Jesus Triumphs Over Death

“But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they (the women) came to the tomb bringing spices which they had prepared.  And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.  While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men suddenly stood near them in dazzling clothing; and as the women were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living One among the dead?  He is not here, but He has risen.  Remember how He spoke to you while He was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

“And they remembered His words, and returned from the tomb and reported all these things to the eleven and to all the rest.” 

Luke 24:1-9

So, begins the rest of the story:  It is the story of the resurrection and new life for all who believe in Him.   Jesus died once for all sinners, and He lives forever to bring us forgiveness and eternal life. 

At Rest

“A man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their plan and action) a man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who was waiting for the kingdom of God; this man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  And he took it down and wrapped it in linen cloth, and laid Him in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever lain.  Now the women who had come with Him out of Galilee followed, and saw the tomb and how His body was laid.”

Luke 23:50-55

The Finish

“So they handed Him over to be crucified.  They took Jesus, therefore, and He went out, bearing His own cross, to the Place of the Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha.  There they crucified Him, and with Him two other men, one on either side, and Jesus in between.  Pilate also wrote an inscription and put it on the cross.  It was written, “Jesus the Nazarene, The King of the Jews.”  

…  “He said, “It is finished!”  And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.”

John 19:16-19, 30

They beat Jesus and crowned with a crown of thorns.  They nailed Him to the cross, and as He was dying they gambled for His clothing.  There was no dignity in His death. 

Only His mother, her sister, and Mary Magdalene stood by Him. 

It was a lonely death.

The Beginning of the End

“Immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, came up accompanied by a crowd with swords and clubs, who were from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.  Now he who was betraying Him had given them a signal, saying “Whomever I kiss, He is the one, seize Him and lead Him away under guard.” 

After coming, Judas immediately went to Him, saying, “Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

They laid hands on Him and seized Him.” 

Mark 14:43-46

It is hard to imagine that something good could come out of such an injustice.  Jesus was betrayed by one of His own disciples.  This man of peace, who healed the sick and blessed the children, was led away under guard.

Jesus departed, as He lived:  humbly. 

Doing a Good Deed is Never a Waste

“While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon, the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard, and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.  But some were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? For this perfume might have been sold for over three hundred denarii, and the money given to the poor.”  And they were scolding her.

But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why do you bother her?  She has done a good deed to Me.  For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you do not always have Me.  She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial.”

Mark 14:3-8

Jesus appreciated the actions of the woman who anointed Him with the perfume.  It is hard for us to imagine that the Son of God was in need of comfort.  Yet, Jesus quieted critics and proclaimed that the woman had "done a good deed for Him.” 

We need to keep this in mind when we hear people criticizing programs which help needy people.  It is not their place to judge needy people or to judge the people who offer help.  Giving is the business of the giver and the receiver and nobody else. 

Those who fail to understand this need to think about being more merciful.

Doing a good deed is never a waste.

Top Two Commandments

“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing and recognizing that He (Jesus) had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is foremost of all?” 

Jesus answered, “The foremost is, “Hear, O Israel!  The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.” 

The second is, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

Mark12:28-31

Jesus did not mince words when He spoke regarding what it is that God wants from us.  First, God wants us to acknowledge Him as the one and only true God, and to love Him.  Second, God wants us to love our neighbors like ourselves.  The first, deals with our spiritual harmony with God; the second deals with harmony with mankind. 

Getting along with God and getting along with mankind, both serve to make our lives better.