Death and Resurrection

HE IS RISEN!!
Which event is the most important, (1) the death or (2) the resurrection of Jesus the Messiah?Of course there would be no resurrection of Jesus had He not been crucified… but He was crucified.

But what if, after Jesus was crucified, dead and buried, He had not resurrected from the grave? There would be no salvation.. There would be no proof that Jesus is indeed God in the flesh and that is Satan’s message. We see such a lie has been touted by “liberal” theologians from the time shortly after Jesus was put to death by the Roman court.

• Matthew 28:1-8
  “In the end of the Sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers [guards] did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, He goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see Him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring His disciples word.”
• Luke 24:6-7
  “He is not here, but is risen: remember how He spake unto you when He was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

“Great Joy” would be an understatement!! Imagine their circumstances, the Person they trusted, worshipped and followed had just been humiliated, crucified, had died and was buried. They come to the tomb expecting to complete their mourning. Then they see the tomb empty and hear the words, “He is not here: for He is risen.” HE IS RISEN! Imagine the JOY!

• Then in Matthew 28:11-14
  “…some of the watch [soldiers, guards of the tomb] came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole Him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him, and secure you [keep you out of trouble].”

This is amazing. The soldier guards knew Jesus had arisen from the tomb even though it was tightly sealed and this happened while they were guarding the tomb. A Roman guard who failed in his duty was liable for the death penalty thus they would move heaven and earth to see their duty was completed. So here we see the origin of the lie, perpetuated even until today, from those who deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For centuries books and expose’s have been written trying to disprove the Resurrection… all to no avail. HE IS RISEN!!

Often, religion tends to dwell on the suffering and crucifixion of Jesus to the neglect of the resurrection. YES, the horrible crucifixion of Christ is a vital part of the Gospel of our Salvation.. But religions too often ignore or de-emphasize the fact — HE IS RISEN!

By His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the Messianic promise outlined in the Old Testament.

The Gospel (Good News) is not good news without the Resurrection of Jesus. Jesus is alive but Mohammed is dead, Buddha is dead, Confucius, Mary Baker Eddy, Joseph Smith, etc are all dead. Every religious leader throughout history has died. The only One to rise under His own power is Jesus the promised Messiah.

The following has been called “The Gospel in a Nutshell”:

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-6
  “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, ….. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once….”

Witness after witness after witness: this is evidence of His resurrection.

Salvation by God’s Grace is understanding that we are imperfect. God calls this sin. Our sin requires a death penalty.. But God with love beyond infinity, loved us so much that He sent Jesus Christ to make that death penalty for the whole world, to the Jew first and then the Gentile, that all who would believe or trust in Jesus would have everlasting life in Heaven with Him. Jesus came and fulfilled the law and paid the death penalty we humans owe. He did that and arose from the grave just as He predicted. Now the responsibility is upon us. Do we trust Jesus alone as our Savior, our complete Savior, apart from our good works? If we do trust Jesus alone, we HAVE everlasting life, guaranteed.

• John 3:16-18
  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.
  He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Dear friend, at this time of year when we celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus, perhaps you do not know for sure you have eternal life in Christ. If you are not sure, please trust or rely upon Jesus alone as your Savior to deliver you to Heaven, to give you eternal life. It is not by an organization, church or your good works, simply Jesus. I pray you will make this decision as it is the most important one you will make during your entire life on this earth.

I pray you will!!

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