APRIL "EASTER" EDITION 2019... The Cross and the Resurrection...
by Dr. Keith J. Wise
I. INTRODUCTION: We are with great anticipation looking for the coming of Spring this year. Our winter has been harsh and long and the effects of cold freezing and thawing are seen all around us. But as of today at this writing virtually at the end of March in Michigan, I have tulips coming up, buds on my trees just waiting to bust and the scampering of squirrels and birds in my yard. Neighbors who live near me have been tapping their sugar maples while the local radio farm shows are full of information and advise to prepare for spring and summer. Oh, what a change is coming!
Yes, and there is a telegraphed message to us, the peoples of this world, that the death of this world with all of its drudgery will be coming to an end through the victory of Jesus Christ over the grave. This was not done at random or without a price however, and not accomplished without a meaning. Let me reference you back to last years April's edition of my blog. See side bar (April 2018). I have numerous references there to the proofs of Christ and the resurrection. But the resurrection would have had no meaning without the Cross. Let me suggest the lyrics to one of the best old hymns you might sing to increase your appreciation of the cross. In the Cross of Christ I Glory: "In the Cross of Christ I glory, tow'ring o'er the wrecks of time; all the light of sacred story gathering round its head sublime. When the woes of life o'er take me, hopes deceive and fears annoy, never shall the cross forsake me, Lo! it glows with peace and joy." Another set of lyrics to another hymn also briefly speak; "...Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe, sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow..."
The history of Christianity has been its profound faith displayed in facts. Facts of the cross and the death of the savior on a busy highway or hill outside Jerusalem in the "fullness of time." Noted persons and places from secular history surround all the events of the Bible and especially the birth and death, burial and resurrection of Jesus who is the Christ. As the seasons speak of timing, so salvation through the shed blood of Christ for the sins of the world speak ahead of redemption now and forever until He comes again. As the Apostle Peter reminds his listeners in Acts 3:21, "...He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets..." (see Psalm 110).
II. DIGGING DEEPER... The Final Week...A Timeline
Here is a timeline of the final week or holy week as we move to resurrection Sunday and see its power. I want to thank Dr. Bill Patterson and his chart from The Lookout of March 29, 2015.
DAY 1, Sunday:
- Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem. He then spent the night in Bethany.
DAY 2, Monday:
- He walked to Jerusalem. He cursed a fig tree. He cleansed the temple. He walked back to Bethany to spend the night there.
Day 3, Tuesday:
- He walked back to the temple. Along the way he found the fig tree, now withered.
- He pronounced woes on the temple. He taught parables at the temple and answered questions. He spent the night in Bethany.
Day 4, Wednesday:
- Scholars call this the "silent day" as Jesus stayed in Bethany.
Day 5, Thursday:
- Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for the Passover. He traveled to Jerusalem. He ate the Last Supper with the Twelve. He washed to disciples' feet; Judas left. He instituted the Lord's Supper. He walked tot he Garden of Gethsemane and prayed. Judas betrayed him; the Sanhedrin arrested him; the disciples fled.
- Jesus was taken to the home of the high priest.
Day 6, Friday:
- The first trial was held before Annas (who was father-in-law of Caiaphas and former high priest).
- The second (primary) trial and condemnation took place at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest.
- The third trial happened at dawn before the Sanhedrin; Peter denied him a third time; Jesus' condemnation was repeated; guards beat and mocked Jesus; they turned him over to the Romans (who held the authority to execute him).
- The fourth trial was held before Pilate, the Roman governor.
- The fifth trial took place before Herod.
- The sixth trial happened before Pilate; Jesus was flogged; citizens chose Barabbas rather than Jesus; Pilate turned Jesus over tot he soldiers to be crucified; the soldiers mocked him and pressed a crown of thorns onto his head. Judas hung himself.
- Jesus and then Simon of Cyrene carried his cross to the "Place of the Skull" where soldiers crucified him around 9:00 a.m.
- Darkness descended over the land for three hours.
- Jesus gave his seven last statements from the cross.
- At 3:00 p.m. he died; the heavy veil in the holy of holies tore from top to bottom; some graves opened and the people rose; a Roman soldier pierced Jesus's side with a spear.
- Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea claimed and prepared his body and buried Jesus before sundown.
Day 7, Saturday:
- The Jewish leaders requested and Pilate granted guards for his body.
- The guards also sealed the stone, covering the mouth of his grave.
Day 8, Sunday:
Jesus rose from the dead and made appearances to his followers.
III. DID YOU KNOW? A note on crucifixion material...
The documented instances of crucifixions in history have been noted in several cases including those of Jesus. But the Archaeology had never rendered an example until in 1968 when a 'bone box' was discovered in Jerusalem containing the bones of a young child and a young man. The inscription on the box states that the man, Yehohanan (John), had been 'hanged with knees apart'- that meant he was crucified. The right heel bone of the man had a Roman iron nail driven through it. The end of the nail had buckled, making it impossible to remove when the bones were later gathered into the box.
IV. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... "The Aftermath of the Crucifixion"
Text: Matthew 27:55-66
Introduction: Today we live in a day of mixed messages and sometimes information static. "Fake news" is now in our public lexicon of language. This has obliviously crept into the church and its communication to the world of the crucifixion and resurrection. When we look at the account of Matthew in our text we notice before that the "centurion and those with him" were amazed by the miraculous events of Jesus' death and concluded, "Truly this was the Son of God." The general tenor of the events of the crucifixion was despair. But with the aftermath of such the crucifixion there were three groups people who responded in faith and hope.
A. The Faithful Women Mourned (vs. 55-56, 61)
B. A Wealthy Man Pleaded (vs. 57-60).
C. The Wicked Men Plotted (vs.62-66)
Conclusion: If you take time to look at these points and the scripture with them, you will find a host of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Messiah. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he declare, "...behold, the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world." The impact of Good Friday, the shadow of the cross before us, and eventual empty tomb behind us, we come to a new dimension of faith and reality with God. "Whosoever will may come..." is the loving invitation of a loving God through a perfect savior and sacrifice for our sins. Thank you God for your provision.
V. WORDS OF WISDOM FROM A BOOK OF WISDOM: PROVERBS
1. Proverbs 22:4 "True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life."NLT
2. Proverbs 22:8 "Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end." NLT
3. Proverbs 23:12 "Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge." NLT
4. Proverbs 23:17 "Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD." NLT
5. Proverbs 21:4 "Haughty eyes, a proud heart and evil actions are all sin." NLT
6. Proverbs 19:3 "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD." NLT
7. Proverbs 19:23 "Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm." NLT
- Scholars call this the "silent day" as Jesus stayed in Bethany.
Day 5, Thursday:
- Jesus sent Peter and John to prepare for the Passover. He traveled to Jerusalem. He ate the Last Supper with the Twelve. He washed to disciples' feet; Judas left. He instituted the Lord's Supper. He walked tot he Garden of Gethsemane and prayed. Judas betrayed him; the Sanhedrin arrested him; the disciples fled.
- Jesus was taken to the home of the high priest.
Day 6, Friday:
- The first trial was held before Annas (who was father-in-law of Caiaphas and former high priest).
- The second (primary) trial and condemnation took place at the residence of Caiaphas, the high priest.
- The third trial happened at dawn before the Sanhedrin; Peter denied him a third time; Jesus' condemnation was repeated; guards beat and mocked Jesus; they turned him over to the Romans (who held the authority to execute him).
- The fourth trial was held before Pilate, the Roman governor.
- The fifth trial took place before Herod.
- The sixth trial happened before Pilate; Jesus was flogged; citizens chose Barabbas rather than Jesus; Pilate turned Jesus over tot he soldiers to be crucified; the soldiers mocked him and pressed a crown of thorns onto his head. Judas hung himself.
- Jesus and then Simon of Cyrene carried his cross to the "Place of the Skull" where soldiers crucified him around 9:00 a.m.
- Darkness descended over the land for three hours.
- Jesus gave his seven last statements from the cross.
- At 3:00 p.m. he died; the heavy veil in the holy of holies tore from top to bottom; some graves opened and the people rose; a Roman soldier pierced Jesus's side with a spear.
- Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea claimed and prepared his body and buried Jesus before sundown.
Day 7, Saturday:
- The Jewish leaders requested and Pilate granted guards for his body.
- The guards also sealed the stone, covering the mouth of his grave.
Day 8, Sunday:
IV. NUGGETS OF NOURISHMENT... "The Aftermath of the Crucifixion"
A. The Faithful Women Mourned (vs. 55-56, 61)
B. A Wealthy Man Pleaded (vs. 57-60).
C. The Wicked Men Plotted (vs.62-66)
Conclusion: If you take time to look at these points and the scripture with them, you will find a host of fulfilled prophecy concerning the Messiah. When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming to be baptized, he declare, "...behold, the Lamb of God who will take away the sin of the world." The impact of Good Friday, the shadow of the cross before us, and eventual empty tomb behind us, we come to a new dimension of faith and reality with God. "Whosoever will may come..." is the loving invitation of a loving God through a perfect savior and sacrifice for our sins. Thank you God for your provision.
V. WORDS OF WISDOM FROM A BOOK OF WISDOM: PROVERBS
1. Proverbs 22:4 "True humility and fear of the LORD lead to riches, honor, and long life."NLT
2. Proverbs 22:8 "Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end." NLT
3. Proverbs 23:12 "Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge." NLT
4. Proverbs 23:17 "Don't envy sinners, but always continue to fear the LORD." NLT
5. Proverbs 21:4 "Haughty eyes, a proud heart and evil actions are all sin." NLT
6. Proverbs 19:3 "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the LORD." NLT
7. Proverbs 19:23 "Fear of the LORD leads to life, bringing security and protection from harm." NLT
