As darkness fell on Jesus while He hung on the cross at Golgotha, he cried with a loud voice “it is finished” and gave up His life. After Jesus’ disciples took His body down from the cross, they placed his body in a new tomb and closed the entrance with a large stone.

On the third day, there was a great earthquake, the stone was rolled away from the tomb. Some women who loved Him came to anoint His body, and found the tomb empty. They were met by angels, who told them, “He is not here, but is risen; remember how he spoke to you when he was in Galilee, saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.  And they remembered his words” (Luke24:6-8) Following his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples in the upper room and  He showed them the wounds in His hands and His side. With his death, burial and resurrection, the plan of salvation was completed. He spent forty days teaching and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.  

Shortly after, Jesus is with his disciples and spoke of the power of the Holy Spirit to come. He taught them how the Holy Spirit would enable them to witness for Him wherever they went. When He finished speaking, He lifted His hands, blessed them and ascended into heaven.

Jesus is now in heaven interceding for all of mankind and preparing a place for His faithful followers. (I John 14:2-3) and one day He will return to judge the world. God will separate the faithful followers of Jesus Christ from those who lived in selfish unbelief.  He will receive those who have placed their trust in Him into the heavenly mansions He has prepared for them.

For those who love and follow Jesus, the Resurrection is vital to their understanding and celebration of their life in Christ. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead is the ultimate display of LOVE and HOPE!!  Death could not hold Him, He is alive! His death, burial and resurrection made a way for us to have a relationship with a Holy God and to ultimately spend all of eternity with him in heaven.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)