Jesus’s death was spectacular. Darkness covered the world. The veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom. The earth quaked as it received his blood. In retrospect, some of those who participated gleefully in his crucifixion were not so sure his death was really what they wanted anymore. Terrified they cried out; "Truly this was the Son of God!" The blood guilty crowd dispersed. The disciples bowed their heads and hid their faces in shame. The Roman rulers clinked their glasses in celebration; the rebels were subdued!
Now twenty-four hours have gone by since Jesus was crucified and buried. There is an uneasy silence. Nothing is happening. Or so it seems....This is where I remember that God is always working, even when we don’t see it.
“Even when I don’t see it, You’re working!”
“Even when I don’t feel it, You’re working!”
“You never stop, You never stop working.”
Just before the water boils and bubbles over, you may not know the water molecules are regrouping. Just before the plant springs forth a new shoot from the earth, you would not guess there is intense activity going on beneath the ground.
Beloved in Christ, before you say “Nothing is happening” look beneath the surface!
Let us look at a few passages of scripture to gain insight and trust the Holy Spirit for revelation.
Although He died in the natural, Jesus waged war in the spirit. The battle was far from being over. He introduced Himself in Hades as the King of Glory.
Psalm 24:7& 8 “Lift up your heads, O ye gates! Be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of Glory may enter! Who is this King of Glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.…
He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14 & 15).
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death (Hebrews 2: 14 & 15).
None of the rulers of this age understood it. For if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. (1 Corinthians 2:8).
The Dawn of a New Day!
We know how the story ends: He is risen! Hallelujah! Jesus conquered the grave; The tomb is empty!!
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.… As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again (Luke 24: 1-7).
Ponder on this:
Jesus said He would die and rise again on the third day; He did.
Jesus said He goes to the Father but He will come again to take us with Him; He will!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25 & 26).
