Thoughts from the Bible Belt-He’s Alive-Easter Edition
Restored from the Empower Network archive (2011–2017), lightly edited to meet our current advertising standards. Views are the original author’s.
The Easter edition of Thoughts from the Bible Belt
Prophecy concerning the crucifixion of Jesus for the sins of man
Isaiah 53:5-6 (NIV) But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Crucifixion of Jesus for the sins of man…. HE took our sins, He gave up His spirit. Those who saw what happened (even though they were not people of faith) realized that He was the Son of God!
Matthew 27: 50-54 (NIV)
50 And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split 52 and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
54 When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
The Tomb of Jesus was Secured by the word of Pilate- By a seal that would have meant death for someone to “break it”
Matthew 27:65 (NIV)
65 “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66 So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.
Jesus Has Risen
Matthew 28:1-8
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 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.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
I am humbled to know that Jesus loves me (and you) so much that He was willing to be crucified and die such a terrible death to save me (and you) from sin! He accepted separation from His Father until He rose again! Don’t let his gift be for nought in your life! He died for our sins and there is nothing we can do to earn salvation, BUT we can accept His gift and believe that He is the Son of God and that He died for us and that He rose from the grave, beating death! And now He lives again, in heaven…… interceding on behalf of you and I to the Father!
Check out other posts in my Thoughts from the Bible Belt series
Thoughts From the Bible Belt-Matthew 25:35-41 Edition
Thoughts from the Bible Belt-Luke 8:9-18