Tag: He is risen!
He is Risen!
Scripture reading for April 6th: Luke 24
On the Sunday after the crucifixion and burial of Jesus on Friday, the women who were close to Jesus went to the tomb to anoint His body with spices. On arrival, they found the stone rolled away. When they entered, they did not find a body there. As they were pondering what might have happened, two men in shining clothes appeared to them and stood beside them. “. . .the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you, while He was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.'” “Then they remembered His words.” (Luke 24:5-7)
At least five women were at the tomb that Sunday morning and found it empty! They went and reported to the apostles, but were met with skepticism. The men who had witnessed the crucifixion and death of Jesus thought that the women were speaking nonsense! Peter did run to the tomb to check out their report and pondered what he found there–the stone rolled away and grave-clothes but no body!
Jesus appeared later that same day to two disciples who were walking on a road about seven miles outside of Jerusalem. They rushed back to Jerusalem and were telling the other apostles about their encounter when Jesus appeared saying, “Peace be with you.” “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at My hands and My feet. It is I Myself! Touch Me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.” (Luke 24:36-39) Understanding the mystery of the resurrection was difficult even for those close to Him!
He is risen!
Scripture reading for April 28th: Luke 23:44-24:12
What a shock it must have been to those disciples to see Jesus actually crucified and then dead! Even though Jesus had told them that this would happen, the reality of it had to be painful and heart-rending. Added to this grief for their beloved Master, was the fact that each of them had denied Him in His hour of need. They had followed Him willingly and had learned so much, but this last day was something that none of them had courage to deal with. Their lack of prayer had led to failure during temptation! (Luke 22:46)
A member of the Sanhedrin, Joseph, who had not been in agreement with their actions, went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. He took it and wrapped it in linen cloths and laid it in a new tomb right before sundown. The women went home and prepared spices for the body, but because of the Sabbath did not get to put them on Jesus’ body. (Luke 23:50-56)
After the Sabbath was over, early on the first day of the week, the women took their spices and went to the garden tomb to anoint the body for proper burial. On arrival, they found the stone rolled away and they entered and looked around. “While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still with you in Galilee: “The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”” (Luke 24:5-8)
Jesus rose from the grave! He was declared the Son of God with power through resurrection from the dead! (Romans 1:4) No other religion or person can claim this truth! Jesus not only rose, but announced it before hand to confirm His claim to be the Son of God. Can you put your faith in Jesus Christ today? This act of believing can change you eternal destiny and how you live each day of the rest of your life! Jesus is alive and calling you and me to follow Him in resurrection life!
Preach Good News to all!
Scripture reading for March 12th: Mark 16:1-20, Psalms 55:1-23, Proverbs 11:7
Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, just as He said He would. Death could not hold Him and He showed Himself alive to the women, the disciples, and others. The eleven remaining disciples had a hard time believing the reports of those who had seen Him. “Later Jesus appeared to the eleven as they were eating; He rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.” (Mark 16:14) These men should have been expecting the resurrection because Jesus had repeatedly told them about the crucifixion and coming resurrection. To whom much is given, much is required. A rebuke is a sign of love to those who can be corrected by it. (Proverbs 13:1) (Revelation 3:19)
Jesus had final instructions for these disciples. They were not to sit around feeling sorry for themselves and thinking of the good old days when Jesus was with them. They must now go into all the world with the good news of Jesus Christ and preach to every creature. Some would believe and be baptized unto salvation and others would refuse the good news and be eternally condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Those who believed had Jesus’ promise to confirm the good news with signs that would follow them and the preaching of the Gospel. They would drive out demonic forces as they spoke in His name. They would lay hands on the sick and see people healed in His name. If they were poisoned or ran into satanic opposition, God promised to protect them. Jesus would give them support.
Jesus was then taken up into heaven and seated at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19) Acts records that Jesus was taken up into heaven on a cloud and would return the same way as He left. (Acts 1:9-11) Jesus had told the high priest and elders that they would see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Might One and coming on clouds of heaven. (Mark 14:62) From that position of power and authority, Jesus prays for us and watches over us as we preach the Gospel to every creature. This is His plan to reach the entire world! When this command is fulfilled, Jesus will come again on the clouds for His Bride, the church! What exciting days we live in!