Who Fulfilled Scripture when He Died and Rose Again?

When Jesus came to Earth, He knew exactly why He had come. Jesus had come to save sinners. 

A few days after Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, He ate a special meal with His disciples. After He washed their feet, they shared a meal and sang together. Later that night, Jesus went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray. Because He was both fully God and fully man, He knew what was about to happen. Soon He would face death on the cross. Jesus prayed and asked God to take this trial away. Even though God didn’t take it away, Jesus obeyed God’s plan. Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 14:12-42.

As Jesus prayed, He knew Judas would betray Him to the religious leaders. When a crowd of men came to arrest Him holding swords and clubs, His disciples fled. But Jesus didn’t fight or run away. Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 14:43-50. 

Late that night, the priests, elders and scribes looked for a reason to put Jesus to death. They didn’t believe Jesus was God’s Son, the Messiah. Jesus’ friends acted like they didn’t know Him. The people hit and spit on Him. Even though Jesus was all-powerful, He didn’t stop them. Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 14:53-72.

The next day, Jesus was taken to the Roman ruler Pilate. As the crowd gathered, Pilate asked why the priests arrested Jesus; no one had an answer. The crowd simply shouted, “Crucify Him!” To keep the crowd satisfied, Pilate sent Jesus to be crucified — to be put to death on the cross. Jesus had done nothing wrong, but Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 15:1-15.

The soldiers put a purple cloak on Him, made Him a crown of thorns and even divided up His clothing. They hung Jesus on a cross, piercing through His hands and feet, and mockingly called Him the “King of the Jews.” Some even called for Jesus to save Himself. Remember, Jesus is fully God and has all of God’s power, He could have saved Himself; but instead, Jesus hung on the cross and took His last breath. He took our sin, died on the cross and fulfilled God’s Word. Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 15:33-39.

Jesus’ body was removed from the cross, wrapped in linen cloths and placed in a tomb. A large stone covered the opening, and guards kept watch. It seemed that all hope was lost. But Jesus had come for this. Big kids can read about this in Mark 15:42-47.

Three days later, when the women went to provide a proper burial for Him, they found the heavy stone rolled away. Inside they didn’t find Jesus, but instead, a messenger of the Lord who spoke these precious words (Mark 16:6), You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. Jesus rose from the dead, proving He was God’s Son. Jesus, the Messiah, had come for this.

Jesus’ life, death and resurrection perfectly fulfilled God’s Word. Even though Jesus faced pain, persecution and death, He did so willingly to save all those who trust in Him for the forgiveness of sins. Jesus put an end to the separation between God and us; Jesus had come for this.