THROUGH THE BIBLE IN THREE YEARS
Let us praise God for EASTER!
We commemorate the resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The devil could not defeat Him!
Death could not hold him!
He is RISEN!
And, He is RETURNING!
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________SCRIPTURE_____________________________________________________
Matthew 28:1-6
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
KJV
John 20:2-7
2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him.
3 Peter therefore went forth, and that other disciple, and came to the sepulchre.
4 So they ran both together: and the other disciple did outrun Peter, and came first to the sepulchre.
5 And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in.
6 Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie,
7 And the napkin, that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself.
KJV
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_______THOUGHT_________________________________________________________
Both Mark and Luke tell us that the reason these women came was to anoint the body of Jesus with spices.
(See Mark 16:1, and Luke 24:1)
When Jesus died, it was Passover evening.
There had not been time (Friday evening) to properly complete His body with the spices consistent with that day's embalming method.
The description of this messenger, is very enlightening.
His clothing, or covering, was "white as snow."
And his "countenance", or appearance was as "lightning!"
This was an awesome messenger from God, and had the power to whisk back the stone easily!
When this angel appeared, the guards set at the tomb fainted with fear!
But, when the ladies appeared, this angel spoke comfortingly to them, "Fear not!"
Isn't it amazing, how God, with the same action, can strike fear in the hearts of unbelievers, and also give comfort to His children?
The angel invited them to come and look at the proof that Jesus was not there.
The graveclothes in which He had been laid were left behind.
They saw the same thing that Peter saw later (See John 20:2-7).
The graveclothes were lying where Jesus had been.
But the "napkin", which had been wound around Jesus' head was carefully folded and placed by itself.
Now there's a story about that.
In those days, when well-to-do people were eating, the servants were watching.
If the "master" got up and left the table, they looked at his napkin.
If it were crumpled, he was not returning -- he was through eating.
But, if the napkin were FOLDED, it meant the master was not through; he was RETURNING!
Jesus is RISEN!
He has defeated death and the grave!
And He's COMING BACK!!
He ALREADY appeared to His disciples that followed Him then;
and He WILL APPEAR to all those who follow Him now!
Love ya,
Bruce