Luke's narrative, which follows, tells how Jesus was sentenced to death and crucified by Pilate, the regional Roman ruler, at the urging of Jewish authorities. The Gospel writers depict Jesus as knowing beforehand about his eventual suffering and death, as well as about his resurrection from the dead after three days in the tomb. Orthodox Christianity interprets Jesus' suffering and death in light of the sacrificial system handed down to it from ancient Judaism, in which the blood of slain animals serves as propitiation for sin. Thus, Jesus' death—more specifically, his body and blood—serves as the final and complete sacrifice for the sins of all humanity. Furthermore, because Jesus is no mere man, but deity incarnate, his sacrifice demonstrates the powerful love of God, in that God himself was willing to pay the redeeming penalty for all humanity.
The following passage from Mark's Gospel contains Jesus' words to his disciples that hint at the redemptive nature of his body and blood. This passage, and others like it in the other Gospels, provide the textual basis for a primary ritual in Christianity, which is variously called the Eucharist, mass, or communion. In this ritual, wine (or grape juice) and bread are eaten in a communal meal. Christians differ in their views of the elements of bread and wine in this sacrament; however, most agree that they point directly to Jesus' sacrificial and redemptive death without which humanity would have no hope for ultimate salvation.
Of course, the story does not end with Jesus' death. Orthodox Christianity believes that Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion and then, shortly afterward, ascended to heaven. The resurrection is a powerful symbol for the ultimate victory over both death and sin in that believers can look forward to the day when they, too, will be resurrected to live with God and Christ forever.
Death and Resurrection
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