DESTINY’S BIBLE STUDY NOTES AND QUOTES

(The Life and Ministry of Jesus #49)

In Joseph’s tomb

In the beginning the Father and the Son had rested upon the Sabbath after Their work of creation. (Genesis 2:1-3) Now Jesus rested from the work of redemption.

Upon the very day of Christ’s death, three men, differing widely from one another, had declared their faith. He who commanded the Roman guard, he who bore the cross of the Savior, and he who died upon the cross at His side.

However, the priests and rulers were not at rest. They had carried out their purpose in putting Christ to death. But they did not feel the sense of victory they had expected. They now dreaded the dead Christ more than they had ever feared the living Christ.

While the disciples feared to show themselves openly as His followers, Joseph and Nicodemus came boldly to their aid. The help of these rich and honored men was greatly needed at this time. They could do for their dead Master what it was impossible for the poor disciples to do. Their wealth and influence protected them from the malice of the priests and rulers.

Nicodemus had had opportunity for reflection. A clearer light now illuminated his mind, and the words which Jesus had spoken to him were no longer mysterious. He felt that he had lost much by not connecting himself with the Savior during His life. The very event that destroyed the hopes of the disciples had convinced both Nicodemus and Joseph of His divinity.

The mourning and cries of the suffering ones brought home to thousands of minds the conviction that a great light had gone out of the world. Without Christ, the earth was blackness and darkness.

Jesus was sealed as securely in the tomb as if He were to remain there through all time. Roman guards were powerless to confine the Lord of life within the tomb. The hour of His release was near.

The Lord is Risen (See Matthew 28:2-4, 11-15)

Angels that excel in strength were guarding the tomb, and waiting to welcome the Prince of life.

At the death of Jesus the soldiers had beheld the earth wrapped in darkness at midday. But at the resurrection they saw the brightness of the angels illuminate the night, and heard the inhabitants of heaven singing with great joy and triumph: “You have vanquished Satan and the powers of darkness. You have swallowed up death in victory.”

All created beings live by the will and power of God. They are dependent recipients of the life of God. Only He who is One with God could say, I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to take it again. In His divinity, Christ possessed the power to break the bonds of death.

To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Savior the life that was lost through sin is restored. For He has life in Himself to quicken who He will. He is invested with the right to give immortality. The life that He laid down in humanity, He takes up again, and gives to humanity.

To the believer, death is but a small matter. Jesus speaks of it as if it were a little moment. “If any man keep my saying, he shall never see death.” To the Bible believing Christian, death is but a sleep, a moment of silence and darkness. The life is hid with Christ in God, and “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear, with Him in glory.” (John 8:51, 52 and Colossians 3:4)

Why Do You Weep? (See Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-18)

The women who had stood by the cross of Christ waited for the Sabbath to pass. On the first day of the week, very early, they made their way to the tomb, taking with them precious spices to anoint the Savior’s body. They had not understood His rising from the dead.

A young man clothed in shinning garments was sitting by the tomb. It was the angel who had rolled away the stone. He had taken the guise of humanity that he might not alarm these friends of Jesus. Another angel in human form is there and says, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?”

The day that was a day of rejoicing to all heaven was to the disciples a day of uncertainty, confusion, and perplexity. Christ’s first work on earth after His resurrection was to convince His disciples of His undiminished love and tender regard for them. To give them proof that He was their living Savior. That He had broken the fetters of the tomb, and could no longer be held by the enemy death!

At first the disciples could not cast off their doubts and perplexities. Even when the women declared that they had seen the Lord, the disciples would not believe. They thought they were under a delusion.

In the garden, Mary had stood weeping, when Jesus was close beside her. Her eyes were so blinded by tears that she did not discern Him. And the hearts of the disciples were so full of grief that they did not believe the angel’s message of the words of Christ Himself.

How many are still doing what Mary and the disciples did? Jesus is close beside them, but their tear blinded eyes, and troubled hearts do not discern Him. He speaks to them but they do not understand. Do not mourn as those who are hopeless and helpless. Jesus lives! And because He lives, we shall live also!

Jesus lives to make intercession for us! Grasp this hope, and it will hold the soul like an anchor. Believe and you shall see the glory of God.

The Walk to Emmaus (See Luke 24:13-33)

Late in the afternoon of the day of the resurrection, two disciples were on their way to Emmaus, a little town eight miles from Jerusalem. These disciples had no prominent place in Christ’s work, but they were earnest believers in Him. They were greatly perplexed as they walked.

Strange that the disciples did not remember Christ’s words, and realize that He had foretold the events which had come to pass. They did not realize that the last part of His disclosure would be just as verily fulfilled as the first part. That the third day He would rise again. This was the part they should have remembered.

The priests and rulers did not forget this. On the day “that followed the preparation, the chief priests and rulers came together to Pilate, saying, Sir, we remembered that that deceiver said, while He was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.” (Matthew 27:62, 63) But the disciples did not remember these words.

In teaching the disciples, Jesus showed the importance of the Old Testament as a witness to His mission. Many professed Christians now disregard the Old Testament. But such is not Christ’s teaching. So highly did He value it that at one time He said, “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)

The miracles of Christ are a proof of His divinity. But a stronger proof that He is the world’s Redeemer is found in comparing the prophecies of the Old Testament with the history of the New Testament.

Jesus interests Himself in those who need Him. Gladly will He enter the humblest home, and cheer the lowliest heart. But if humanity is too indifferent to think of the heavenly Guest, or ask Him to abide with them, He passes on. Thus many meet with great loss.

Had the disciples failed to press an invitation, they would not have known that their traveling companion was the risen Lord. Christ never forces His company upon anyone. He stands at the door of our hearts and knocks, and it’s up to us to decide whether to let Him in or not. (See Revelation 3:20)