Did Jesus really die on the cross?

As we enter Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter and Jesus’ final week on earth, many may have questions about whether or not Jesus died on the cross.

Christians around the world reflect on this time, with gratitude and celebration, because not only did Jesus die on the cross, He rose again!

This concept of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection is not accepted in Islam. In Islam, Jesus is held in high esteem. He is portrayed as a prophet, Isa in Arabic, and they think God couldn’t have allowed His prophet to suffer such a painful and humiliating death.

“And [for] their saying, ‘Indeed, we have killed the Messiah, Jesus, the son of Mary, the messenger of Allah.’ And they did not kill him, nor did they crucify him; but [another] was made to resemble him to them… Rather, Allah raised him to Himself.” Qur’an 4:157-158

Yet the Bible gives us a witness account of Jesus’ death. He did indeed die - the punishment for sin.

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Without sin of His own, Jesus went to the cross to take on the punishment owed for our sin — every single one of us. This is an incomparable truth – that a sinless, blameless man would take on our punishment. That is how much God loves each of us. No matter who we are, Christ gave His life for us.

Jesus’ resurrection is evidence of His victory over sin. In Christ, we are triumphant over sin and death – eternal life is for everyone who believes in Him!

“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” 1 Peter 1:3

This is the good news! It is our mission at Arabic Media Ministries to share the truth of Jesus Christ with everyone, and respond to doubts and questions with biblical truth – that Muslims in hard-to-reach places would have access to this truth and find relationship with the true living God.

Pray with us that Muslims would have an encounter with Jesus this week. The joy of Easter is not just something we reflect on, but a time where the power of the cross will come to life for many people.