By Sharon Bennett
April 1, 2018

Easter is a holiday that has been celebrated by followers of Christ, or Christians for centuries. It encompasses the final journey of Jesus Christ on earth, with emphasis placed on His crucifixion and death on the cross, His resting in the tomb on Sabbath and His resurrection from death on Sunday.  The historical biblical account of these fascinating events are referenced in the four gospel books of Matthew 27:27-28:8, Mark 15:16-16:19, Luke 23:26-24:35 and John 19:16-20:30.

As you follow the script rendering of the events leading up to the Easter Resurrection, the life of Jesus was filled with actionable service to others.  He lived an engaging life surrounded by family, friends, associates and enemies.  He mastered the beatitudes and was a living example of how to treat others in a world filled with diversity.  It is recorded, that due to His love, concern and compassion for others, His life is the most referenced and studied in the world.

The recorded account of Jesus’ crucifixion is heart-wrenching.  When Jesus died on the cross and was placed in the tomb, it appeared that His life was for naught.  His disciples and other followers were disheartened and confused.  His killers felt somewhat victorious because they erroneously thought, they had destroyed any political and religious competition to their frail kingdom.

Had the world changed as a result of the death of Jesus? What was the lesson learned? Who would benefit from His Death?  His mission had been partially accomplished because He had victoriously lived a life without sin.  But now what?  If He remained in the tomb there would be absolutely no truth to His rendering of heaven and what the rendering truly meant.

But the last act of love shown to the inhabitants of earth, was one that could never and will never be duplicated or replicated.  When God gave instructions to the heavenly angel to “go get” His Son, a POWER that no human being can comprehend or imagine, took control, broke through every scientific barrier and performed the most significant detail of Easter.  The corpse of Jesus Christ was raised from the dead!  He stood up!  His burial clothes were neatly folded and he Walked out of that tomb!

What’s so significant about that?  God proved to the entire universe, that He has power over the awful chains of death.  Death no longer had a sting.  Death was finally conquered! That was the final proof, that everything Jesus had lived for and taught up to that point, was true.  He was and still is, the Son of the Living God!  This miraculous death-to-life account, was solidified with documented testimonies from many who saw Jesus after His resurrection.  (See Below: 1 Corinthian 15:3-8)  

So what does all of this mean?  It simply means that there is HOPE!  It means that the path to heaven is a sure one.  We can have faith to believe that the biblical account of heaven and eternal life is real.

One day, all of our earthly troubles will be over.  One day, we will never cry another tear.  One day, we will be free of sickness and death FOREVER!

We have this hope in Christ Jesus, that one day, all of our loved ones who have fallen asleep in Jesus, will experience a literal resurrection to eternal life.  We will be together again FOREVER, throughout the ceaseless ages of eternity.  It doesn’t get any better than that.  Thank you Jesus!  (See Below: 1 Corinthians 15: 51-54)

 

Biblical References

1 Corinthians 15:3–8
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵ And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:

After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. ⁷ After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸ And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.

I Corinthians 15:51-54
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

1 Corinthians 15:55-56
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

Biblical References
All Biblical References are from the King James Version