(“Easter”)
April 24, 2011
The seven days of “Holy Week” ended on the Sabbath with Jesus’ body in the tomb. Because the Sabbath was about to begin, he was lovingly but hastily buried in the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. A huge stone was placed over the entrance to guarantee the disciples could not steal the body, as authorities feared.
The women who had followed Jesus from Galilee went with Joseph and saw the tomb and how Jesus’ body was placed in it. Then they went back home and prepared the spices and perfumes for the body. On the Sabbath they rested, as the Law commanded. Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, they came to the tomb, worried about the entrance being blocked by the stone. But when they arrived, they found the stone rolled away. Inside, there was no body; instead there were angels announcing, “He is not here! He is risen!”
Over the next 40 days Jesus made eleven appearances, and at the end of his last appearance, he ascended to Heaven to be with His Father. There He intercedes for us today.
An article in the newspaper, “The Houston Chronicle,” reported last year that a recent poll revealed that fewer than half of the people mentioned Jesus’ death and resurrection when asked about the meaning of Easter.
The type of Biblical interpretation that could be found only among liberal scholars for centuries is making its way into mainstream America through popular television documentaries which purport to have discovered new materials revealing Jesus was just another human philosopher like many others. In truth, this is old stuff being recycled for a new generation. It’s simply not true. If you want to know how important and vital the resurrection is, then read 1 Corinthians 15.
Jesus is the eternal Son of the Living God, our one and only Savior who gave His life for us on the Cross and rose triumphantly from the grave. He lives today to save all who will come to Him in faith. Do you believe?