JUNE 30,  Matthew 28:1-10,  1 Corinthians 15:14

Death by crucifixion was certain. The person who was crucified could die from a few possibilities. A doctor, Jeremy Ward, at King’s College London puts it this way, “Suffocation, loss of body fluids and multiple organ failure. It wasn’t pleasant. The weight of the body pulling down on the arms makes breathing extremely difficult. In addition, the heart and lungs would stop working as blood drained through wounds.”

So Jesus really died after 6 hours on the cross. Some unbelievers claim that perhaps Jesus did not die on the cross but managed to stay alive and somehow escaped after that. However, the Bible tells us clearly that Jesus died. More than that, today’s passage tells us some loyal followers of Jesus went to the tomb three days after Jesus died, on the first day of the week (Sunday) and were shocked to experience an earthquake. They were even more terrified when an angel appeared to them! This magnificent creature rolled the huge boulder (big rock) away from the opening of the cave where the body of Jesus was laid to rest. And he did it to show that the tomb was empty, Jesus was no longer there, for Jesus had already risen!

If the death of Jesus is the end of the account, our entire faith would be useless. If Jesus died and stayed dead, there is no point being a Christian. What a privilege it is to know Jesus rose from the dead! That is why Paul the Apostle teaches in 1 Cor 15:14, “And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.”

Christians celebrate Good Friday to remember the death of Jesus. However, after today’s lesson, you would know why we also celebrate Easter Sunday, for if Jesus did not rise from the dead, our faith would be in vain. So where is Jesus now? He is heaven with God the Father waiting for us to be with Him forever and ever.

Thought: Thank God, Jesus is resurrected!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, it is so good to be reminded we serve a Lord who is risen from the dead. And where He now is, I would be too, someday. Please teach me to continue to continue to be a good Christian child and to be so grateful Jesus is alive in heaven! In His wonderful name I pray, Amen.