The Rose Arose

Last Sunday we specially remembered and celebrated Jesus' death and resurrection. Even though it's past I still wanted to write about it. I learned new specific details about the crucifixion process, such as when the scouring took place, a guy would sit in front of the one being scourged with a bucket of salt water. If he thought the criminal looked like he was about to pass out from the pain he'd throw the salt water, which naturally would violently wake the criminal as the salt touched every open wound. Then as far as the cross, it most likely would not have been set up so high as pictures depict. People could walk by and be at eye level with the criminal. 

The amount of pain Jesus dealt with is indescribable. But the greatest pain was when he drank the cup of God's wrath - the wrath meant for me and you because of our sin. I heard a new take on the verse when Jesus said, 'I thirst.' He wasn't so much asking for water as he was asking the Father for the cup. Since he had to drink the cup, he was ready for it. Ready to absorb all off the cup, drink it to the dregs. God turned his back on Jesus and the fellowship was broken, the Trinity severed. It didn't last long because as Jesus fulfilled the Father's requirements for sin, God was satisfied. Right before Jesus died, he said, 'It is finished...Father into thy hands I commend my spirit.' Here the fellowship was restored and all was paid for. 

Then after he rose, he said to Mary, "Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God." ~ John 20:17

I used to be confused. Why would Jesus forbid Mary to touch him but tell Thomas to touch his hands and side? Sometime between verse 17 and 27, Jesus ascended to heaven and applied the blood to the mercy seat. How amazing to think about sins being paid for once for all. 
Hebrews 9:23-24 says, "It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the heaven should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us."

I also hadn't thought deeply about Joseph and Nicodemus who buried Jesus. They were celebrating Passover and the feast of unleavened bread, but touching the dead body would make them unclean, unable to continue celebrating. Yet they identified themselves as followers of the Lord and chose to make that sacrifice. 

Today I'm thankful for the hope of heaven. Jesus is alive and I long for the day when I get to finally go home and see God. I can't wait to spend eternity worshipping and giving praise to the Lamb with millions of brothers and sisters in Christ. This earth is just a temporary stop on my journey. Every Easter reminds me I'm heading for home, all because God so loved me, he so loved you, that he gave his Son, the Lamb to take away the sins of the world.

I cast my mind to Calvary where Jesus bled and died for me.

I see his wounds, his hands, his feet, my Saviour on that cursed tree.

His body bound and drenched in tears; they laid him down in Joseph's tomb.

The entrance sealed by heavy stone, Messiah still and all alone.

Then on the third at break of dawn, the Son of heaven rose again. 

O trampled death, where is your sting? The angels roar for Christ the King. 

He shall return in robes of white, the blazing sun shall pierce the night. 

And I will rise among the saints, my gaze transfixed on Jesus' face.

O praise the Name of the Lord, our God, O praise his name forevermore.

For endless days we will sing your praise, oh Lord our God.

Here's a couple song videos. 

The church I attend put on a musical Easter drama and did a fantastic job. They chose some unique songs. Even Pilate's words were sung. Click here if you'd like to watch.

Here he comes, stepping down from glory, Bethlehem is just the start of the story.

Here he comes, teaching in the temple, making timeless wisdom sound simple

Here he comes to seek and save, to wash our every sin away. 

Hear the captives start to say, "Here he comes!"

Here he comes, giving sight to a blind man, calling out giving life to a dead man. 

Here he comes, Hosanna's loudly ringing; carries the cross along the way to suffering.

Here he comes a miracle at sunrise, an empty tomb is shouting he is alive.

Here he comes, oh, here he comes.

Here he comes, oh, glorious day, he is risen from the grave. 

All creation shouts his praise. Here he comes

My heart beats with expectation, my soul aches with anticipation.

Oh, what a moment of celebration when we see him in the sky! 

Here he comes, stepping down from glory, coming back to finish the story.

Here he comes, and I can't wait for the dawning of that day when the angels finally say: "here he comes!"