Easter: Jesus Lives Again!

For He was teaching His disciples and telling them, “The Son of Man is to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise three days later.” (NASB) Mark 9:31

In counting the number of days, Jewish custom considered any portion of a day as a full day. So Jesus died on a Friday, was dead on Saturday, and was still dead in the early Sunday morning. He was dead three days according to the Jewish custom of the time.

In the early Sunday morning as predicted, Jesus returned to life. It is clear from the gospel records that no one expected Him to return to life - not His disciples nor the women who buried Him (Matt 28:1-10; Luke 24:1-12; John 20:1-18). They were men and women of little faith.

One of the Pharisees, maybe a member of the Sanhedrin who later became a Christian, recorded these facts for us.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also. (NASB) 1 Cor. 15:3-8

This man Saul of Tarsus had been searching for and killing any Jew who believed in Jesus and claimed to be a Christian. Imagine this former Pharisee writing the words above.

Jesus remained on the earth for forty days teaching His disciples and spending time with them (Acts 1:3). He visited with His disciples frequently and most likely His mother though the gospels do not record that.

Conclusion. After forty days Jesus gave His disciples directions and told them to tell others about the good news of His death and resurrection (Matt. 28:19-20). The good news is that Jesus died so that our sins can be forgiven (Rom. 4:25). He returned to life as proof that He was God (Rom. 1:4) and that He could forgive our sins (Rom. 4:23-25) when we believe in Him and are willing to let Him take control of our lives. The former Pharisee, Saul who was renamed Paul, wrote these words,

. . . that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; (NASB) Rom. 10:9-10

Jesus told His disciples that He would return again some day. This is the next major event in our future (Acts 1:6-7). Then He left and returned to heaven.

Jesus' death and resurrection was the fulfillment of many ancient prophecies. Here is a summary of those prophecies.

Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know - this Man, delivered over by the predetermined plan and foreknowledge of God, you nailed to a cross by the hands of godless men and put Him to death. But God raised Him up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it was impossible for Him to be held in its power. (NASB) Acts 2:22-24

Easter is not bunnies and colored chicken eggs. Easter is the celebration of Jesus’ return to life. Jesus is alive! Is He your risen Lord and Savior?