We were sitting with a group of teenagers at dinner when the text messages started arriving one after another—“Michael Jackson has died.” We verified the reports, then drove back to the building while radio announcers lamented the unexpected death of the King of Pop. After some time one teen inquired, “Is this what it was like when Elvis died?”
Having not lived it, they wanted to know if there was any similarity. Perhaps when Elvis died, some teenager asked, “Is this what it was like when JFK died?” When JFK died, maybe some teen asked, “Is this what it was like when FDR died?” Having not lived during that time, was there anything similar? Perhaps such questions were asked when Lincoln died, when Napoleon died, when Caesar died, etc. As time passes from generation to generation, the impact of individuals—their lives and their deaths—is soon forgotten.
One is left to wonder if it was ever asked, “Is this what it was like when Jesus died?” Suffice it to say that there has never been any event, before or since, like the death of Jesus! There have been other crucifixions, but never one like His! There have been other innocent men executed, but never one like Him! There has been other blood shed, but never any like His! There have been other great leaders killed, but never one like Him!
No other death has changed the world like the death of Jesus! No other death has done so much good and yet caused so much turmoil as His! No other death has attracted more attention than that of the Son of God! Why is that?
No other death was foreordained from the foundation of the world (1 Pet. 1:20).
No other death was willingly offered to put away the sin of the world (Heb. 9:26).
No other death destroyed the power of the devil (Heb. 2:14).
No other death satisfied the justice of God for the penalty of mankind’s sins (1 John 2:2; 4:10).
No other death was loosed, having no power at all because of the power of the resurrection (Acts 2:23-31).
No other death can change your life, save you from your sins and get you to heaven! The key is for us to never forget what it was like when Jesus died!