Introduction

Sermon on the Resurrection of Christ

Section 1

What happened to Jesus before the cross. During the Last Supper, Jesus went with his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives. He prayed all night because he knew the suffering that awaited him. This intense psychological stress caused him to sweat drops of blood, a condition known as hematidrosis. This also made his skin extremely sensitive, making the beatings he endured even more painful.

The Roman soldiers brutally flogged Jesus with a whip made of leather thongs embedded with metal balls and sharp bone fragments. This caused severe cuts and bruises all over his body, exposing parts of his spine. The beatings put Jesus in a state of hypovolemic shock due to massive blood loss.

Section 2

What happened at the cross. Jesus was nailed to the top part of the cross through his wrists, where the median nerve runs. This caused excruciating pain, similar to hitting one's funny bone. Then, his feet were nailed to the cross, crushing the nerves in his feet. As a result, his arms were stretched and dislocated, fulfilling the prophecy that all his bones would be out of joint.

Crucifixion is a slow death by asphyxiation. The stress on Jesus' muscles and diaphragm forced his chest into an inhaled position, making it difficult for him to breathe. He had to push himself up with his feet to exhale, causing excruciating pain in his feet. This process continued until Jesus was completely exhausted and could no longer push up to breathe. His heart eventually stopped, leading to cardiac arrest.

Section 3

What happened at the tomb. Jesus' body was placed in a tomb with a large stone rolled in front of it. Guards were stationed at the entrance, and a Roman seal was placed on it to ensure its security. However, when the tomb was later checked, it was found to be empty.

The empty tomb is significant because it confirms the resurrection of Jesus. He appeared to many people after his resurrection, including Mary Magdalene, the other women, Cleopas and another disciple on the road to Emmaus, the eleven disciples, and many others. These appearances provide evidence of Jesus' victory over death.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the resurrection of Jesus is of utmost importance. It demonstrates God's love for us and his willingness to sacrifice himself to redeem us. The empty tomb serves as a powerful reminder of the hope we have in eternal life. Let us remember that our lives are precious and that death is inevitable. However, through Jesus' death and resurrection, we can have the assurance of eternal life with him.

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