He Is Risen

Disciples of Jesus Help with the Burial: After this, Joseph of Arimathaea, a member of the Sanhedrin, and a disciple of Jesus . . . besought Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. JOHN 19:38 With the help of Nicodemus, took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices . . . Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid. There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews’s preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand. JOHN 19:40-42 Two Sabbaths in a Row: The scurrilous events of that day preceded the Passover which was due to begin any moment. The Passover (a special Sabbath or High Day) that week probably preceded the regular Saturday Sabbath. The Jews [Priests] therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) JOHN 19:31 A Sign to the Pharisees: It is probable that there were two Sabbaths in a row that year (the Passover Sabbath and the regular seventh day of the week Sabbath). In that sense, Jesus was crucified on what we call a Thursday. (This fits in the time reckoning of Palm Sunday being five days before the Passover). Then in fulfillment of prophecy, he really was in the tomb three nights; and on the third day he arose— and be raised again the third day. MATTHEW 16:21 (see also MATTHEW 17:23, MARK 9:31) This is also the only "sign" Jesus gave the Pharisees. Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. MATTHEW 12:38-40 In speaking to the Pharisees, he specifically connected himself with Jonah, who was in a great fish three days and three nights. JONAH 1:17 * * * * * * * The scriptures bear witness, the spirit bears witness of an empty grave, "He Is Not Here." They teach us that color, calendar, clock, people places and experiences were used to foreshadow the atonement. To this moment, with open hearts we may have experiences, meet worthy people, visit holy places, understand God’s clock in the timing of calendar events and see the color of Him who died and came alive again.