He has risen, just as He said!

The empty tomb reminds us of the Resurrection Power of Christ. Before Jesus’ arrest, the Jews questioned Him about driving the merchant from the temple, “The Jews then responded to him, “What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?” (John 2:18). Jesus gave a prophetic and symbolic reply, “Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” They replied, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?” But the temple he had spoken of was his body. After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken” (John 2:19‭-‬22). The disciples were traumatized by the arrest and subsequent death of Jesus. Their Master in whom they trusted had been killed. What is their fate? They fled from the Garden of Gethsemane and few others followed from afar. Since Jesus died on the eve of the Sabbath day and the eve of the Passover (John 19:14), there was barely enough time for the followers to attend to His body. However, scripture records that with permission from Pilate, Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in about seventy-five pounds worth of burial spices in accordance with Jewish custom (see John 19:39‭-‬40). But neither the swords and the nails of the Roman soldiers nor the seventy-five pounds load of spices could lay the Saviour down. The burial clothes could not tie him either for on the third day, He arose triumphantly and in glory. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. (Matthew 28:6) Mary Magdalene and the other Mary visited the tomb on the third day but to their surprise, the tomb was empty. Jesus was not there nor were the soldiers who were planted to keep watch. Out of awe, the soldiers fled to the city when they saw the power of the Resurrection. The women met an angel at the tomb who told them, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you.” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples” (Matthew 28:5‭-‬8). Yes death could not hold Him He is risen, just as He said Let us proclaim it on the mountain Shout it loud until all hear That our Saviour is alive. Happy Easter and may we experience the resurrected Christ in His fullest. Shalom.

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