“For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,”
He talked about the phrase “made alive by the Spirit” when we acknowledged death was from a bodily perspective, but Jesus was conscious and working among the spirits-either those who died before and/or angels and demons.
This is also another victorious truth. By the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus also bodily arose from the grave. Death could not even hold His body. Our Savior died, but He rose again. On the first day of the week, as it began to dawn, the early arrivals to the tomb found it was empty. They found the grave clothes left there. They wondered what could have happened.
The first to see Jesus, according to John 20, was Mary Magdalene. She saw Him in the garden with a new white robe of righteousness. He left the grave clothes behind. The stone which covered the tomb was miraculously removed. Jesus came forth. Do you know that was just a sign for the soldiers and for the women and disciples? None of that was needed in the new resurrected body. In fact, when He met the disciples later that night Jesus did not need a door to be opened or an opening to let Him in or out. I believe that open grave was for our benefit.
Jesus remained around on the earth for forty more days, enough time sufficient for the confirmation of His identity and for teaching. People saw and talked with Him as proof He really did rise from the grave. The Scripture passages only included sightings by believers in Jesus. I don’t know for sure if they were those the only ones to physically see Him?
It was recorded for us when Thomas doubted Jesus was alive and Jesus invited Thomas to put his finger in the print of the nails and hands and into His pierced side. According to Paul's account in 1 Corinthians 15:6, five hundred people were eye witnesses of His appearances. He was not a vision held by one or two, but was seen before a great company of people in various stages of acceptance of the resurrection.
During those days He brought comfort to His disciples. He wiped away their tears. They were no longer sorrowful, but bold.
As we think of the resurrection of Christ, we cannot minimize the hope that is ours of our personal resurrection. This will that take place at the glorious return of Jesus Christ. That is why we have hope. “We serve a risen savior who is in the world today!” “He walks with me and He talks with me and He tells me I am His own.”
The Christian message is about the resurrection from the dead.
Prayer: Jesus, You have resurrected me. The old is gone. Let Your Spirit reign in my life.
