When did Jesus rise from the dead?
Sometimes we seem to get the idea that Jesus was in the holding cell of the tomb for the weekend.
And then He got sprung on Easter.
But … Jesus actually left His Body at the moment He called out in a loud voice, “Father, into Your Hands I commit My Spirit.”
Luke 23:46
Where did He go?
We don’t know exactly. It seems from the follow up accounts that some things about His Body were the same.
He could be touched. He ate. He talked. But apparently he could move place to place effortlessly and instantly.
He may have looked different, since even His closet friends did not instantly recognize Him. And He had the ability to be visible or invisible to physical eyes.
So Jesus could have been anywhere in those days when many think He was laid out in a tomb.
He said to the repentant thief, “This day you will be with Me in Paradise.” Jesus was going to be in Paradise that very day.
Luke 23:43
When the women arrived at the tomb on Easter morning they found the stone rolled away and Jesus’ Body missing.
Again, some have told the story like Jesus rolled the stone away and escaped. But the stone was rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so the women could get in!
He was, in fact, not there and likely never was there. His Body had been placed there, but that is all.
Two men dressed in clothes that radiated light were there and said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!”
Luke 24:5-6
And they reminded them that Jesus had told them exactly what was going to happen.
Then they remembered His Words.
How could they have forgotten?!?
Jesus told His Followers what would happen three times and hinted at it even more. So there should have been no surprise.
He told them ahead of time where He was and would be.
“You are in Me and I am in you.”
John 14:20
He even assured them they would see Him, even when the world did not.
“The world will not see Me anymore, but you will see Me. Because I live, you also will live.”
John 14:19
So why were they not already celebrating in Joy that their Friend and Savior was not dead, but already alive and so close that He was in them?
They had looked at the world around them and had temporarily become the world, caught up in traditions mixed in with doubt and fear.
And when that happened, like the world, they could not see Jesus.
Do you doubt? Is Good Friday really good to you or is it the beginning of waiting for the sunrise service and Hallelujah Chorus on Sunday?
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We don’t have to wait for Jesus’ “Second Coming” to see Him and know Him. One day every eye will see Him, but to those who believe, He will reveal Himself now.
You don’t have to wait another moment to see Him. He is here now. He is knocking from within you. Your heartbeat assures you every second He is there, giving you Life!
Today is a Good Friday, as is every day of the week, because He is here with us.
“Be sure of this. I am with you always!”
I invite you to reflect on His Wonderful Presence as you turn your eyes upon Jesus.
Follow the link.
