The death of Jesus was also for atonement, Jesus died to save us from our sins, “To give his life as a ransom for many.” (Mk. 10:45) Jesus’ life was a ransom, his death was a payment for our sins. As man sinned God demanded a payment from man but only a truly innocent victim could make this payment. Jesus was the ‘sacrificial lamb’. Jesus loved us so much that he died for us.
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Christians believe that God sent Jesus into the world to show people a way back to himself. This coming back to God is called reconciliation, it shows that God has forgiven our sins and he is now calling us back to him. The death of Jesus offers hope and reconciliation to the rest of the human race, through Jesus every person has made the breakthrough to the Father. It brings us one step closer to God, and strengthens our relationship with him.
Jesus’ death was a fulfilment of the Old Testament scriptures and a fulfilment of the Father’s will. The suffering and death of Jesus were inevitable, it was predicted in the Old Testament by Daniel and Isaiah and then by Jesus himself: “He began to teach them that the Son of Man was destined to suffer grievously…and to be put to death.” (Mk. 8:31) Jesus was obedient to God’s wishes, he learned obedience and achieved perfection through his suffering and therefore Jesus earned his position as Lord of Humanity.
The Resurrection is the basis of Christianity. Christians are resurrectionists, we believe in life after death. Although Christian Churches have different views on life after death we all share some common views, that death is not the end. Through the Resurrection, victory has triumphed over death. The Resurrection is to a new world free of corruption and sin ruled by God.
We can learn about life after death through Jesus’ teachings in Mark’s Gospel. We are told what we have to do to enter the Kingdom of God and achieve eternal life. Jesus told the rich young man that, “It is much easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich young man to enter the Kingdom of God.” (Mk 10:25) This highlights that wealth is an obstacle to entering the Kingdom of God if you idolise money instead of God. Mark’s Gospel also tells us we should be like little children to enter heaven, “Anyone who does not enter the Kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mk 10:15) Children are innocent, pure and dependent of their parents, we too should be reliant on the Word of God.
Catholics believe that when we die we face immediate judgement to heaven or hell before God. Our souls may not yet be ready to enter heaven. Therefore we experience a time of purification in purgatory until our souls have been perfected and can enter heaven. This is purification by love, not punishment. Catholics believe that heaven and hell are states of mind, being united with God’s love or eternal separation from God.
There is also a belief in the final judgement(i.e on the last day) when all those still alive on earth at that moment will be judged. Those in purgatory will be reunited with their glorified bodies to enjoy God’s love and the presence of their loved ones.
Not all Christians would agree with Catholics, Protestants do not believe in purgatory. Protestants tend to argue that they are saved by their faith alone because they can do nothing more to make them acceptable to God, this is know as ‘Justification by Faith’. Orthodox Churches say bodies will be restored to life again on the last day. Some Christians believe in predestination, that God has already decided who will go to heaven and who will go to hell. Presbyterians believe that in order to be saved you have to repent of your sinful life by returning to God through Christ and find his mercy.
Although some of the Christian Churches’ views differ we share some basic knowledge and understanding of the death of Jesus and life after death. We all believe that the Suffering, Death and Resurrection was part of God’s plan and that Jesus died to save us from our sins and that through his death we have been reconciled with God. Christians also believe that the Resurrection has brought us closer to God and eternal life where we will all be united with God, therefore the Resurrection has answered the question, “Is there anything after this life?”
