Three Days that Changed the World
April 6, 2017
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There has never been an event in history that has so drastically and irreversibly changed the entire world like Jesus Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. No leader in power, no technological advancement or invention, no war or victory, no speech or political march has ever made such an indelible mark on all of humanity as the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross. Allow me to explain why:
First, despite all our advancements and improvements throughout history, we are still the same flawed human beings. Yes, we are still capable of love, kindness, and caring. But we are also still susceptible to sins that can destroy our lives as well as the lives of others. Though we’ve witnessed inspiring speeches and political movements, we are still prone to war and fighting. We are still blinded by our own pride, ego, and faults. We still divide ourselves by “us” versus “them.” And despite the information and knowledge we’ve amassed, crime continues. Individuals and families are still broken, hurting, and lost.
Second, despite everything we’ve accomplished as human beings since the beginning of time, nothing compares to what Christ accomplished on the cross for the sins of the world. In Mark chapters 14 through 16, we get a closer look at the great price Jesus Christ paid to give us freedom from sin and new life. At the Last Supper, which was also on the day of Passover, Jesus tells His disciples that God is establishing a new covenant. The old covenant with the Jewish people was through the Law. The new covenant would be for both Jews and Gentiles through God’s grace and faith in His Son, Jesus Christ (Hebrews 9:15).
This is amazing news for all of us! We were not able to obey the 613 commands of the Old Testament Law, but now, through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, God made a way for the entire world to be brought together for His glory, for the forgiveness of sins and everlasting life! The free gift of salvation is available to all who believe (Romans 1:16).
In the midst of revealing this incomparable and wonderful news, this was also a bittersweet moment for Jesus and His disciples. He shares that one of them will betray him (Mark 14:18) and that Peter will deny Him three times that very night. Later at the Garden of Gethsemane, as Jesus prayed to the Father and agonized about what would happen to Him, all His companions fell asleep. Jesus said, “Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:37-38). What an important reminder for us all to stay sober and alert lest we fall into sin.
As He predicted, Jesus is arrested and His disciples scatter. Peter indeed denies knowing Him, and when he realizes this, he is filled with deep remorse. Jesus is then condemned and judged, tortured and humiliated, and crucified though He was innocent. But He willingly submitted to God’s sovereignty and fulfilled the Scriptures and prophecies about Him, such as Isaiah 53:4-6:
“Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.”
Despite our sin, God loves us and rescues us from our sin through His one and only Son Jesus. Three days after His death, Jesus Christ rose from the dead. “For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). He conquered sin and death so that we, too, can have freedom from sin, receive the Holy Spirit, and obtain everlasting life. The Bible says in John 3:16-17, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” And again in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
We now organize our historical calendar (B.C. and A.D.) by Jesus Christ’s arrival on this earth—and rightly so. No other event and no other person in the history of our planet has ever changed everything so dramatically for mankind—not just then, not just now, but echoing into eternity. To learn more about Jesus, please join us at Shepherd Church at our campuses in Porter Ranch, West Valley, West L.A. and Agua Dulce.
