Can you imagine living in Jerusalem around 33 A.D.? There must have been a lot of wild and crazy things that happened in that region for many years, such as blind men being given sight, lepers being healed, and demons being cast out. It all centered around Jesus. Now He was being crucified for blasphemy. This man, whom many had followed and thought of as the Messiah, was now hanging on a cross between two criminals. A week earlier, many of the people at the foot of the cross had hailed Him as the Messiah as He rode into Jerusalem on a donkey (fulfilling Zechariah 9:9).
“And the multitudes that went before, and that followed cried saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest” (Matthew 21:9). (Hosanna means “save now.”)
They had looked to Him for salvation, but that was a week ago, and now hearts had become cold and hard. Then He was arrested and faced an illegal trial, and now He was on the cross.
His life had always been controversial. Many years before, there had been a census, and Jewish people from everywhere had flooded into Jerusalem and surrounding towns, such as Bethlehem. One couple who were engaged couldn’t find lodging, so they took shelter in a manger. Rumor had it that she was pregnant, and he decided to stay loyal to her anyway. Still, they were only engaged.
Apparently, she gave birth that night, and according to the shepherds watching their flocks, angels appeared. The shepherds claimed they were told to find a baby in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes. So, they went and found this baby, just as the angel had said. Shepherds spend a lot of time alone with the sheep, so when they came to town with this wild story, it was very hard to believe them.
“And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds” (Luke 2:17-18).
Shepherds weren’t the most reputable people, but they seemed very sincere in what they proclaimed. These shepherds said the angels said, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). It was a strange story, but one that people remembered.
The people may also have remembered Simeon. He was a little eccentric and had claimed the Holy Ghost talked to him. “And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26).
One day, he claimed the Spirit led him to the Temple just as the parents of the child the shepherds had seen brought Him to the temple to fulfill the requirements of the Law (Leviticus 12:2-8). Apparently, they were too poor to afford a lamb to sacrifice, so they just brought turtledoves to fulfill the law (not understanding that Jesus was the Lamb of God).
That funny old man, saw them and “Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou has prepared before the face of all people, a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel” (Luke 2:28-32; also see Isaiah 42:6, 49:6, 60:1-3).
Simeon saw that this child was special, and he also knew God would shine light on the Gentiles as well as Israel. Strange words from a man who was so close to God. “And Simeon blessed them, and said unto Mary his mother, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which shall be spoken against; (Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed” (Luke 2:34-35).
Simeon was a wise old man, and his words were true. Then, there was Anna, that sweet old lady who was a prophetess and spent all her time in the Temple. She was a very devoted woman who served the Lord. “And she coming in that instant gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
These were all strange events, but to the logical mind, how could it all be true? Simeon and Anna were both respected people who loved and believed in God. It was all true. Still, the best was yet to come.
Jesus continued to cause upset among those who had trouble believing God was fulfilling prophecy in their day. Did anybody remember the time that Mary and Joseph lost Jesus? They had traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate.
“And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.” (Luke 2:42).
They had gone there with friends, and it was a fun trip. “And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it” (Luke 2:43).
They weren’t keeping track of Jesus but just assumed he was with others in the group. It took a day until they realized He wasn’t among the friends and family they were traveling with. He wasn’t in the crowd, so they had to return to Jerusalem to see if they could find Him there.
“And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions” Luke 2:46.
Even Mary and Joseph had to seek after Jesus. When they found Him in the temple, they saw the Jewish scholars talking with Him, and all were astonished at what was being said. They didn’t fully understand who this child was, but they would eventually come to understand.
Many people today think they know Jesus but don’t. Like Mary and Joseph, we all have to find Jesus and understand who He is. “And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? Behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing” Luke 2:48.
Mary just didn’t understand, and like many people, she blamed Jesus for her own failures. She should have known where to find Him because she should have known who He was.
“And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business? And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them” (Luke 2:49-50).
Jesus went back to Nazareth with them and continued to grow and increase in wisdom. He was God in the flesh and preparing for the ministry set before Him.
Now He was being crucified. After being beaten, mocked, and nails pounded into His hands and feet, Jesus only felt sorrow over the ignorance of those who rejected Him (Psalm 22). As He looked down and watched the soldiers gambling for His clothes, He forgave.
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots” (Luke 23:34; also see Psalm 22:18).
Then He said His final words. “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost” (John 19:30).
Satan had lost, and God had won. It was getting late, and the Jewish leaders wanted the bodies off the cross before the sabbath. Orders were given to break the legs of those being crucified.
“But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs: but one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water” (John 19:33-34; also see Exodus 12:46).
The Cross fulfilled the Passover (Exodus 12:21-29), only instead of a cute little lamb being sacrificed to cover sin, Jesus Christ, the perfect Lamb of God, shed His blood to take sin away. He gave Himself as the once-for-all sacrifice to take sin away. “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10).
Hallelujah for the cross! But the best was yet to come.
Some at the cross weren’t mocking His death but mourning their loss. For instance, His mother was there, as was the disciple John, Mary Magdalene, and a few others who loved Jesus. Did His mother remember the words of Simeon in the Temple? Some who watched Him die were logically thinking of the next step: burial. The body of Christ had to be taken down and buried in haste because of time constraints. Two men, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathaea, tended to the body of Jesus. Joseph of Arimathaea requested possession of the body, and Nicodemus brought the myrrh and aloes to treat the body.
“And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone to the door of the sepulchre, and departed” (Matthew 27:59-60).
Many mourned the death of Jesus, but the best was yet to come!
The chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate “Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can” (Matthew 27:63-65).
These Jewish leaders had taunted Jesus, asking for a sign. There had been many signs, but they were blinded by their own pride and missed them. Jesus answered by pointing out they can read the color of the sky and know what weather is coming, but they couldn’t discern the signs of the times. Sadly, many people still cannot discern the signs of the times.
“A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign, and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed” (Matthew 16:4; also see Jonah 1:17).
It’s easy to miss the signs if you don’t study Scripture and believe it. The Pharisees didn’t believe Scripture was being fulfilled, but they did believe that the disciples were going to try to steal the body and pretend He had risen from the dead. Their ploy would backfire. There was a Roman guard placed at the tomb, and a seal was placed over the entrance. It was as secure as they could make it. The best was yet to come!
“The first day of the week cometh Mary Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the stone taken away from the sepulchre. Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him” (John 20:1-3).
Oh, how her heart must have sunk! The Lord was gone, and she was sure that the enemies of God had taken Him away. Peter and John ran to the tomb.
“And he stooping down, and looking in, saw the linen clothes lying; yet went he not in. Then cometh Simon Peter following him, and went into the sepulchre, and seeth the linen clothes lie, and the napkin that was about his head, not lying with the linen clothes, but wrapped together in a place by itself” (John 20:5-7).
Peter and John were confused and left, but Mary stayed there crying. She looked into the tomb and saw two angels who asked her why she was crying. She told them it was because Jesus’ body was gone and she didn’t know where it was. When she turned around, she saw Him, but didn’t recognize Him.
There is much speculation as to why various people didn’t recognize Him. I have concluded that they had seen Him die and knew He was buried. Why would they think they were seeing Him alive? When she realized it was Him, she was overcome with joy! Mary Magdalene was the first person to share the Good News that Christ was risen. Since that time, the Gospel has spread throughout the world. Sin was taken away, death was conquered. Praise God!
Those first believers faced terrible persecution, especially by a man named Saul. He was filled with hatred toward Christians, but one day, approximately 20 years after the resurrection, while on his way to arrest Christian men and women, He met Jesus. His life was completely changed, and he became the first missionary, spreading the Gospel to the Gentiles. Now known as Paul, he wrote many letters which we treasure today.
One letter was to a very liberal congregation in Corinth. They were “woke” and not following God’s truth at all. He reminded them that he had delivered to them the Gospel, which was the same he had received.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
The Gospel has not changed, and if any point is not being taught by your pastor, he is in error. Remember the cross and what it means, but also remember that Jesus did not remain on the cross. He died for our salvation, but three days later, He arose! He conquered death!
“O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, foreasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Believe the Gospel. Don’t compromise on any point.
As we come to the time of year when we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord, don’t be sidetracked by secular celebrations. It’s Christ alone who saves from eternal death. As Jesus told Nicodemus, you must be born again. We are all sinners, but when we truly believe in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, that’s when we repent of our sin and choose to follow Jesus. Our sins are forgiven, and our lives should show change.
Forgiveness is not a license to continue sinning. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:6-7).
Our faith should be evident in our life. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).
Thank God for Jesus Christ.
Remember the cross, but remember the cross is empty, and so is the grave. Jesus conquered death for us, and Heaven waits for us. The best is yet to come!
God bless you all.
Nathele Graham
Recommended prophecy sites:
www.raptureready.com
www.prophecyupdate.com
www.raptureforums.com
All original scripture is “theopneustos,” God-breathed.
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“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee” (Psalm 122:6).