Historical Posts
It Happens in Three Days
What can happen in three days?
There is a popular saying that goes, “it always happens in threes.” Another saying goes, “the third time’s a charm.” Interestingly, there were several events in the Bible that occurred in three days.
In the Old Testament, both the butler and the baker had a dream of what would happen to them in three days. With God’s help, Joseph told them that the chief butler would get his job back, but the chief baker would be hanged. Three days later, it happened as Joseph said (Genesis 40). Also, Jonah was sent to Nineveh to proclaim God’s word. When he disobeyed, Jonah was swallowed by a great fish. Yes, he was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights (Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40).
In the New Testament, Saul of Tarsus was blinded three days as he was on his way to Damascus (Acts 9:11). Ananias then preached to him. When Jesus was 12 years old, He went to Jerusalem for the Passover. Upon His return, His parents could not find Him. Three days later He was found with the teachers of the law in the temple (Luke 2:41-49).
The most significant event that ever occurred in human history also took place in three days. That is Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Jesus promised to “destroy this temple, and in three days” He would raise it up. He spoke of the temple of His body (John 2:19-21). He taught His disciples that He would suffer, be rejected, be killed, and yet rise again the third day (Mark 8:31). He did exactly as He said; He rose third day (Luke 24:6-7)!
He rose in three days to conquer sin and death and bring salvation to man, reconciling man and God. What will you do in the next three days? Will you accept His offer of salvation and change your life?
Salvation: Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully
Content by Richard Dillon
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John 11:20-27 – I Am the Resurrection and the Life – audio
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Text: John 11:20-27
Introduction
A. Jesus has the power to raise us all from the dead.
B. Here in John 11, Lazarus was sick and later died.
1) Jesus was not there at that exact time.
2) He explained that the Son of God would be glorified through it (John 11:4).
3) That those present would believe (John 11:15).
C. He had a very important discussion with Martha.
1) Like her, we must believe His words.
Body
I. Jesus is the resurrection.
A. Jesus claimed to be the resurrection (John 11:25), and proved it by raising Lazarus (John 11:42-44).
B. Jesus later arose from the grave.
1) Those that came to the tomb learned “He is risen (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:6,9; Luke 24:6; John 20:9)!”
2) The apostles affirmed His resurrection.
i. Paul declared the gospel of which he also received (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
ii. Paul reminded Timothy that Jesus was raised from the dead according to the gospel (2 timothy 2:8).
iii. Paul declared that Christ is risen from the dead, and all shall be made alive in Him (1 Corinthians 15:20-22).
iv. Peter preached the resurrection of Christ, beginning on Pentecost (Acts 2:24,32; 3:15,26; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40). It is through the resurrection of Christ that we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3).
3) God raised up Christ (see iii above), and thus Christ gives life to whom He wills (John 5:21). As He raise up Jesus, so will we be raised (1 Corinthians 6:14; 2 Corinthians 4:14).
C. Jesus said there would be a resurrection of life to those who have done good, and a resurrection of condemnation to those who have done evil (John 5:28-29).
II. Jesus is the life.
A. In Christ, we live (Acts 17:28).
B. In Christ was life (John 1:4).
C. Eternal life is in Christ (1 John 5:11-12).
D. Jesus, whom God raised from the dead, delivers us from the wrath to come (1 Thessalonians 1:10).
III. We must believe in Christ.
A. Jesus said that though we may die, if we believe in Him, we shall live (John 11:25-26).
B. We all must die (Hebrews 9:27).
C. At the last day, Jesus will raise up those who believe in Him unto everlasting life (John 6:39-40,44).
D. Paul taught the Ephesians of God’s exceedingly great power towards the believers of Christ’s resurrection (Ephesians 1:19-20).
E. Our faith and hope are in God, who raised Christ from the dead (1 Peter 1:21).
F. Christ was raised from the dead for our justification (Romans 4:24-25).
G. We must believe Christ in order to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
H. The Spirit of God must dwell in us, in order to receive eternal life (Romans 8:9-11,13; Ephesians 3:16-17). The body is the temple of God, where His Spirit dwells (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19).
Conclusion
A. God raised Christ from the dead, and will raise us up if we believe in Him.
B. Eternal life is in Christ, and if we want to live forever we must be in Christ.
C. We do so by being baptized into Christ, and rise to walk a new life as Christ was raised from the dead (Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3-5, 8-9).
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Corinthians 15:14-20 Thankful for the Murder of Christ – audio
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Text: 1 Corinthians 15:14-20
Introduction
This morning we studied how Stephen accused his listeners of being betrayers and murderers of Jesus Christ. I am very thankful that these things did happen!
Paul taught the Corinthians that Jesus had to die to rise again; if Christ had not risen, we would not have any hope of eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:14-20).
Thus, God gave us a gift that cannot be described (2 Corinthians 9:15).
Body
I. God gave us Jesus Christ.
A. God loved us so much that He gave us His only begotten Son (John 3:16).
B. The gift of Jesus Christ results in our justification from sin (Romans 5:16-18).
C. God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
II. God gave us grace.
A. Grace is God’s gift for salvation, but must be accompanied by faith (Ephesians 2:8).
B. God gives us faith through study of His Word, another precious gift (Romans 10:17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
III. God gives us everything.
A. God gives us every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).
B. It was God’s will to bring us forth by the word of truth (James 1:18). His Son and Word are truth (John 14:6; 17:17).
Conclusion
As Joseph’s brothers intended harm for him but God for good (Genesis 50:20), so did the people harm Christ for evil but God meant it for good. I am thankful that Christ died for my sins and that through Him I can find salvation and everlasting life (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
“Gratitude…goes beyond the ‘mine’ and ‘thine’ and claims the truth that all of life is a pure gift. In the past I always thought of gratitude as a spontaneous response to the awareness of gifts received, but now I realize that gratitude can also be lived as a discipline. The discipline of gratitude is the explicit effort to acknowledge that all I am and have is given to me as a gift of love, a gift to be celebrated with joy.”—Henri J. M. Nouwen
“It is delightfully easy to thank God for the grace we ourselves have received, but it requires great grace to thank God always for the grace given to others.”—James Smith
Content by Richard Dillon
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Resurrection – audio
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One day we’ll all be resurrected.
There’s a sense in which we’ve already been raised, of course. When we identified with Christ in baptism, God raised us from our spiritual graves. We were dead, and now we’re alive. We were lost, and now we’re found. But the resurrection isn’t finished yet.
Sometimes my body aches and my head hurts (“in this we groan,” 2 Corinthians 5:2). I struggle with sin way more than I should. I look around and see a messed-up world. And it all reminds me that there’s a bigger, better resurrection coming.
We’ve been resurrected, but we can’t wait to be resurrected – completely, finally, and irrevocably.
I think that’s what Paul’s talking about here: “if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:11). He’d been saved, of course, but he knew all too well that God was still working on him. He had a clear and future focus – he was excited about what God had done for him, and about what the Lord was still doing in him, but he couldn’t wait for what lay ahead.
Maybe you need that reminder today. You feel like you’re being swallowed up by life’s pressures, demands, and stress. Pause a few minutes and look ahead. The daily grind will still be there, but for now think about that future resurrection from the dead. Jesus promised that he’s coming back to this world to take you where he wants you and where you want to be.
He’s already saved you from all your sins, and he’s given you his Spirit as a down payment. But as with all down payments, the Spirit is just a small taste of what’s coming. He’ll change your body into an incorruptible one . . . a body that doesn’t hurt, moan, groan, or age. He’ll redeem this world from all of its corruption and decay and create a new dwelling place for his people. And he’ll take away every vestige of sin.
We will, by his grace, “attain the resurrection from the dead.”
That’s what gives us a different perspective from the folks around us who don’t know Christ.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Revelation 01:18 He Lives – audio
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Text: Revelation 1:18
I. Christ lived!
A. He was born of a virgin as prophesied and witnessed by the wise men, Simeon, Anna, and others – Matthew 1; Luke 2
B. Jesus grew, and amazed many with His wisdom and understanding – Luke 2:52
C. Jesus was baptized by John to fulfill all righteousness – Matthew 3:15
D. He performed many miracles as multitudes witnessed.
E. He overcame temptation, witnessed by the devil – Matthew 4
F. Jesus taught His disciples, the Jews, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and countless others.
II. Christ died!
A. He was falsely accused and put on trial:
i. They placed a crown of thorns on His head.
ii. He was struck, spat upon and mocked.
iii. He was crucified on a cross.
iv. His side was pierced with a spear.
v. Darkness covered the sky.
vi. The veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
vii. The earth quaked, the rocks were split, and graves were opened.
B. Witnessing these events, the centurion and guards confessed “truly this was the Son of God.” – Matthew 27:54
C. Joseph of Arimathea:
i. Wrapped the body of Jesus.
ii. Lay His body in the tomb.
iii. Rolled the large stone to guard the entrance.
III. Christ arose!
A. The tomb was empty!
i. The stone was rolled away.
ii. The linen clothes and handkerchief were neatly folded separately.
B. An angel declared,
i. “He is risen”
ii. “why do you seek the living among the dead?”
C. He appeared to:
i. Mary
ii. The apostles
iii. Some on the road to Emmaus
iv. Saul of Tarsus
v. Over 500 at one time!
IV. Christ lives forevermore!
A. Romans 6:3-5, 8-11
B. 1 Corinthians 15:1-26, 54-57
C. 2 Timothy 1:10
D. Acts 2:22-24
V. Because of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection, we can live forever!
A. Eternal life is in Christ alone – John 11:25-27; 1 John 5:10-13 John 10:10
B. To be in Christ, one must be baptized into Christ – Galatians 3:27
C. All spiritual blessings are in Christ – Ephesians 1:3
D. Just as Christ died, was buried, and rose again, we must die to sin, be buried with Christ, and be raised to walk a new life – Romans 6:1-5
E. Man must die except Christ should come first, but then what? – Hebrews 9:27
Content by Richard Dillon
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1 Peter 1:3-5 Living Hope – audio
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Text: 1 Peter 1:3-5
Introduction
1. In our study of Peter’s epistle so far, we have noticed
a. That as far as the world is concerned, Christians are but pilgrims
b. But as far as God is concerned, we are His elect
2. As the elect (Chosen) of God, we are the recipients of many blessings that God offers to all who will obey and follow Christ
a. One of these blessings is described in 1 Peter 1:3-5
b. There we learn that God has caused us to be born again unto a living hope
3. An understanding of this living hope can help Christians who are pilgrims be more joyful during their sojourn in this life
4. Therefore, in this lesson we shall examine what Peter says about the Christian hope that makes it a living hope
Body
I. BECAUSE GOD IS MERCIFUL!
A. THE BASIS FOR OUR HOPE LIES NOT IN OUR OWN PERFECTION OR RIGHTEOUSNESS
1. It is a good thing that it does not, for all are sinners in God’s sight – Romans 3:23
2. Even as Christians we find ourselves guilty before God – 1 John 1:8, 10
B. THE BASIS FOR OUR HOPE LIES IN THE ABUNDANCE OF GOD’S MERCY
1. Mercy bestowed while we were yet sinners – Romans 5:6, 8
2. Mercy bestowed upon the conditions of faith, repentance, and baptism – Acts 2:36-38
3. Mercy bestowed continually upon Christians as they repent of and confess their sins – 1 John 1:9
II. BECAUSE JESUS IS ALIVE!
A. THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS IS CRUCIAL TO OUR HOPE
1. If Christ is not risen, then the apostles were liars, and our faith is vain! – 1 Corinthians 15:14-15
2. If Christ is not risen, we are still held guilty for our sins, no forgiveness has occurred – 1 Corinthians 15:17
3. If Christ is not risen, those who have died as Christians have perished, they are lost – 1 Corinthians 15:18
4. If Christ has not risen, then we do not have a living hope, instead we are to be pitied by others! – 1 Corinthians 15:19
B. BUT THROUGH JESUS’ RESURRECTION, WE HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN TO A LIVING HOPE
1. Peter may have reference not just to the process of conversion, but to the renewed hope produced by the resurrection of Jesus
a. After Jesus’ death and prior to His resurrection, the disciples were despondent
b. But after the resurrection of Jesus, His disciples were born again in regards to their hope
2. Surely the fact that Jesus did rise gives us reason for a living hope
a. God would not raise a liar, so anything Jesus said about our hope is true – John 11:25
b. Since Jesus rose from the dead, we have a firm hope that we too will one day rise from the dead – 1 Corinthians 15:20-23
c. By the abundant mercy of God, and upon the basis of Jesus’ own resurrection, then, we have been born again to a living hope!
III. BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF OUR INHERITANCE!
A. THE DEGREE OF HOPE WE HAVE IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE INHERITANCE WE HAVE
1. If our inheritance is a good one, our hope is strong, or living
2. If our inheritance is a poor one, then our hope is weak, or dead
B. AS DESCRIBED BY PETER, OUR INHERITANCE
1. IS INCORRUPTIBLE
a. The Greek word means not liable to corruption or decay, imperishable
b. Unlike this present heavens and earth in which now live, and which will one day be destroyed – 2 Peter 3:10-13
2. IS UNDEFILED
a. The Greek word means not defiled, unsoiled
b. It is unlike the earthly Canaan, which could be and was defiled by its inhabitants
c. Our hope pertains to that where the defiled are not allowed to enter – Revelation 21:27
3. DOES NOT FADE AWAY
a. The Greek word means unfading, perennial
b. Such is our heavenly reward: it will not rust, fade, or wither like so many things do here on earth
4. IT IS RESERVED IN HEAVEN
a. The word means to watch, to observe, to guard, protect, to reserve, set aside
b. Therefore, our inheritance is safely guarded in heaven itself!
c. No one, not even Satan himself, can steal it from you!
C. Since this is the nature of our inheritance upon which our hope rests, we can see why our hope is described as a living hope.
IV. BECAUSE WE ARE SAFELY GUARDED!
A. CHRISTIANS ARE KEPT FOR THE SALVATION READY TO BE REVEALED IN THE LAST TIME
1. The word kept is a military term
2. It means to guard, protect by a military guard, either to prevent hostile invasion, or to keep the inhabitants of a besieged city from flight
3. While our inheritance is being kept guarded in heaven under the watchful eye of God, we are being garrisoned about by God’s protecting care for it.
B. NOTE THAT BEING KEPT INVOLVES TWO THINGS
1. First, THE POWER OF GOD!
a. We have the help of God Himself, who knows how to help those in temptation
b. He knows how to deliver them out of temptation – 2 Peter 2:9
c. He knows how to enable them to bear with the temptation – 1 Corinthians 10:13
d. He supplies the armor necessary to withstand in the evil day – Ephesians 6:10-13
2. Also, OUR FAITH!
a. To be safely guarded by God’s protective care requires faith on our part
b. The only way we can ever lose our inheritance reserved in heaven is to become unfaithful to the Lord! – Revelation 2:10
c. While the Bible teaches the security of the believer
1) It also teaches that a believer can become an unbeliever – Hebrews 3:12-13
2) And it teaches that unbelievers have no hope – Hebrews 3:14-4:3
d. As long as we remain faithful, then, we have the assurance of God’s protective care to guide us until we receive that inheritance reserved in heaven for us!
Conclusion
1. In this passage (1 Peter 1:3-5), then, are four reasons why the hope of the Christian is called a living hope:
a. Because God is merciful!
b. Because Jesus is alive!
c. Because of the nature of our inheritance!
d. Because we are safely guarded!
2. A living hope can be a source of great joy in the lives of Christians; it certainly was to the original recipients of Peter’s epistle: In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials. – 1 Peter 1:6
3. Do you have this living hope?
a. You do if you have received God’s mercy offered in Christ, and are remaining faithful to the Lord
b. If you have not received this mercy, or have neglected it through unfaithfulness, why not come to the Lord according to His conditions found in His Holy Word? – Acts 2:38; 1 John 1:9
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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He is Alive!
In my work as a gospel preacher I have been called upon to conduct many funerals. I have tried to keep accurate records for each individual including date of birth, date of death, and place of burial. Without a great deal of difficulty, I believe I could locate every grave. Why? Because they are all still dead, and I know where they are buried.
But, what about Jesus?
John’s record says that there was a garden at the place where He was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb. It was there that Joseph and Nicodemus placed the body of Christ. Can the place be identified with certainty today? Is the body of Jesus still there? What would we find if we visited the tomb?
The exact location of Christ’s tomb is unknown.
There were no markers or monuments. Even if we visited the precise tomb where the body of Jesus was placed, we would discover it empty. Mary Magdalene had just such an experience. Going to the tomb early Sunday morning, on the third day after His execution, she found the stone rolled away and the tomb empty. She burst out in tears because she thought others had stolen his body (John 20:13). But grave robbers had not taken Him away. Neither His enemies nor His disciples had anything to gain by stealing the body. There must be another explanation.
What happened that morning? He arose!
Jesus, who had been dead, was alive again. He had conquered death. He had beat the devil. He had triumphed over sin. He would never die again!
There can be no other explanation.
Only the resurrection satisfies the facts. Our Savior is alive. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation” (John 5:28-29 KVJ).
Resurrection is assured.
But, will it be a resurrection to eternal life or death? That is the question we face each day. The answer is found in our response to Jesus.
Thank God, He is alive!
–Roger
Content by Roger Rush
Visit Roger at the 6th and Washington Street Church of Christ in Marietta OH.
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One Day – audio
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Text: 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
One day we’ll all be resurrected.
There’s a sense in which we’ve already been raised, of course. When we identified with Christ in baptism, God raised us from our spiritual graves.
We were dead, and now we’re alive. We were lost, and now we’re found – Luke 15:32
But the resurrection isn’t finished yet.
Sometimes my body aches and my head hurts (“in this we groan,”) – 2 Corinthians 5:2
I struggle with sin way more than I should.
I look around and see a messed-up world.
And it all reminds me that there’s a bigger, better resurrection coming.
We’ve been resurrected, but we can’t wait to be resurrected – completely, finally, and irrevocably.
I think that’s what Paul’s talking about here: “that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead” – Philippians 3:11
He’d been saved, of course, but he knew all too well that God was still working on him. He had a clear future focus—he was excited about what God had done for him, and about what the Lord was still doing in him, but he couldn’t wait for what lay ahead.
Maybe you need that reminder today.
You feel like you’re being swallowed up by life’s pressures, demands, and stress.
Pause a few minutes and look ahead. The daily grind will still be there, but for now think about that future resurrection from the dead.
Jesus promised that he’s coming back to this world to take you where he wants you and where you want to be.
He’s already saved you from all your sins, and he’s given you his Spirit as a down payment.
But as with all down payments, the Spirit is just a small taste of what’s coming.
He’ll change your body into an incorruptible one . . . a body that doesn’t hurt, moan, groan, or age.
He’ll redeem this world from all of its corruption and decay and create a new dwelling place for his people.
And he’ll take away every vestige of sin.
We will, by his grace, “attain the resurrection from the dead.”
That’s what gives us a different perspective from the folks around us who don’t know Christ.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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Luke 24:01-24 The Resurrection of Christ
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Text: Luke 24:1-24.
Introduction
- On March 4, the Discovery Channel aired a documentary entitled “The Lost Tomb of Jesus.”
- This film was directed by Simcha Jacobovici and produced by James Cameron.
- This documentary focuses on a tomb that was discovered in 1980 near Jerusalem.
- The thrust of the documentary is that this tomb could contain the remains of Jesus of Nazareth.
- Tonight, we will discuss the arguments set forth by the documentary and see if they are valid.
- This morning we are going to discuss the Biblical account of what happened to Jesus after His death.
Body
-
Why is it such a big deal?
-
If Jesus did not rise from the dead then He was either a liar or a lunatic.
- Matthew 16:21
- John 14:1-4
- John 16:7
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The resurrection fulfills prophecy.
- Genesis 3:14-15
- Daniel 7:13-14.
- If Jesus hadn’t risen from the dead, Satan would win.
- 1 Corinthians 15:17.
- Without the resurrection, Jesus is not the Son of God. Romans 1:1-4
-
-
The reality of the resurrection.
- When proving the resurrection is a reality to one who does not believe, we must go to the historical evidence and there is an abundance of it.
-
There are several facts that are granted by both believer and infidel.
- Both grant that a man named Jesus lived.
- Both grant that he rose to great heights of prominence, particularly among the common people.
- Both grant that he suffered the crucifixi0n of the Roman Cross, and was thought to be dead when he was taken from the cross.
- Both grant that his body was buried in the new tomb of Joseph of Arimathaea.
- Both grant that a great stone was laid at the mouth of the tomb.
- Both grant that the seal of the Roman Governor was affixed thereto.
- Both grant that a Roman guard consisting from fifteen to sixty men was stationed about the tomb.
- Both grant that sometime after the third morning the body of Jesus disappeared.
- Both grant that his disciples came to believe with unshakable confidence that their Lord had been raised from the tomb by the power of God.
-
A battle rages over what happened to the body of Christ.
-
Some say that Jesus never really died.
- Imagine the torture he had been through on the cross.
- Then he would have to move the stone.
- Then he would have to get by 15 to 60 guards in this weakened condition.
- Furthermore, the Roman soldiers were confident that he was dead. John 19:31,37
- It was against Roman law to remove a body from the cross until the death of the person was obvious and certain.
-
Some say the body was removed by Jesus’ enemies.
- No motive!
- Jesus body was right where they wanted it to be. Matthew 27:62-66
- They claimed the disciples stole it. Matthew 28:11-15
- They could have produced Christ’s body and destroyed Christianity forever.
-
Some say the disciples moved the body.
- This is what the Roman guards said.
- How did they know the disciples took it if they were asleep.
- They should have been put to death under Roman Law but they were not.
- Maybe one guard could have fell asleep but all 15-60?
- Why would the apostles be willing to die for a cause that they knew to be a lie?
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Some believe that Jesus was raised by the power of God.
- This is the only other alternative.
- The body of Christ was raised by the power of God.
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In regard to options 2 & 3…
- These two arguments are especially relevant to the Lost Tomb of Jesus documentary.
- If Jesus had a family tomb in Jerusalem, it would have been known.
- Christianity would have failed right out of the starting blocks.
- But it didn’t.
- This is perhaps the most devastating argument against the whole Jesus family tomb theory.
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The Resurrection Requires a Response.
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One might respond by unbelief.
- Like the Sadducees. Matthew 22:23.
- They didn’t believe in the general resurrection or the resurrection of Christ.
- Many still believe this despite the evidence.
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One might be converted.
-
Conclusion
- The resurrection of Christ truly is the crowning miracle of Christianity!
- Once one sees that the resurrection is a reality, all other miracles must be accepted.
- The resurrection was also required.
- The resurrection also requires a response. How will you respond?
- Offer Invitation.
(Delivered on: March 11, 2007. Streetsboro)
Content by Ralph Price
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Seven Powerful Words – Mark 16:1-8
Text: Mark 16:1-8
The seven most powerful words ever spoken didn’t come from the mouth of Jesus.
In fact, they come from someone whose name we don’t even know.
Mark tells the account:
Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.
Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
So they went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. (Mark 16:1-8).
On the way to the tomb early Sunday morning the women remembered a potential obstacle: they had no way to get inside the tomb to anoint Jesus’ body. Perhaps in their grief they just hadn’t planned everything well.
But they soon realized they had no reason to worry. The tomb was no longer sealed.
At this point things started happening really quickly:
- They saw a young man.
- He said something.
- They ran in horror.
At some point in their flight, when their fear subsided, they recalled the young man’s words. What he said was confirmed by what they remember seeing in the tomb:
- Nothing.
- There was no body.
“He has risen. He is not here.”
Seven words that changed the world.
Seven words that changed me, and you, and millions of others.
They became the triumphant cry of the early Christians. In fact, read through a few sermons in Acts, and you might be amazed to see that this simple message was what they preached.
The tomb was empty.
The cross was significant, of course, but crucifixions were relatively common in that world. In one sense, Jesus died the same way thousands of others did.
But one thing was different. Incredibly, remarkably, gloriously different.
All the other crucifixion victims stayed in their graves.
Jesus didn’t stay in the grave, and that makes all the difference.
Sometime, when you get discouraged and wonder if the difficulties of faith are really worth it, think back to the empty tomb.
What it says is that this world isn’t all there is. The same power that raised him will raise you.
A day is coming when everyone will hear his voice
Followers of Jesus will be raised to live with him as God always intended.
Seven words, one powerful message: My tomb will one day be empty too.
He has risen; he is not here.
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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How Much Things Change – John 11:25
Text: John 11:25
It’s amazing how much one thing changes everything.
It happens in life – a job, a marriage, a baby – and suddenly your world is never the same.
It also happens in areas that matter even more.
The apostles were sometimes so spiritually blind.
At least it seems that way to us.
They once tried to prevent Jesus from going to Jerusalem to die . . . for their sins, and ours.
How could they?
Why would they think of calling down fire from heaven on a village of people who wouldn’t listen to them?
How could they leave Jesus alone on the night before he died?
The truth is, they weren’t any different from us.
They were no less spiritual or mature, no more shallow or superficial.
But they could only see a portion of the picture that was yet to be completed.
As Mark finishes describing the Lord’s transfiguration, he gives us a clue:
Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant. (Mark 9:9-10).
That’s an interesting phrase, isn’t it?
… what the rising from the dead meant.
They had no idea, not really.
Not having the advantage that we have of reading the completed Bible, they struggled.
Why does he talk about dying? What’s this about a cross? And a resurrection?
Then they went to an empty tomb on a Sunday morning
And it changed them.
Forever.
Peter denied Jesus on the eve of the crucifixion but later gave his life for his faith.
His good friend James ran from the soldiers in Gethsemane but a few years later lost his head to an axe when he wouldn’t stop preaching about Jesus.
In fact, all the apostles except John were executed because of Je
Content by Donald W. Treadway
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