Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection

In the hymn “Christ Arose”, Robert Lowry expresses the hope conveyed during this Easter season in the rousing chorus as it explodes with joy:

Up from the grave He arose,

With a mighty triumph o’er His foes;

He arose a Victor from the dark domain,

  And He lives forever with His saints to reign,

  He arose!  He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Our Lord Jesus left the confines of this earth and stepped into the heavenly realm on Resurrection Sunday, three days after dying on a wooden cross for humanity’s sins on Mount Calvary.  This is precisely why Christians celebrate the Easter Season. 

We know from Scripture that Jesus made several appearances after His resurrection, but what significance does this event hold for you and me today? 

John Chapter 20 records Jesus’ resurrection on the first day of the week, that being Sunday. Mary Magdalene had come to the tomb early, while it was still cloaked in darkness.  She saw that the stone in front of the tomb had been rolled away.  Upon hearing her report, Peter and John ran to the tomb and discovered “the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself” (vs. 7).  After they departed, Mary stood outside weeping, peering inside the tomb.  She conversed with two angels and explained that someone had taken away the body [of her Lord] and turning, she saw a man she perceived to be the gardener.  Jesus lovingly and compassionately spoke to her, “Mary!”  He assured her that He was; “ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.” 

In Luke 24:13-32, we have the account of Christ appearing on the road to Emmaus.  Two followers of Jesus were traveling and conversing about all of the events of the past few days concerning Jesus of Nazareth.  Unbeknown to them, Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.  They told Him all of the hopes and dreams of many in Jerusalem who thought the prophet would accomplish in order to redeem their beloved Israel.  They even mentioned it had been three days since it happened, and that certain women had discovered His tomb empty.  Then in verses 25-26 Jesus said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!  Ought not the Christ to have suffered these things and to enter into His glory?”

Later, in Luke 24:33-48, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of His disciples as they gathered in Jerusalem to pray saying, “Peace to you.”  He showed them that He is flesh, not spirit, and proceeded to instruct them about His fulfilling what was written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Himself.  Even those who doubted His appearing finally proclaimed who He was.  Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!”   

Now turn to John chapter 21.  Jesus appears to seven of the disciples after a long night of fishing.  They caught nothing.  But in the morning, Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”  After an answer of “No”, He then said, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”   The disciples dragged the net, full of large fish to the shore, and after eating breakfast they knew it was Him, though they were afraid to question Him.  Then in chapter 21:15-23 we witness the personal conversation between Jesus and Peter.  Jesus is tenderly restoring Peter to Himself by asking Peter three times if he loved Him.  Jesus tells him, “Feed My lambs”, “Tend My sheep”, and “Feed My sheep”.   Jesus is preparing Peter for the work ahead as leader of the church after He has departed.   Then He tells Peter to set his sight on Him and “Follow Me.”  Peter asks about the other disciple, and Jesus tells him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?  You follow Me.” 

So what do we glean from the Lord’s visitations to His followers after He was raised?  How do we apply those same lessons and revelations to our lives?  We discover that we experience the very same things as did the earliest disciples.   Jesus is still:
  
Giving a gentle touch and reassurance, as He did with Mary at the tomb;

Expounding truth and wisdom to us, like He did on the road to Emmaus 
Stilling fear and uneasiness, as He did for the disciples in the upper room;

Blessing and bestowing a commission to us, as He did for his followers;

Providing for and encouraging His children, as He did for His disciples; 
Restoring and leading you and me, as He did for one of His dearest disciples.

Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection gives us reason for celebration as we rejoice in the Lamb’s blood, marvel at the Father’s acceptance, and glory in our eternal salvation secured by Heaven’s cherished and earth’s gift from above…

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. 

http://www.godmissionpossible.com/

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Christ's Death, Burial and Resurrection