Archive for the ‘Easter encouragement’ Category

 Here are some lesser known trivia concerning the burial and resurrection of Jesus:

Pilate’s wife suffered many things in a dream:

 ¹⁹When he [Pilate]was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

The Jews pronounce judgment on themselves.

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he could not prevail at all, but rather that a tumult was rising, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this just Person.^[You see to it.”   ²⁵And all the people answered, Let His blood be on us and on our children!”

Bystanders blasphemed Jesus when he was suffering on the cross.

 And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads ⁴⁰ and saying, “You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save Yourself! 

Darkness covered the entire earth, not just the land of Israel.

⁴⁴ Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the land and earth until the ninth hour. ⁴⁵ Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. 

Two earthquakes occurred, one during the crucifixion, and one when the stone was rolled away.

⁵¹ Then, behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth quaked, and the rocks were split,

¹ 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. ² 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.

Graves were opened and many bodies of the saints were raised from the dead.

² and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; ⁵³ and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Seen by over 500 people after the resurrection.

⁵ and that He was seen by Peter, then by the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles.

Was on the earth 40 days before he ascended into heaven.

To whom he presented himself alive after his suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3). 

I hope you all had a blessed Easter, and thank you for visiting my website, and special thanks to those of you who keep coming back.  I really appreciate it.  I hope this website becomes a blessing and a learning center to all of those who have a heart for God.

Isaiah 60:1-3

 ¹Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.

 ²For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.

 ³And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Here the bells ringing, their singing that we can be born-again.  He has risen.  Death and hell are conquered.  Did you go to the garden?  Now, sing a new song, for the old has past and the new is here.  Here the bells ringing, their singing that you can be born-again.  Born to a new life, and a new hope.

I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me. And the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

⁹Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. 10And she went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.11And they, when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, believed not. 

12After that, He appeared in another form unto two of them as they walked and went into the country.13And they went and told it unto the rest, but neither did they believe them.14Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat; and He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not those who had seen Him after He was risen.

15And He said unto them, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 

17And these signs shall follow them that believe: In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;18they shall take up serpents, and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

 19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God 20And they went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the Word with signs following. ²⁵And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen

   

Reflections are made between the crucifixion and the resurrection.  Christ’s followers made them.  Thomas refused to believe unless he could see the risen savior.  Others reflected on the fond memories that had of their teacher.

What are you reflecting on during this period of time?  Perhaps you think that Jesus isn’t the only way to heaven.  Well, if that is true, it sure was a cruel, sadistic joke that God played on his only son.  All the wasted time of his 30 years growing up from a baby to adulthood.

 ¹Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed?

 ²For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.

 ³He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

 ⁴Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.

 ⁵But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

 ⁶All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

 ⁷He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. (Isaiah 53:1-7)

 Reflect on this–who else could be a perfect sacrifice?  If you believe you are saved by good works, then you believe you are the perfect sacrifice.  Do you really think you are good enough  to stand in the presence of God on your own merit?   

Jesus suffered and died to give you heaven, so you would not have to go to hell.  Hell was created for the devil and his angels, not for you.  Reflect on the lyrics of a song that I used to sing:

Think what it means to be lost forever,

No one to guide you along death’s cold river.

Darkness, crying, none to deliver.

Think what it means to be lost.

Christ paid the ransom for you,

you must accept his grace.

If you reject the Savior,

A judgment you must bear.

Think what it means to be lost forever,

No one to guide you along death’s cold river.

Darkness, crying, none to deliver.

Think what it means to be lost.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” (I Corinthians 2:9)

Let this Easter be a new beginning for you!!  Remember, Jesus is just one prayer away.  Click on the category “How to Find Jesus,” and let this Easter be a new beginning for you.

³⁹ He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

If we were to paraphrase this verse, Jesus is asking

“Father God, is there no other way?”

“No, son, you can’t save yourself and the world both.  You will have to choose.”

“Okay, I choose to save the world.  Let all be done according to your will.”

The final sacrifice–absolute surrender, not partial surrender.  As you come to the garden today, what do you need to bring?  What are you hanging onto that needs to be surrendered?   Bring it to the garden.  You can’t experience the joy of the risen life unless you are willing to partake in the suffering in the garden.  Bring it all to the garden–the garden of total surrender, and this Easter season, experience the joy of the resurrection in ways you never knew were possible.