospel offers the salvation and forgiveness for those who repent”. In John, Blomberg describes the lengthy narration after Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Blomberg emphasizes that the Gospel of John primarily reflects and illustrates the relationship between Jesus Christ and his disciples. The death of Jesus Christ is pivotal in proving a point, which is God’s sacrifice of letting His son die on the cross, and in influencing the disciples to continue His work on Earth.
Blomberg’s analyses are similar to the initial observations and interpretations of Jesus Christ’s death in the previous section. Nevertheless, Blomberg also magnified the details in the story to point out the message and lesson in Jesus Christ’s death. The story in Mark, for instance “culminates his ministry as a suffering servant; he gives his life as a ransom for many”. Blomberg pointed out the differences in the portrayal of Jesus Christ and also discussed historical contexts by specifying other details such as the timeline of events.
The Death of Jesus Christ
Taking close to heart the story of Jesus Christ’s death plays an important role in the life of a Christian because it presents a view of our purpose on the Earth. Gaining awareness about Jesus Christ’s death as a Christian consequently leads to the realization that he sacrificed his life so the children of God will be spared and saved. The Bible also proves that the death of Christ was a part of God’s plan to show that He loved people that much that was ready to sacrifice His son’s life for the good of the people. Although the idea may be explored in different ways, it essentially encapsulates the concept of “second chances”. The death of Jesus Christ illustrates God’s sacrifice so His children could realize the meaning of life. Jesus Christ is our savior and as Christians, we must not let his death be in vain. We should follow his teachings, spread the Word of God, and expand his ministry.
Jesus Christ’s message to disciples also gives Christians a sense of purpose. In the Gospels, Jesus Christ claimed his title as the Son of God, and as God’s son, Jesus Christ commanded his disciples to go forth and to share His love with other people all over the world. Jesus Christ’s message illustrates the Christian purpose of life, to be an instrument of change, the hand of God at work, to help other people believe in Him and gain salvation by accepting Jesus Christ as their savior.
The Resurrection of Christ
Resurrection of Jesus Christ is Biblical proof of God’s power, work, and miracles. Jesus Christ rising from the dead affirms his title as the Son of God, the creator of miracles. Furthermore, the resurrection also proves that Jesus Christ’s death was part of God’s plan because Mary Magdalene, the other women, and Jesus Christ’s disciples knew the prophecy of resurrection of Christ..
In the previous discussion, Jesus Christ’s death proves the purpose of human beings on Earth. Jesus Christ’s resurrection similarly illustrates the fact. When Jesus Christ faced his disciples, he established his legacy — his ministry. Jesus Christ urged his disciples to be the instruments in spreading the Word of God. Besides, Jesus Christ’s resurrection was the foundation of Christianity. It affirms our immortality, there is life after death and to become a part of it, we must dedicate our life to preaching the Word and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. The death and consequent resurrection of Jesus Christ offers the opportunity for human beings to repent, to gain salvation, and live a full, meaningful life guided by the righteousness of Jesus Christ in preparation for the Second Coming.
Christian Worldview
The death of Jesus Christ builds on the solid foundation and creates the basis of Christianity. His death and resurrection unite the purpose of every Christian. As Christians, we must honor God’s sacrifice by using it as an opportunity, a second chance for a better life through which we repent and ask for forgiveness, let God be present into our lives, and serve Him until the end of days. On the other hand, resurrection for Christians means to have high regard for God’s power and for Jesus Christ as the Son of God. The message that received disciples also gives Christians an idea of how to lead a decent life on the Earth, the realization of the duty or responsibility for spreading the Word of God.