A Chronological Sequence of Events: "Resurrection Morning"

 

Bobservations Column

By Pastor Bob Lawrenz 

It happened before. One of Jesus’ ancestors was rejected by his brethren. Out of jealousy, they sold him as a slave. He was eventually taken to a foreign land and made a servant in a ruler’s household. And once there, his abilities caused him to be raised up to a high position, second only to the King of that land. He was the go-to-guy for food when there was a famine.

The famine spread also into the ancestor’s homeland, and his brethren who sold him eventually came seeking food for their families, for they had heard there was food in that foreign land. They were to go see this man raised up to power, not realizing who he actually was. If they wanted their families to live, they had to get to him, and be in his good graces.

Though his brethren did not recognize him, he indeed recognized them. He recalled the day when they sold him off to be a servant to foreigners. They had told their father, Jacob, that he was dead, killed by a wild beast. They even took his coat and bloodied it to show his father. Years passed, and they found themselves groveling at this man’s feet. He asked of their father back home, and their youngest brother, Benjamin. And, he learned that his brethren were still sticking to their lie, that they had another brother who had been killed.

The man put the brothers through their paces, requiring this and that from them, even requiring that the youngest brother be brought to him from Israel.

And then they were to return to Israel and bring the father and all the family.

The man’s name was Joseph. He and all his brothers were the twelve sons of Jacob, and when Joseph revealed his true identity to his brothers, they shook with fear, their sin being exposed for what they had done to him. Sure that they would face severe consequences at his hand, they pledged to be his servants in Egypt. Joseph instead showed them mercy, and forgiveness.

( ~ Read the whole story in Genesis 35-50 ~ )

Rejected by His own, Jesus was a servant to all. Away from His Father, He suffered many things, even the death of the cross. He was then raised up to a position of authority. By His sufferings, any who come to Him will be saved.

“For it pleased the Father that in Him, all fullness should dwell.” ~ Colossians 1:19

Happy Resurrrection Day !

“This is the day the Lord hath made!" Psalm 118:24

Renewal and new growth surrounds us in nature, and we have already enjoyed a taste of the better weather coming our way after the winter.

Be blessed this week! Read on in the Gospels as Jesus continues to teach His followers and spread the good news that He Is Risen! Let new growth and renewal happen in your life, and your heart.

Today's Audio Message: 

Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John20 - "Resurrection Morning"

In the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea, is where they laid the body of Jesus after He suffered and died on the cross for our sins. There His body lay for three days until just before dawn on Sunday, the events that took place changed everything! Jesus had risen from the dead! His tomb was empty! In one of the greatest historical events in all of human history, Jesus had risen from the dead.

The Jewish leaders thought that they had finally rid themselves of a radical teacher. The Gentile leaders, hoped that they had stopped a potential insurrection. Satan thought he had thwarted God’s plan of salvation and reconciliation. BUT…Death could not hold Him! “But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him” (Acts 2:24).  Jesus death was like no other…it didn’t defeat Him, He defeated it! Talk about significant and substantial! The resurrection of Jesus is God’s great marker in history that declares that Jesus will have the last word in history. 

Talk about significant and substantial! The resurrection of Jesus is God’s great marker in history that declares that Jesus will have the last word in history. Acts 17:31 says;

“Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.”

The world would never be the same again. Jesus is risen and since He is risen, those who put their faith and trust in Him will also be risen with Him. The hope of our lives is eternal life through Jesus Christ.

The four Gospels each contain bits of information about the events occurring after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Putting the four accounts together provides us with an amazing detailed account and harmonization of the gospels.