EASTER LESSON 3
AS HE SAID
“He is not here: for he is risen, as he said” (Matt. 28:6)
Happy Easter, beloved.
Ever before Jesus went to the cross to make the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation of mankind, He had told his disciples that he will resurrect on the third day after he lay down his life in death. “For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly, so shall the son of man be three days and three nights in Heart of the earth” (Matt.12:40)
After the crucifixion, Jesus was lowered into the tomb and a heavy Stone rolled and covered the entrance to it. The following day the chief Priest and the Pharisees connived and went and obtained authorisation from Pilate to ensure that the tomb was adequately secured. Their fear was that the disciples of Jesus could come in the night and steal his body to give an impression that “this deciever” as they described Jesus had resurrected as he claimed he would while still alive. And they didn’t want to take chances to allow the disciples do what would authenticate the claim of their master. They got Pilate’s approval. “So they went and made the tomb secured by putting a seal on the stone and posting a guard” ( Matt. 27:62-65)
From the above account it is obvious that those who crucified Jesus didn’t believe he could resurrect from the death, so they did their best to discredit him and confirm their claim that he was indeed a deceiver. They did whatever was humanly possible to frustrate his claim of being able to rise from the death. But thanks be to God that no one can stop the plan of God. Not even the devil can stop God’s plan and purpose. Once he purposes to do a thing, no one can stop him ( Isaiah 14:24). Numbers 23:19 says “God is not a man that he should lie…” Jesus asserts “Heaven and hell shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35), meaning that whatever he says must surely come to pass.
Interestingly, in spite of the effort to stop Jesus from making good his claim, the Bible says that at dawn after the Sabbath, on the first day of the week, (Sunday morning) exactly the third day as Jesus said it would happen. “There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven… rolled back the stone and sat on it” (Matt. 28:2). The lightening that accompanied the earthquake caused the guards posted to secure the tomb to be as dead men, thus unconscious of the resurrection. In verse 6, the greatest news was broadcasted to the women who went to visit the tomb of Jesus that early morning. The Angel told them ” He is not here, he is risen”. Hallelujah! Death could not hold the one who has the keys of death and hell ( Rev. 1:18).
When it was time for Jesus to resurrect, nothing on earth could stop him. He rose triumphantly from the death – just as he said. And if nothing could prevent Jesus from rising from the death, if the plot of men to stop him from doing what he said, if it was impossible for the grave to hold Jesus back, as a child if of God, a believer in Jesus, nothing will stop God’s plan for your life either. It doesn’t matter the intensity of the opposition or challenges, you will fulfill purpose. You will be what God destined you to be. Whatever God has spoken concerning you will surely come to pass in the name of Jesus.
Beloved, the lesson from today’s message is: No matter what effort the enemy makes to stop God’s plan and purpose, it will come to nought. His plan plan and purpose will always prevail. Whatever God says will certainly become a reality in spite of all odds.
In conclusion, let’s remind ourselves that before Jesus went to the Cross, he had left a very crucial promise with his disciples. He told them not to let their heart be troubled, that in his Father’s house, there are many Mansions, that he was going there to prepare a place for them, and to come again. (John 14:1-3).
This promise is also for us, present day disciples of Jesus Christ. The pertinent question is whether we’re prepared for that imminent event. Just as what Jesus said concerning his resurrection came to pass as he said, this very promise will also become a reality some day. The Bible says that it will happen like a thief in the night (1Peter 3:10). Are you ready?
May we be prepared so that we’ll not be taken unaware when it does occur.
If you are not in a relationship with Jesus, you can do that now, right away. Open your heart and invite him in. That is the first step of getting prepared for him.
God bless you.
Maranatha!
Rev Akpan is the founder of Faith Activation Ministry, based in Lagos, Nigeria, in partnership with the Ministry Of the Word (MOW)