Easter 2016

Easter is almost here; when the Christians of this world will celebrate the crucifixion, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ of Nazareth. What does Easter mean to you? Is it just another holiday season for you? Will you go about this Easter doing your own things and forgetting the message of Easter? Perhaps you are an atheist, or follow a different religion. Perhaps you are just indifferent to it all. What's all the fuss and bother about anyway? Why can't I be left alone; I don't want to be reminded about a man who died on a cross over 2,000 years ago. What possible relevance can it have for me in this day and age?

The Roman Governor Pontius Pilate asked this question of the crowd gathered at the trial of Jesus of Nazareth. "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?"

This was a personal question by Pilate. He had a decision to make. He had to decide if he would release Jesus of Nazareth, an innocent man, to the people or release Barabbas a thief and a murderer.  The crowd's choice would have a direct bearing on his decision.

Let's look at Matthew chapter 27 to see the outcome.

Matthew 27:15-23 :

"(15) Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished.*
(16) And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas.
(17) Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?"

(18) For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy.
(19) While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him."

(20) But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitudes that they should ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus.

(21) The governor answered and said to them, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?" They said, "Barabbas!"

(22) Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"

(23) Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"

This is an interesting phenomenon; the crowd would rather have a convicted thief and murderer released into society, rather than an innocent man who had done no wrong. The chief priests and rulers of the Jews had stirred up the crowd because they wanted Jesus of Nazareth dead. Pilate knew the reason. "For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy."

Now let's look at the significance of the title 'Christ'. In Matthew chapter 26 we have the account of Jesus' arrest by the Jewish High Priest's temple guard.

Matthew 26:62-67:

"(62) And the high priest arose and said to Him, "Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?"

(63) But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to Him, "I put You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God!"
(64) Jesus said to him, "It is as you said. Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven."

(65) Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has spoken blasphemy! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy!

(66) What do you think?" They answered and said, "He is deserving of death."
(67)Then they spat in His face and beat Him; and others struck Him with the palms of their hands."

Please note the great importance of the question in verse 63, "Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God! Jesus said, "It is as you said."

Here is a Man who declared by His answer that He is the Christ, the Son of God. A Man who is truly man and truly God! The Christ of the New Testament Scriptures is the Jewish Messiah of the Old Testament Scriptures. This is the One of whom the prophet Isaiah wrote about in Isaiah 9:6,7.

"(6) For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

(7) Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this."

When Jesus of Nazareth was born in Bethlehem angels appeared in the night sky to shepherds guarding their flocks out in the fields.

Luke 2:8-14:

"(8) Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
(9) And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.
(10) Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.

(11) For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
(12) And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger."
(13) And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

(14) "Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"

2 Corinthians 5:18-19:

"(18) Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation,
(19) that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."

That's why Jesus the Christ died on a Roman cross at Calvary; it was to pay the price of your sins and my sins. There was no other way you and I could be reconciled to a holy, sin-hating God. He paid the price in His own blood to redeem us back to God and to give us eternal life.

Pilate gave in to the Jews request to release Barabbas and he condemned Jesus Christ to be crucified. Easter is when the world at large remembers what Christ has done for us. Pilate had a decision to make and for political expediency he made the wrong decision. Did you know Pilate's question to the Jews is relevant today? It is an intensely personal question which has to be answered by each individual. "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" Only you can answer that for yourself. Do you want Him as your Saviour and Lord, or will you be like the crowd who condemned Him and wanted nothing to do with Him? Your eternal destiny is conditional upon your choice!

Jon Peasey

Words of Life blog www.jrpeasey.blogspot.com

Ebooks author page https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/JRPeasey

[All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James version; unless otherwise noted. Words enclosed in [ ] are inserted for clarity. Words in bold type emphasise a point. You may notice some verses are quoted with ... at the beginning, ending or elsewhere in a verse. Only the relevant part or parts of the verse, that relate directly to the current subject matter is quoted.]

[If you have any questions or comments you are invited to contact me via the comments section below.]