Bobservations Column
Pastor Bob Lawrenz
While we study and review the Crucifixion of Christ Jesus, there has been a controversy that arose of which the Cults have promoted and have taken advantage. The Cults would like to disprove that Jesus is God,
The roots of this controversy lay in the language. We read it just last week, as the Chief Priests and the Pharisees approached Pilate, “...Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while He was yet alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Hence, the birth of the controversy is in the quotation of the Priests and Pharisees, and other scriptures. A simple word search of “After three days I will rise again,” will produce not a single reference for Jesus having said those precise words in the Bible. Therefore, a lack of consistency in the language has given rise to the controversy.
Is it “after three days,” or is it “on the third day?” The Priests and Pharisees believe that Jesus taught about the Resurrection, and indeed He did. Some of them did too! But textual consistency is key. Both are used, and hence confusion. Jesus taught the He would rise again; He taught about rebuilding the Temple in three days. This confusion has caused divisions in the Church. The Cults deny Jesus’ Deity as well as the Doctrine of the Trinity. These are foundational to Christianity, yet Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon Church declare themselves to be Christians, while denying His Deity.
“After three days” implies a Resurrection on the fourth day or later. But as we read in Genesis 1:13 states clearly that a full day is measured from evening to the next morning. The scriptures are sometimes vague about non-salvation issues. Take note of God’s definition of a day: The six days of creation: Genesis 1:5; 1:8; 1:13; 1:19; 1:23; 1:31. Jesus has inferred that at some point on the third day, He would rise again. Perhaps the Temple hierarchy has misquoted Him and implied something other than what Jesus was inferring.
This is disturbing, for it has caused churches to divide and part ways. This is Satan’s plan: Divide & conquer. The minutia of doctrinal details may remain a mystery until we see Him face-to-face. The overall doctrine, however, will stand.
The roots of this controversy lay in the language. We read it just last week, as the Chief Priests and the Pharisees approached Pilate, “...Sir, we remember that that deceiver said while He was yet alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Hence, the birth of the controversy is in the quotation of the Priests and Pharisees, and other scriptures. A simple word search of “After three days I will rise again,” will produce not a single reference for Jesus having said those precise words in the Bible. Therefore, a lack of consistency in the language has given rise to the controversy.
Is it “after three days,” or is it “on the third day?” The Priests and Pharisees believe that Jesus taught about the Resurrection, and indeed He did. Some of them did too! But textual consistency is key. Both are used, and hence confusion. Jesus taught the He would rise again; He taught about rebuilding the Temple in three days. This confusion has caused divisions in the Church. The Cults deny Jesus’ Deity as well as the Doctrine of the Trinity. These are foundational to Christianity, yet Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Mormon Church declare themselves to be Christians, while denying His Deity.
“After three days” implies a Resurrection on the fourth day or later. But as we read in Genesis 1:13 states clearly that a full day is measured from evening to the next morning. The scriptures are sometimes vague about non-salvation issues. Take note of God’s definition of a day: The six days of creation: Genesis 1:5; 1:8; 1:13; 1:19; 1:23; 1:31. Jesus has inferred that at some point on the third day, He would rise again. Perhaps the Temple hierarchy has misquoted Him and implied something other than what Jesus was inferring.
This is disturbing, for it has caused churches to divide and part ways. This is Satan’s plan: Divide & conquer. The minutia of doctrinal details may remain a mystery until we see Him face-to-face. The overall doctrine, however, will stand.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." - Romans 10:9
--->THIS is the doctrine that saves. <---
2 Timothy 2:23 and Titus 3:9
Avoid foolish questions, and strivings about the law (doctrine.)
Today's Audio Message:
Matthew 28:1-20 - "Will You Believe It?"
Summary/Notes:
The climax has come! All of our Lord's life and mission have now reached the culmination. The history of man and his fallen state, and the move of our Lord though history and our lives has interwoven to the finishing point. He lived on our behalf. He has died in our place to absorb God's wrath and pay our debt of sin; now, He rises back to life, conquering death, and giving us victory and grace for a life of fulfillment and fullness (Psalm 16:11; 107:09; Isaiah 26:3; John 14:21; Galatians 5:16; 22-23; 1 John 1:7-9; 3 John 4)! This passage contains the ultimate wonder of the universe-the incredible impossible, and the incredible triumph. Jesus was crucified; he died and was buried. Jesus Rose Again!!!
The women went back to the tomb to finish His preparations because they were unable to do so earlier due to the Passover. When they came upon the tomb, the stone was already rolled away and the chamber, where Jesus' body was supposed to be, was empty. They were confused and perplexed. What had happened? Did the Romans take Him? Did the Scribes do something heinous to His body?
Then, suddenly, an angel appeared, striking fear and awe in them. He told them that Jesus has risen, and to go back to Galilee and tell the disciples. The religious leaders were stunned. They quickly tried to spin the situation to their favor by bribing the soldiers to tell lies saying the disciples stole the body. Then, Jesus appeared, eliminating all doubts and questions. He then gave the final marching orders for the purpose and reason of the Christian life-to know Jesus and make Him known!
Jesus has all authority! He proved this by not only being God, but by being willing to come as a man to this earth and live the life we could not, nor would not do. He overcame our sins and our enemies (John 12:31; 16:33; Romans 6:1-7; Revelation 1:17-18)! He kept His promise that He made to Adam to redeem us, and then He sent the Comforter to lead us on (Acts 1:3; 2:24-35; 3:15; 4:10; 5:30-32; 13:33-37)! Jesus is risen. This means He conquered death (Acts 2:24; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:50-58). We too, in Him, will undergo a similar transformation, as we live for Him, forgive in His name, are justified (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:17), and will arise in eternity (John 11:25-26; Romans 6; Ephesians 1:18-2:10; Colossians 2:9-15; 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18; 1 Peter 1:3).
Jesus is risen-He is risen indeed-Hallelujah!
