Behold the Man

What an eventful weekend that had been all those years ago.

On the Friday, the day before the Sabbath...

Darkness was over the land for three hours – Matthew 27:45, Mark 15:33, Luke 23:44-45,

There was an earthquake – Matthew 27:51, 

The Veil in the Holy Temple was torn in two – Matthew 27:51, Mark 15:38, Luke 23:45

Jesus was now dead. Joseph of Arimathea had went to Pilate and secured the release of Jesus’ body. Nichodemus had gone to get the spices and materials needed for a ritual burial. Pilate had posted Roman guards to stand watch over the tomb, and possibly to keep a watch on those mourners who had come to the tomb to weep over the body during the time of mourning. This was a custom kept by the Hebrew people since ancient times…

Job Ch21 (32)Yet he shall be brought to the grave, And a vigil kept over the tomb.

And on the Sunday, the day after the Sabbath...

Angels appeared again – Matthew 28:2, Mark 16:5, Luke 24:4-6.

There was another earthquake - Matthew 28:2

The stone over the doorway of the tomb rolled away – Matthew 28:2, Mark 16:4, Luke24:2, John 20:1.

Mary Magdalene and Mary, Jesus' mother, seem to have came early to keep their vigil over Jesus’ body. They arrived there “while it was yet dark” and feeling their way around in the darkness they noticed that the stone was rolled away from the doorway. Frightened, They ran back to get the other disciples who weren’t far behind. And they all arrived at the tomb just before the early light of dawn.

The scene they were met with was incredible. The stone doorway was indeed rolled away. John ran into the garden and saw an Angel sitting on top of the stone and he stopped dead in his tracks. Peter, he ran past John and into the tomb where he saw more Angels – One at the foot and one at the head of the burial chamber. He also saw the linen burial clothes of Jesus neatly folded within the tomb.

And why wouldn’t there be so many Angels there? Jesus, the Christ, had just defeated death, and hell and sin itself. Hallelujah!!!

While Peter and John were trying to make sense of what they saw at the empty tomb, something else that they didn’t notice was quietly happening in a dimly lit corner of the garden. For, unbeknown to anyone else, Jesus was talking with Mary Magdalene. Jesus had indeed arose from the dead and was beginning to make Himself known to people.

And so, almost every Messianic prophecy contained in the ancient scriptures had very nearly came to fulfilment.

But the divine mission was not yet complete. After the Ascension of Jesus, during which time He appeared onto the rest of the disciples and many other people, a new phase in God’s plan was to begin.

You see there is a certain school of thinking that teaches of Jesus, the Son of Man, as having a three-fold ministry…

Jesus was to be our  MESSIAH…
Isaiah Ch9 (6)For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (7)Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

Jesus is to be our  MEDIATOR…
1st Timothy Ch2 (5)For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

Hebrews Ch7 (25)Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

And finally Jesus is to be our  JUDGE…
Acts Of The Apostles Ch10 (42)And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. (43)To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins."

2nd Timothy Ch4 (8)Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

And so, this Easter message brings us to today. We are the Church that Jesus founded with the power of His Holy Spirit.

Some say that The Church was founded in the upper room at Pentecost. But I say that The Church was founded at the beginning of time. For if the old testament prophecies of a coming Messiah were to be fulfilled then surely the prophecies of the Church must be part of that same old testament too. And so we shall continue walking on God's pathway. Always building up his people.

Thank you for reading this two-part blog. May Jesus make Himself known to you more and more. And bless you continually each and every day.

Behold the Man, this mighty Man called Jesus
With care-worn hands, no weakling was He;
From Heaven above, down to this old world to teach us
How to live in love. Behold the man.

Behold the Man, He's the Living Revelation -
He knew each hurt a human heart could stand
Within His heart, He faced every tribulation
If there ever was a man - Behold the Man.

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