RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

 

RESURRECTION SUNDAY! Easter is the most important holiday for Christians, because we worship a Savior who lives and continues to make Himself known to those who believe in Him.

 

WAS JESUS IN THE TOMB?

 

PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT The story of Holy Week is far more rich and complex than this Easter series can tell, because each and every event that happened was a fulfillment of specific prophecies. These events were predicted in astonishing detail hundreds of years earlier, and each prophecy was fulfilled with precision. Not one messianic prophecy was left unfulfilled, except for those that predict end times and the triumphant return of Christ. WAS JESUS IN THE TOMB?  The body of Jesus lay in the tomb, but scripture tells us that the spirit of Christ was busy during that time. LUKE 23:43 Jesus said to the thief on the cross, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” The Bible refers to places such as Hell, Sheol, Hades, the Grave, the Lake of Fire, as well as Paradise and Heaven. The reason why there's confusion in understanding all this, is because the Greek and Hebrew words were not translated consistently. In addition, they were translated differently in the Old Testament than in the New Testament. So, the short version is this: • Hell, Hades, and Sheol are all the same place, and it is a temporary place of punishment and torment. • Gehenna, or the Lake of Fire, is a permanent place of punishment. • Paradise was a temporary place of blessing, and scholars think it was located in a special section of Sheol. In the New Testament it was also referred to in one of Jesus’s parables as “the bosom of Abraham.” When Jesus died on the cross, he went down to Paradise to be with the blessed souls who were sort of stuck there, and then he took all those faithful, God-fearing people to Heaven with him! The ancient, traditional term for this event was "the Harrowing of Hell" when Christ broke the chains of death itself, bound Satan and set the prisoners free. Ephesians 4:8-10 When He ascended on high, He led captives away, and gave gifts to men.” So, what does “He ascended” mean, except that He also descended to the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is the very One who ascended above all the heavens, in order to fulfill all things. Thus, Jesus took “captivity captive” and Paradise was emptied when Jesus died for us. Paradise is no longer needed. When we die, we will go directly to Heaven to be with Jesus.   SUNDAY’S A COMIN’! It’s Friday... Jesus is praying, Peter is asleep. Judas is betraying... but Sunday’s a Comin’. It’s Friday... Pilate is struggling, the Sanhedrin is conspiring, the crowd is vilified... they don’t even know that... Sunday’s a Comin’. It’s Friday... The disciples are running in every direction like sheep without a shepherd, Mary’s crying, Peter’s denying but they don’t know... that Sunday’s a Comin’. It’s Friday... the Romans beat my Jesus, they robe him in scarlet, they crown him with thorns, but they don’t know, Sunday’s a Comin’! See Jesus walking to Calvary, his blood dripping, his body’s stumbling, and his spirit’s burdened, but see it’s only Friday; Sunday’s a Comin! It’s Friday... The world’s winning, people are sinning and evil’s grinning... it’s Friday The soldiers nail my Savior’s hands to the cross... They nail my Savior’s feet to the cross... Then they raise him up next to criminals... it’s Friday, but let me tell you something... Sunday’s a Comin’! It’s Friday... The disciples are questioning, “What has happened to our King?” and the Pharisees are celebrating that their scheming has been achieved... but they don’t know...it’s only Friday. Sunday’s a Comin’! It’s Friday... He’s hanging on the cross, feeling forsaken by his Father, left alone and doubting, can nobody save him? Oh... it’s Friday... but... Sunday’s a Comin’! It’s Friday... The temple veil ripped from top to bottom – the earth shook – the rocks split and tombs opened. The centurion screamed in fear ‘Truly He was the Son of God!’ Sunday’s a Coming! It’s Friday... the Earth Trembles, the sky grows dark, my King yields his spirit... it’s Friday... hope is lost... death has won, sin has conquered... and Satan’s just a laughin’ It’s Friday... Jesus is buried, a soldier stands guard, and a rock is rolled into place... but it’s Friday...it is only Friday... Sunday is a Comin! People are saying ‘As things have been, so they shall always be. You can’t change anything in this world’ ... but Sunday’s a Comin’! It’s Friday... Satan’s doing a little jig saying ‘I control the whole world’ ... but Sunday’s a Comin’! By Pastor S. M. Lockridge, 1913-2000

 

JESUS IS PLACED IN A TOMB

 

JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA The Story of Easter, Continued. MATTHEW 27:57 When evening had come, the disciples watched over the body of Jesus while a rich man from Arimathaea, named Joseph, went to Pilate, and asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up for burial. PLACED IN A NEW TOMB As the sun set on Friday, the disciples laid the body of Jesus in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathea. THE PIETA The prophet Simeon had predicted to the young mother Mary with her infant son 33 years earlier: LUKE 2:34-35 “Behold, this Child is appointed to cause the rise and fall of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed— and a sword will pierce your soul as well.” I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR MY SHEEP JOHN 10:14 Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again." THE CITY IS DISTURBED As the sun set, the Passover Sabbath had begun, and all was quiet. But the city of Jerusalem was disturbed by the things that had happened this day. SOLDIERS GUARD THE TOMB  The Jewish leaders demanded that Pilate set a guard around the tomb, because Jesus had predicted he would rise from the dead, and they didn't want the disciples of Jesus to stage a fake resurrection. So the tomb was sealed and Roman guards stood around it. The Story of Easter Continues Tomorrow.

 

IT IS FINISHED

 

IT IS FINISHED Easter Story continued Matthew 27:45 Now from the sixth hour (noon) there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? That is, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Matthew 27:50 Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. 51 At that moment, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. There was a very great earthquake, and the rocks were split. ROMAN CENTURIAN Matthew 27:54 Now the centurion, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things that were done, feared exceedingly, saying, "Truly this was the Son of God." VEIL IN THE TEMPLE TORN Matthew 27: 51 Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. Jesus was the final blood offering: never again would an animal sacrifice be needed or required. This is why the veil in the Jewish Temple was torn in two: there would be no more separation between God and mankind. Those who want the salvation that Jesus offers are welcome to approach the throne of Grace, and receive Mercy. SPIRITS IN THE CITY Matthew 27:52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; 53 and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. THE WOUND IN HIS SIDE JOHN 19:31-34 In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath, the Jews asked Pilate to have the legs broken and the bodies removed. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man who had been crucified with Jesus, and those of the other. But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. Instead, one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out. PEOPLE LEAVE GOLGOTHA IN DISTRESS LUKE 23:48 And all the crowds that had assembled for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, returned home beating their breasts. Easter Story continues tomorrow.

 

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED

 

JESUS CHRIST CRUCIFIED Easter Story Continued Matthew 27:45 - Jesus was nailed to the cross by 9 am. At noon, darkness came over all the land. SOLDIERS CAST LOTS FOR HIS ROBE John 19:23-24 - Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, Let's not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be. And so the Scripture was fulfilled, which says, They parted my garments among them. For my cloak they cast lots. Therefore the soldiers did these things. KING OF THE JEWS  Luke 23:32 - Two other men, who were criminals, were also put to death with Jesus. 33 And when they came to the place that is called The Skull, there they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. 34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” John 19:19 - Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross. It read, "Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews." 21 So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, "Do not write, *The King of the Jews*, but rather, *This man said, I am King of the Jews.*" 22 Pilate answered, "What I have written I have written." YOU WILL BE WITH ME IN PARADISE Luke 23:39-43 - One of the criminals who hung there heaped abuse on Him. “Are You not the Christ?” he said. “Save Yourself and us!” But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same judgment? We are punished justly, for we are receiving what our actions deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” And Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” BEHOLD YOUR MOTHER John 19:25-27 - Near the cross of Jesus stood His mother and her sister, as well as Mary the wife of Clopas and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple John (whom He loved) standing nearby, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” Then He said to John, “Here is your mother.” So from that hour, John took Mary into his home.

 

JESUS AND PONTIUS PILATE

 

JESUS AND PONTIUS PILATE Early Friday morning, the Jewish Council sent Jesus over to Pilate because they needed approval from the Roman governor to execute anyone. Pilate didn't believe what the Jewish priests were saying. He found no fault in Jesus. Furthermore, his wife warned him not to have anything to do with this good man, because of the terrible dreams she had during the night. HEROD So Pilate sent Jesus over to King Herod hoping he could placate the Jews; but Herod made sport of the situation. His soldiers mocked and tormented Jesus, and put a crown of thorns on his head. Then Herod sent Jesus back to Pilate. BARABBAS Mark 15:6-15 Now it was Pilate’s custom at the feast to release to the people a prisoner of their choosing. And a man named Barabbas was imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder during the insurrection. So the crowd went up and began asking Pilate to keep his custom. “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” Pilate asked. For he knew it was only out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have him release Barabbas to them instead. So Pilate asked them again, “What then do you want me to do with the One you call the King of the Jews?” And they shouted back, “Crucify Him!” “Why?” asked Pilate. “What evil has He done?” But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify Him!” And wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. HIS BLOOD BE ON US Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “You shall bear the responsibility.” 25 All the people answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” JESUS CARRIES HIS CROSS Then Pilate had Jesus scourged and turned over to the soldiers to crucify him. By this time Jesus was so weak, he couldn't carry the cross; so the soldiers grabbed a bystander to do it for him.