November 5 - Mark 15:42-47, Matthew 27:57-61, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42, Matthew 27:62-66, Mark 16:1-8, Matthew 28:1-7, Luke 24:1-12, Mark 16:9-13, John 20:1-18, Matthew 28:8-15

Good morning everyone,

As we continue the story today, scripture has been fulfilled, in as much as, Jesus has died, not one of his bones was broken and the people looked upon the One they had pierced. Joseph of Arimathea, who we’re told was a good upright man, and secretly a disciple of Jesus for he was a member of the Council, approached Pilot and asked for and was given the body of Jesus to take away for burial. He was accompanied by Nicodemus, you remember him, right? He was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin who also secretly visited Jesus one night to discuss his teachings with him. Together they took the body of Jesus, wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in Joseph’s own, brand new, unused tomb that was cut in the rock.

We’re told by Matthew, “The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’” They asked that the tomb be guarded. Pilot complied, ordering the tomb be made as secure as possible and guards be posted.

At dawn, after the Sabbath, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to the tomb. We are told that there was a violent earthquake when an angel of the Lord came down from heaven, rolled back the stone in front of the tomb and sat on it. Can you please just see that in your mind’s eye? Literally, an angel drops from the sky, rolls back the humongous stone in sitting in front of the tomb entrance, then hops up and cops a squat on it. What would you say to that? The guards fainted dead away, while the angel calmed the two Marys and informed them Jesus had risen. He told them Jesus had gone ahead of them to Galilee and that they should go and tell the other disciples and that’s what they did. However we’re told in John that the disciples still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead. 

Peter and John did, though, and took off running to where the tomb was, of course finding it empty. The linen cloth looking like an empty cocoon. It was then that they remembered what the Scriptures and Jesus had said; he would die but he would also rise again.  Mary too, had made her way back to the tomb. She was standing outside crying when Jesus walked up behind her and asked her why the tears. She turned and immediately recognizing Him cried out, “Rabboni!” 

In todays economy too many of us are like the disciples. We go to church, we read our Bibles, attend Christian retreats, are in Bible studies, but how many of us actually really understand that Jesus is coming back. That this cycle of life, as we know it on earth, will end some day. Matthew 25:13 says, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.” It could even be today or tomorrow or next Sunday. The point is, it will end and it begs the question, are you living like you understand what the Scripture says or are you akin to the disciples who just did not get it? 

Friends, Jesus did die in order for us to be able to be clean enough to stand in the presence of God. Jesus did conquer death and then rose again to sit with His Father in heaven but just before He did He assured His followers, "I will come again." The fact that Jesus is coming to the world a second time is as certain as the reality that He lived on this earth 2,000 years ago. There is hope on the way. Amen?

Have a great day and to God be the glory.

God bless you all …..