Some aspects of Christ’s resurrection to consider are…
- the sealed tomb that should have prevented the event from happening (Sunday)
- what was done about the frightened soldiers’ report (Monday)
- an earthquake that caused other graves to be opened and dead saints being raised and going to preach in Jerusalem (Tuesday)
- the many disciples who saw Jesus alive after His death (Wednesday)
- why we call Christ “the first fruits” of those raised from the dead (Thursday)
One can barely grasp the love of Jesus, who died for saints and sinners alike. All are given a chance to accept His salvation because of the enormous price He paid for our sins at Calvary.
But the next part of the story involves His unusual burial and resurrection. This event causes us to be amazed at the power of God to accomplish such a victory over death.
A sealed Tomb
The chief priests and Pharisees thought they had done everything possible to prevent Jesus from escaping the tomb where He lay after His horrific crucifixion. They were aware of the predictions He made about rising from the grave on the third day, and they intentionally took steps to prevent that from happening…or so they thought.
Sealing the tomb and having Roman soldiers guard it for a few days did not seem like excessive measures and were readily agreed to by the Roman authorities when approached about the situation. These precautions seemed appropriate and adequate…or so they thought.
In reality, their precautionary steps only made the resurrection appear more miraculous for those who witnessed or heard the story of the risen Master Healer. He who had healed so many was now seen more clearly as the “resurrection and the life” (John 11:25).
Memory Text: “When I saw him, I fell down at his feet like a dead man. He put his right hand on me and said, ‘Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the One who lives; I was dead, but look, I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys to death and to the place of the dead’ “ Revelation 1:17, 18 NCV