John 11:25 Jesus said … “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.
Point #1 Why Passover?
Scripture Reference: Mark 14:1 After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.
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Why was Jesus crucified on Passover?
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First, because it was the only credible day in which
the Lamb of God could have been sacrificed.
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1500 years earlier, God instituted this Feast for
two main reasons.
o
To remember the children of Israel being delivered
from slavery in Egypt.
o
To point to the day God would deliver His children
from slavery to this world.
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The Lamb of God could only have been sacrificed at
the Feast of Passover.
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Jesus is the Passover.
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Matthew 26:2 “You know that after two days is the
Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Discussion Question: What do you think about when you hear the word “Passover?”
Point #2 Why the cross?
Scripture Reference: John 3:14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.
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John 12:32 And I, if I am lifted up from
the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.
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John 12:33 This He said, signifying by what death He
would die.
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It was necessary that Jesus fulfill every prophecy. (Luke
24:44)
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Beheading just would not do.
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His hands and His feet must be pierced. (Psalms
22:16)
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None of His bones could be broken. (Psalms 34:20)
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Isaiah 49:15-16 tells of the Messiah inscribing us
on the palms of his hands.
· Death on the cross allowed for each element of these prophecies to be fulfilled.
Discussion Question: Why do you think it is important to God that each prophecy be fulfilled?
Point #3 Why Resurrection?
Scripture Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ is not risen, your faith is useless, and you are still in your sins.
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The
Resurrection identifies Jesus as the Son of God with power over death.
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Christianity
is the only faith that serves a risen Savior.
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1
Corinthians 15 explains that if there is no Resurrection, then those who die
simply cease to exist.
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If
our faith is only intended to affect this life, then our faith is a pitiful faith.
(1 Corinthians 15:19)
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If
we believe in life after death, we must believe in the Resurrection.
· His death purchased our salvation, and His Resurrection proves it.
Discussion Question: What hope would we have without the Resurrection of the dead?
