In one of his most talked-about teachings, Pastor Chris explores why the death of Jesus wasn’t just tragic — it was powerful, deliberate, and divine.
Pastor Chris Oyakhilome reveals why Jesus’s death was not just tragic, but triumphant and world-changing.
The subject of death usually brings silence, sorrow, and uncertainty. But when Pastor Chris teaches about the death of Jesus, the tone shifts completely. In his recent sermon during the Jesus Alive Conference, Pastor Chris delivered a message that stirred both curiosity and deep reflection. He laid out a bold claim: Jesus wasn’t just a man who died. He was the Son of God, and His death was nothing short of supernatural.
Across cultures and religions, many acknowledge that Jesus lived. Some say He was a wise man, a prophet, a reformer. But Pastor insists that calling Jesus anything less than divine is to miss the truth entirely.
“His death was not a defeat. It was a decision,” Pastor Chris said as he walked his audience through Scripture after Scripture.
Let’s take a closer look at what Chris Oyakhilome teaches about the death of Jesus — and why it still matters today.
A Birth Like No Other
Pastor Chris explains that the story doesn’t begin with the cross. It begins long before, with a birth that was anything but ordinary.
According to the Bible, Jesus was born of a virgin. That alone sets Him apart from every other religious figure.
“His birth wasn’t orchestrated by human planning. It was divine,” he said. “He came into the world without sin, without corruption. That’s key to understanding who He is.”
In this view, the miraculous birth sets the stage for everything that follows. It confirms the claim that Jesus came from God, not from man. For Pastor Chris, this is the first signal that Jesus wasn’t just destined to live an unusual life, but also to die an extraordinary death.
Pastor Chris Explains: A Life of Signs and Wonders
From turning water into wine to raising the dead, Jesus lived a life that constantly challenged the natural order.
Oyakhilome often quotes from the Gospel of John, chapter 21, verse 25:
“There are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books…”
That isn’t an exaggeration. It’s evidence.
“The miracles weren’t just to impress people,” he said. “They were signs — signs that pointed to who He really was. He healed the sick, walked on water, multiplied food, but still, many didn’t understand Him.”
In his view, all those miracles weren’t enough for the world to accept Jesus as God. But the moment of His death — and what happened around it — would leave even a Roman soldier stunned.
The Dead Silence of the Cross
Perhaps the most unforgettable part of Oyakhilome’s message is his breakdown of the crucifixion.
He explains that while Jesus hung on the cross, something cosmic took place. Darkness covered the land for three hours — not symbolic darkness, but actual, visible darkness.
Then came the cry: “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Pastor Chris emphasizes the weight of that moment.
“Jesus wasn’t just suffering physically,” he said. “He was carrying the weight of the world’s sin. The Father turned away. Not because He didn’t love His Son, but because sin had to be judged.”
According to Chris Oyakhilome, this is what makes Jesus’s death different from any other death in history. It was more than pain. It was a sacrifice.
A Death Unlike Any Other
Most people die when their body gives up. But Pastor Chris points to the moment Jesus says, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit.”
And then, He gives up the ghost.
“He didn’t just die; He chose to die. That’s the difference.”
This is where his teaching becomes controversial for some and revolutionary for others. Pastor Chris cites John 10:18, where Jesus says:
“No man takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again.”
In this view, Jesus was in full control of the moment of His death. It wasn’t the Roman nails or the soldiers’ cruelty that ended His life. It was His own decision — a divine surrender.
Reactions at the Cross
Even those who participated in the crucifixion were shaken by what they saw. According to the Gospels, a Roman centurion, after witnessing the events of that day, declared: “Truly, this was the Son of God.”
For Chris Oyakhilome, this reaction is significant.
“When even your executioner is forced to admit your identity, that tells you something powerful happened.”
The moment Jesus died, there was an earthquake. Rocks split open. And in the temple, the curtain that separated the Holy of Holies from the rest of the sanctuary was torn — from top to bottom.
That curtain symbolized the separation between God and man. Its tearing, Pastor Chris explains, symbolized that through Jesus’s death, access to God had been made open to all.
The Meaning Behind the Message
While Oyakhilome’s teaching about the death of Jesus is filled with references to the miraculous, it’s not just about spectacle. It’s about meaning.
“People need to understand,” he said, “Jesus didn’t die for Himself. He died for us.”
Pastor Chris often points out that this is not just theology — it’s personal. If Jesus really died to take away sin, then it changes how people relate to God, to guilt, and to death itself.
“Death used to be the final chapter,” he says. “But because of Jesus, it became a doorway. For Him, and for everyone who believes in Him.”
Not Just Dead — But Risen
Though the teaching focuses on Jesus’s death, it doesn’t stop there. He connects the cross to the resurrection.
