Jesus Rose from the Dead
Day 25
by Gini Crawford, MSW
Dead and buried for us
Our entire Christian faith hangs on the truth that Jesus Christ not only died for our sins, but that He rose from the dead.
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures... 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 ESV®
A missionary nurse told me this: A teenager got sick and died. The people of that tribe were gathered to bury the boy when all of sudden he sat up. The people were shocked but rejoiced. Was the boy resurrected? No! The tribe didn't understand the medical condition of death. The nurse said, "Now that she was there this scenario wouldn't happen again, because she knew how to tell if someone was dead or not."
Did Jesus really rise from the dead, or did people just think He was dead? The Romans, the Jewish leaders, and His disciples, foe and friend alike of Jesus, recognized He was dead. Here is some proof:
In Mark 15:43-45, the Centurion who was in charge of Jesus' crucifixion, who knew how to torture and then kill by crucifixion, told Pilate that Jesus was dead. A soldier who had done many crucifixions thought Jesus was dead but made double sure by piercing Jesus' heart and stomach area. The blood and water that flowed from Jesus has several physiological explanations, but it is a sign of death (John 19:31-35).
Jesus was buried as Jewish custom dictates. Joseph and Nicodemus (John 3:1-2) were Jewish leaders that didn't want Jesus crucified. They asked Pilate for His body which Pilate gave to them after he heard from the Centurion that Jesus was dead. Joseph and others took Jesus' body down from the cross, which wasn't an easy task since Jesus was nailed to the cross and had gone through a lot of physical torture. In other words, Jesus' body was a lifeless bloody mess. Then they took His body to a tomb and prepared it for burial by wrapping linen cloths around Him. They put spices between the wrappings which formed a tight shell around the body. (Matthew 27:57-60; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-55; John 19:39).
...so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath...the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who had been crucified with him. But when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water....For these things took place that the Scripture might be fulfilled: "Not one of his bones will be broken." And again another Scripture says, "They will look on him whom they have pierced." After these things Joseph of Arimathea...asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus, and Pilate gave him permission. So he came and took away his body. Nicodemus also... So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19:30-42 ESV®
Try to imagine how it would have been for Joseph and Nicodemus to have taken Jesus' dead body from the cross, then take it to a tomb for burial. What emotions do you think they would have had? Did they believe He would rise from the dead? How would you have felt?
The power to rise from the dead
Death couldn't hold Jesus! (Acts 2:24). His physical body (not a ghost) rose from the dead as He said He would (Luke 24:36-43). Jesus' resurrection proved He is God, not just a man with good intentions. It makes sense that the triune God would have the power and authority to control life and death - consequently He rose from the dead (John 1:1-4, 2:18-22, 10:17-18). Without Jesus' resurrection there would be no victory over sin and death, no life from His death and no hope for heaven. Jesus' resurrection proved all His promises to us are true and guaranteed (1 Peter 1:3-4).
... and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord / ...and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:17 ESV®
To consider: What if Jesus hadn't risen from the dead?
Life Application
Resurrection power
...and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead... Ephesians 1:19-20 ESV®
The power that raised Jesus Christ, is the power at work for us and in us, who believe in Jesus. Jesus' death and resurrection give us His Spirit, the Holy Spirit – Who is the power that lives within us. When you feel hopeless; or your finances have seen better days and your health too; or the grief from a death is drowning you; or a sin has made you a captive - remember, remember there is hope to overcome because the power of the resurrection is within you. Read John 14:16-20, 25-27; Acts 1:1-8.
Romans chapter six talks about how we are united with Jesus' death, so we are certainly united with His resurrection. His resurrection gives us an assured bodily resurrection but also a spiritual resurrection – giving us the power to walk in newness of life for God. As Christians we are united with Jesus' death – making us liberated-separated-freed from sin. Yet, there is a dilemma - death to sin is separation from sin's power but not the extinction of sin. So as Christians, we can still struggle with sin. The question is, can you really have victory over sin? Yes, with Jesus! Keep seeking Jesus and He will most definitely empower you to throw off sin and do what your new self should be doing. Read Romans 6:4-13, 20-23; Colossians 3:1-14. God knew I needed the power of the resurrection to forgive when I have every right to hate, to not be envious, to trust Him when my health brings trials and I could go on. Share some thoughts on how the power of the resurrection allows you to live for God.
Jesus' death and resurrection bring life and healing, provides comfort, strength and victory in life's trials, gives peace even in death and provides you a heavenly body to live with God. Go wholeheartedly to Jesus. Pour out your heart freely to Him knowing that of course, He will provide what is best for you, for He rose from the died for you. Read Job 19:25-27; Isaiah 53:3-8; Philippians 4:4-9, 11-13. Have you ever ask Jesus to help you deal with something and felt His strength helping you? I sure have.
Reflect on Ephesians 1:19-20.