Two Year Gospel Study Week 76

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 18
Scripture: Zechariah 12:10, John 19:31-42, Matthew 27:3-10, Acts 1:18-19, Matthew 28:1-4, Mark 16:1-4, Luke 24:1-10, John 20:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:20.

Today we look at Jesus’ resurrection. 

Jesus dies on a Friday and this particular Friday was Friday, the Day of Preparation - the day of preparing the lambs for a special Saturday Sabbath, the First Sabbath of Passover. 

Following Saturday, the First Sabbath of Passover was Sunday, and this particular Sunday was also a special day as well, it was the Day of First Fruits.  Jesus would rise on this day, from the grave, and on that day He would rise as the first fruits of those who rise from the dead. “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of those who slept.” 1 Cor 15:20.

Back to our story, John tells us that Jesus’ legs were not broken - something done by Roman soldiers to insure death, but they pierced His side with a spear. This fulfills scripture, “They will look on me whom they have pierced and mourn for him as for an only son.” Zech 12:10.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus wrapped Jesus’ body in linen and spices and laid Him in a new tomb. Jesus’ followers are in deep grief.

The next morning, Saturday, the First Sabbath of Passover, chief priests and pharisees go to Pilate to ask for Jesus’ tomb to be made secure because Jesus had said He would rise after 3 days, and the chief priests and pharisees want to stop anyone from stealing the body and making it look like Jesus did rise from the dead.  They seal the tomb and place guard at it.

Then the next day - Sunday - the Day of First Fruits - is Jesus’ resurrection day! Pastor puts together the 4 gospel accounts of the women that came to the tomb that morning. While it appears they are in conflict Pastor lays things out using a map of Jerusalem and suggests those with further interest to read the book “Easter Enigma: Are the Resurrection Accounts in Conflict” by John Wenham.

Pastor shares historical information of the time period that supports the biblical narrative, even sharing recent archaeological information regarding the possible location of Jesus’ tomb.

Using all four gospels, Pastor takes us through who these women were and their early morning activities of visiting the tomb and putting forth the order of the morning events.

As we continue with the story, we read there was another violent earthquake and angels came down from heaven, scare the guards and then roll the stone from the sealed tomb. Now the women enter the tomb to find it empty. Mary Magdalene decides to run and let the disciples know what they found.

The other women ask the angels where they have put Jesus’ body and they tell them He’s not there as He has risen just as He said He would. 

At this point Peter and other disciples head for the tomb. Inside they see the strips of linen and the cloth around Jesus’ head lying there and head back to where they were staying. 

Mary Magdelene is back at the tomb and is the first to see and speak to Jesus. She’s outside the tomb crying and looks inside to see 2 angels seated where Jesus’ body had been - one at the head the other at the feet.

Pastor shares insight into the similarity of the two angels sitting as they were where Jesus had been and the Ark of the Covenant in the holy of Holies. A fascinating comparison.

The angels ask Mary why she is crying and she replies that they have take her Lord. She turns around and there is Jesus!  Though she doesn’t yet recognize Him. Jesus asks her as the angels had about why she was crying. Looking at Jesus, who she thought was the gardener, she says, “They have taken Jesus, do you know where they have taken Him?”

Then Jesus says, “Mary.” And she immediately recognized Him! She cries out in joy and Jesus tells her, “Go to my brothers, tell them I’m ascending to my Father and your Father, to My God and your God, and tell them what you have seen!”

This is only the morning’s events!  Join us next time for the rest of all that happened that Resurrection Sunday!

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry. The earth shakes, concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part five of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father’s plan. As we study Jesus’ final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us. 

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.