The Resurrection of Jesus - Its Meaning for Us - JEHOVAH DEMONSTRATES HIS POWER OVER DEATH

After Jesus was executed, the chief priests and the Pharisees came to Pilate and said:  "Sir, we recall what the imposter  said while he was still alive.  'After many days I am to be raised up.'  Therefore, command the grave to be made secure until the third day, so that his disciples may not come and steal him and say to the people, 'He was raised from the dead!'  Then this last deception will be worse than the first." In response, Pilate said to them: "You may have a guard  Go make it as secure as you know how."  That is exactly what they did. - MATTHEW 27:62-66.

Jesus' body had been placed in a tomb carved into a rock that was sealed with a large stone. That was where the Jewish religious leaders  wanted Jesus to remain forever-lifeless in that tomb.  But Jehovah had a totally different thought.  When Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb on the third day, they found the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on it. The angel urged  the women inside and see that that the tomb was empty.  "He is not here," said the angel. "for he was raised up." (Matthew 28:1-6) Jesus was alive!

Events of the next 40 days left no doubt that Jesus had been resurrected.  Summarizing the evidence, the apostle  Paul wrote to the Corinthian:  "Among the first things I handed on to you was what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, yes, that he was raised up on the third day according to the Scriptures; and that he appeared to Ce'phas, and then to the Twelve.  After that he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of them are still with us, though some have fallen asleep in death. After that he appeared to James, then to the apostles. But last of all he appeared also to me as if to one born prematurely." - 1 CORINTHIANS 15:3-8.

Next time: The Resurrection of Jesus - Its Meaning for Us - WHY WE KNOW THAT JESUS WAS RESURRECTED

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