Years before Jesus’ execution, Peter rightly identified him as the Christ, but was baffled when he then spoke about dying.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:31)

In Jesus, the Old Testament figures of the glorious Christ and of the suffering Servant of the Lord come together. In Ps 2, the Christ (Anointed) overcomes an international plot and then rules the earth. In Isa 53, willing to give his life as a guilt offering, the Servant lives again, great and strong. This is Jesus’ Easter: sin-bearing death and life-giving resurrection.

This is the genius of Jesus Christ; understanding this leads to life. And it isn’t complex. In fact, if you know his name you know enough: Jesus means “God Rescues” and Christ means “God’s Ruler”. All that remains is to respond with faith and gratitude.