Jesus Resurrected

Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid. Mark 15:42-47.

At the eve of the Sabbath, the Lord concluded his plan of salvation. The Lord rested on the Saturday after his work of creation and He would rest on the Saturday after his work of redemption. This fact is evident, since Jesus died long before a person would normally die on a cross.

To ensure that He really was dead the soldiers pierced his side with a spear. Water and blood came out of this wound but unlike the thieves and according to prophecy, no bone was broken.

Later we will see about Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, two men of the council that while they secretly followed Jesus, they did what the poor disciples were unable to do.

The servant of the Lord describes this Saturday as a sad day. The disciples were without their teacher. They were without the one who always spoke words of consolation, the one who had helped them grow spiritually, and the son of God with which they were together with daily. Like any separation caused by death, sadness abounded in their hearts.

With the death of Christ the hopes of His disciples perished. They looked upon His closed eyelids and drooping head, His hair matted with blood, His pierced hands and feet, and their anguish was indescribable. Until the last they had not believed that He would die; they could hardly believe that He was really dead. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they did not recall His words foretelling this very scene. Nothing that He had said now gave them comfort. They saw only the cross and its bleeding Victim. The future seemed dark with despair. Their faith in Jesus had perished; but never had they loved their Lord as now. Never before had they so felt His worth, and their need of His presence. *1

The disciples missed the presence of the one whom they loved. They were disconsolate despite the words of hope that Jesus had given them.
The atmosphere at the temple was also somber. The sick came to Jesus for healing of body and soul but He was now gone.

The friendly hands of Jesus of Nazareth, that never refused to touch with healing the loathsome leper, were folded on His breast. The lips that had answered his petition with the comforting words, "I will; be thou clean" (Matt. 8:3), were now silent. *1

The sufferers who had come to be healed by the Saviour sank under their disappointment. The streets were filled with mourning. The sick were dying for want of the healing touch of Jesus. Physicians were consulted in vain; there was no skill like that of Him who lay in Joseph's tomb. *1

The leaders and principalities all remembered the words of Jesus. They feared that the disciples would steal Jesus’ body and then should say that He had risen.

On the next day, which followed the Day of Preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise.’ Therefore command that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest His disciples come by night and steal Him away, and say to the people, ‘He has risen from the dead.’ So the last deception will be worse than the first.” Pilate said to them, “You have a guard; go your way, make it as secure as you know how.” So they went and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone and setting the guard. Matthew 27:62-66.

The rulers of darkness, the spiritual forces of evil were also there trying to prevent the resurrection of Jesus. Humanity would have been doomed forever if the Lord had not broken the chains of death.

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door^, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men. But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:1-6.

The most powerful angel from heaven descended and rolled away the stone. The One who gave His life could also take it back.

Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. John 10:17.

Just as an earthquake announced His death, an also earthquake announced His resurrection. On the final day when He comes with power and great glory, when He comes with all the angels of heaven, what will become of this earth if even the powers of heaven will be shaken?

Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:54.

Christ arose from the dead as the first fruits of those that slept…His resurrection is the type and pledge of the resurrection of all the righteous dead. "For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him." 1 Thess. 4:14.*2

To the believer, death is but a small matter. Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment. "If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death," "he shall never taste of death." To the Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and "when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." John 8:51, 52; Col. 3:4. *2

The voice that cried from the cross, "It is finished," was heard among the dead. It pierced the walls of sepulchers, and summoned the sleepers to arise. Thus will it be when the voice of Christ shall be heard from heaven. That voice will penetrate the graves and unbar the tombs, and the dead in Christ shall arise. At the Saviour's resurrection a few graves were opened, but at His second coming all the precious dead shall hear His voice, and shall come forth to glorious, immortal life. The same power that raised Christ from the dead will raise His church, and glorify it with Him, above all principalities, above all powers, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in the world to come. * 2

JESUS IS COMING, AMEN, YES, COME LORD JESUS!

1 * The Desire Of Ages, "80. Joseph’s Tomb", Ellen G. White
2 * The Desire Of Ages, "81. The Lord Is Risen”, Ellen G. White