Easter: Why did Jesus have to die? – TNCC

21st May 2010

Video: Chronicles of Narnia: Aslan’s Death & Resurrection
- Use the main plot line of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” to bring out the gospel message of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross in our place. Some kids may know the story, so get their input. Use screenshots from the movie if necessary.
- For background info: Wikipedia; Beliefnet
- As we teach our children about the cross, let us also remember those wonderful words from Aslan, “that though the Witch knew the Deep Magic, there is a magic deeper still which she did not know. Her knowledge goes back only to the dawn of time. But if she could have looked a little further back, into the stillness and the darkness before Time dawned, she would have read there a different incantation. She would have known that when a willing victim who had committed no treachery was killed in a traitor’s stead, the Table would crack and Death itself would start working backward.”

Why did Jesus have to die? (invite responses)
Because we could not save ourselves from our sin and its consequences (death), and only Jesus (the perfect Man) could take our place in punishment.
Why did Jesus have to rise from the dead?
Jesus’s resurrection from the grave is at the heart of our faith. Paul wrote, “If the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.” (1 Cor 15:16-19)
Christ rose from the grave because he was the perfect Son of God. He was the only One who could pay the penalty of our sin — and He not just “paid” for it, He “overpaid” for it. Once the debt was settled, the grave could not hold him anymore! Jesus conquered sin and death!
When Jesus died, our sins were forgiven and we didn’t have to die anymore. When Jesus rose from the dead, He gave us His new life — Jesus’ life is in us today and forevermore!