The Resurrection
(by Charles Stanley)
Matthew 28:1-10
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The apostles’ dreams were shattered. The man they had loved and followed for three years, the one they believed was the Son of God, was dead. But then the two Marys disrupted their hopelessness with incredible news: Christ had risen from the dead, just as He’d promised!
As believers, we can certainly imagine the excitement Jesus’ disciples must have felt. For them, the resurrection’s message was encouraging. The empty tomb proved that everything Jesus said was true. In Matthew 17:22-23, the Lord told His disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” If Jesus could make and live out this claim, then He’s clearly sufficient to keep all of His promises.
In John 3:17, Christ said He had not come to condemn the world. He came to save all who believed in Him (Mark 16:16; Romans 8:1). Through His death on the cross, Jesus purchased our salvation. The empty tomb is our guarantee that we’re eternally secure in Him. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and is seated at God’s right hand. The Father accepted His payment on our behalf.
Christ’s death bought our freedom from sin and secured us a place with Him in Paradise. In John 14:2, He says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places ... I go to prepare a place for you.”
That’s a promise to celebrate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen!
blessings :)
Matthew 28:1-10
1 After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."
The apostles’ dreams were shattered. The man they had loved and followed for three years, the one they believed was the Son of God, was dead. But then the two Marys disrupted their hopelessness with incredible news: Christ had risen from the dead, just as He’d promised!
As believers, we can certainly imagine the excitement Jesus’ disciples must have felt. For them, the resurrection’s message was encouraging. The empty tomb proved that everything Jesus said was true. In Matthew 17:22-23, the Lord told His disciples, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men; and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” If Jesus could make and live out this claim, then He’s clearly sufficient to keep all of His promises.
In John 3:17, Christ said He had not come to condemn the world. He came to save all who believed in Him (Mark 16:16; Romans 8:1). Through His death on the cross, Jesus purchased our salvation. The empty tomb is our guarantee that we’re eternally secure in Him. Jesus rose from the dead, ascended to Heaven, and is seated at God’s right hand. The Father accepted His payment on our behalf.
Christ’s death bought our freedom from sin and secured us a place with Him in Paradise. In John 14:2, He says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places ... I go to prepare a place for you.”
That’s a promise to celebrate.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amen!
blessings :)
posted by Our God Reigns | 4/04/2007 03:43:00 PM
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