| April 1, 2002 |
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| "Then he took unto him the twelve, and said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again." Luke 18:31-33 The chief priests and the Pharisees were determined that Jesus was going to stay in his grave. They used every resource and power available to see to that. They secured the tomb by placing a seal on the great stone that had been rolled in front of it to close the entrance. They also posted guards at the entrance of the tomb. In spite of all their human efforts, the Jewish leaders were unable to prevent Jesus from accomplishing what had already been determined and promised: "After three days I will rise again" (Matthew 27:63). These carnal-minded, religious leaders did not know that nothing in the physical realm has the ability to hinder the divine will from accomplishing its purpose. They could not stop a real resurrection of Christ Jesus! If you seek Jesus, do not go to His grave. You will not find Him there. Isn't it quite striking that after the disciples were convinced that He had risen they never again visited His tomb? At least there is no record of it. Why would they? It was only a temporary halting place in the experience of our Lord. They did not make pilgrimages to it. They did not esteem it above any other place. They did not bury it beneath tokens of affection. They did not break off pieces of the rock and keep them as relics for seeking souls to look at in hope of meriting divine favor. No, after that first Sunday evening, the disciples were done with the tomb. Why should they give their time to the veneration of places, when they had the living Savior with them? To us, Christ is all and in all. He is alive, and He has power to give life. Not by meat and drink, not by pilgrimages and fastings, but by looking unto Him do we enter into life that death cannot touch. "How Do I Know He Lives?" How do I know that Christ has risen? What proof have I to give? He touched my life one blessed day, And I began to live! How do I know he left the tomb that morning long ago? I met Him just this morning, And my heart is still aglow! How do I know that endless life, He gained for me that day? His life within is proof enough, Of immortality! How do I know that Christ still lives, Rich blessings to impart? He walks with me along the way, And lives within my heart! ~Author Unknown May God richly bless you with a wonderful day as you look heavenward to seek Him! Love in our precious Savior, Sandy |