Evangelical Free Church of Embarass

In the spring of 2004, Mel Gibson's movie, "The Passion of the Christ" premiered across the country. For a few days everyone was talking about Jesus. Wasn't it great?

One question that was commonly discussed was "Who Killed Jesus?" How would you answer the question? The Bible actually gives four answers to the question, "Who Killed Jesus?"

The Roman soldiers, by order of Pontius Pilate
This is one historical answer. Pilate was the only person with the authority to order an execution. By that authority, he handed Jesus over to his soldiers. They beat Him, placed a crown of thorns on His head, nailed Him to the cross, and raised it. The soldiers were doing their job, and they did it well.
The Jews
This is the second historical answer. As politically incorrect as it might be today, the Bible clearly presents the Jewish leaders plotting against and arresting Jesus. They brought Him to Pilate and demanded His death. They even accepted responsibility when they cried, "His blood be upon our hands!" In Acts 2, 3, and 4, the apostles point to their fellow Jews as the ones who killed Jesus.
You and I
We are the spiritual answer to the question. The Bible says that Jesus died in our place, bearing our sins in His body. Jesus died for our sins, paying the penalty of judgment that we deserved. If we had no sin, Jesus would not have gone to the cross; so that makes us responsible, doesn't it? When Diane Sawyer asked Mel Gibson who killed Jesus, He answered, "We all did". Mr. Gibson was right.
God, Himself, killed Jesus
This is the ultimate answer to the question. The prophet Isaiah said that it pleased the Lord to crush Jesus. It was God's plan all along, to bring forgiveness and salvation to the sinners whom He loved. God judged Jesus for our sins, an act of justice, mercy and grace. God demonstrated His love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Have you received the salvation purchased on the cross for you?