Introduction
Death has always been the point of no return for humanity. When one is sick, so long as there is breath or a pulse, we would go to every length to bring healing. We only stop every effort as soon as there is no breath.
Humanity and Death
A long time ago, a man named Job asked the big question, that sooner or later every human being has to face, "If a man dies, will he live again?" (Job 14:14). Jesus' resurrection answers this long-standing question of life after death.
After Jesus' death on the cross, in that shameful and painful way. His death was so inhumane as His body was mutilated, he lost a high amount of body fluid, got into shocks, and had a cardiac arrest. No one expected a comeback from this end of life even when we so much believe in His words.
It is not surprising to see all the disciples and followers taking their minds off His proclamations of rising up after three days.
Christ in the Belly of Earth
It has always been assumed that Jesus was buried on Friday which is not biblically correct. Now note what Jesus says, "For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40 (ESV)
In this case, Jesus would be buried for "three days and three nights". Counting from Friday-night, Saturday; Saturday-night, and Sunday would mean that Jesus was two nights and two days in the heart of the earth.
Historically, there is what the Jews called the "high Sabbath" which is usually on a Thursday. "Since it was the day of Preparation, and so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away." John 19:31 (ESV)
Therefore, Jesus was actually crucified on a Thursday. In calculation, He was buried on Thursday-night, Friday; Friday-night, Saturday; Saturday-night, and Sunday when He rose from death. This makes the statement, "the Son of Man [would] be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" absolutely correct.
The Resurrection of Christ means; He conquered the grave and set us free! He tore the veil in the holies of holies to reconnect humanity back to the Father, God Almighty.
Rising with the Lord
In my previous teaching, we looked at dying with the Lord. [https://www.osofoahenkan.com/2023/04/dying-with-lord.html] After dying with the Lord, we ought to rise with Him. Apostle Paul admonishes that, "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin." Romans 6:6-7 (ESV) As we have died with the Lord, we rise with Him in freedom from sin.
This, in essence, is that we are no longer enslaved to sin. We have gained the ability, strength, and power to say no to sinful addictions. "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions." Romans 6:12 (ESV)
Christ is risen, and for the world to know that He is indeed risen, you and I must prove it by living a victorious Christian life worthy of the new life in Christ Jesus.
Christ is Risen Indeed
Some people argue that what is the proof of His resurrection that Christians hold so dear. In the first century, there were no camera phones, social media, newspapers, television, radio, etc. to report 360 news. What brings us to touch with what went on has been the testimony of eyewitnesses.
What Peter and the other disciples saw has been reported enough for us. When they were informed of the open tomb and the absence of Jesus' body (John 20:1-2), they run to the place. "So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying there, and the face cloth, which had been on Jesus' head, not lying with the linen cloths but folded up in a place by itself." John 20:3-7 (ESV)
On this note, Peter gives his account of Christ's life, "He [Jesus] went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him." Acts 10:38 (ESV). Eye witness report from Peter says, "And we are witnesses of all that he did both in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him on the third day and made him to appear, not to all the people but to us who had been chosen by God as witnesses, who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead." Acts 10:39-41 (ESV).
We can boldly say today that Christ is risen indeed. We do not have the death certificate of Jesus or an autopsy report from any accredited health institution but we are certain that Jesus has risen indeed.
Beloved in Christ Jesus, the Hebrew writer narrates to us the unaccepted sacrifices to God, "Sacrifices and offerings you [God] have not desired...in burnt offerings and sin offerings you [God] have taken no pleasure" Hebrews 10:5-6 (ESV) But Christ came to completely offer what can expatiate and propitiate the sins of humanity, "‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’” Hebrews 10:7 (ESV).
Conclusion
Propagandists have sought to make nonsense out of the risen Christ right from then to today, they gave a sufficient sum of money to the soldiers and said, “Tell people, His disciples came by night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”" Matthew 28:12-14 (ESV).
Nothing could stop Him from rising as He said because God was with Him. Christ's resurrection brings to us God's justification and removal of guilts, "And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10 (ESV)
Shalom aleichem...
I die with you Lord and I rise with you Lord
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