Contributed by Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain
It was normal practice for the Romans to crucify criminals. It was normal for them to die, be buried, placed in a tomb, or the ground. Jesus died, was buried, BUT defied death. He arose on the third day. Matthew 28:1-7 tells us the story.
“In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulcher. 2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: 4 and for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. 5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. 6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead;
The resurrection of Jesus was a supernatural event. It had never happened before and will never happen again. The angel tells the women to “Fear not.” That is what Jesus tells us.
The angel says “Go” and they went in obedience. Their obedience was rewarded by seeing the resurrected Jesus. What great joy and excitement. The Resurrection Changes Everything 1 Corinthians 15:3-6, 17-18)
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.”
“17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”
Bottom line, no resurrection, no salvation.
All the different parts of the story had to take place. The virgin birth, preaching and teaching, the miracles, Jesus death, shedding His blood for our sins, his burial, and then the triumphal resurrection, His being seen by His disciples and many others, and His visible ascension back to His Father in heaven. And He did it all for you and me. We did not deserve it. We were not worthy. We could not pay for it.
He did it because He loved us. John 3:16 tells us, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Would you like to know more about what God has done for you and how you can become a believer in Christ?
Please contact me.
Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain,
chaplain@alaskaseniors.com