The Man who was Born to Die

On February 7, 2009 bushfires raged through Victoria, causing devastation and loss of life.  

A few weeks ago, I went with some friends to badly affected Kinglake where the bushfires devasted some of the Victorian landscape.  I was struck and overwhelmed by the devastation. Australian flags hung on the rubble of burnt properties. A green forest stripped back to a eerie, desolate scene.  Kinglake National Park is shut indefinitely.  The walls of the police station are blackened by the fire.  The pizza shop is gone forever.

Yet, as we looked on I was impacted by the contrast I saw in a fern nearby.  The stark contrast of the lush fern against the darkened, burnt trees around it.  The vivid colour of the fern was even brighter against the darkness of the destruction.  This for me is what easter is about. Easter is about new life.

According to the Christian faith, Easter is a remembrance of the death of Jesus and a celebration of His resurrection.  But, why is the death of one man so important that it is still being remembered two thousand years later?  After all, he was the not the only man to be crucified.  This was common practice at the time.  For me, Jesus is remembered because of what he said and the way he said it.  Accoring to the Bible, Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to Father but by me.”  He also said, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."  On an initial glance, these statements can be discounted as abstract and philosophical statements. Unless, Jesus Christ, was telling the truth about what he said.  A closer look is needed at Jesus.  He died, in the most shameful way, as he said he would; Jesus rose again, three days later.  This is verified by eyewitness accounts from the 12 apostles and from 500 witnesses at different points in time.  

Now, we can speculate, debate and discuss the implications of a physical man dying and coming back to life three days later.  But, I have a simple question here for everyone.  Jesus publicly declared He would die and rise again three days later ( a very definitive statement)  So, either Jesus was a raving fool and liar or Jesus was lucid and made these statements with the understanding of what would happen : that he was born to die. (Isn't it interesting that the two biggest public holidays in the world revolve around the birth and death of Jesus)

Jesus' life, bold statements, shameful death and prophesied resurrection cannot be ignored.   Jesus Christ is either embraced and followed as more than a philosopher and teacher or he is ignored and shunned as an empty voice.  

In my eyes, Jesus death gives new life for all who choose to believe.