SUNDAY July 2, 2023

Christ Raised from the Dead

“And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. But God raised Him from the dead.”
Acts 13:28-30

The Jews condemned Jesus to death. He was innocent! There was no cause to have Him killed. Even in their wicked plot to have Him killed, Scriptures were still being fulfilled. In fact, over 300 Scriptures in the Old Testament were fulfilled in His First Coming. Jesus’ death was foretold with pinpoint accuracy:

Psalm 22 describes the tremendous suffering of our Savior on the Cross:

I am poured out like water, and all My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me. My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws; You have brought Me to the dust of death (Psalm 22:14-15).

For dogs have surrounded Me; the congregation of the wicked has enclosed Me. They pierced My hands and My feet; I can count all My bones. They look and stare at Me. They divide My garments among them, and for My clothing they cast lots (Psalm 22:16-18).

Isaiah 53 describes Jesus’ silent agony and the purpose for His death:

He was oppressed and He was afflicted, yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth (Isaiah 53:7).

...He poured out His soul unto death, and He was numbered with the transgressors, and He bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12).

The Jews thought they were rid of Jesus. They referred to Him as a deceiver and had His tomb sealed and guarded, knowing that Jesus had said: “After three days I will rise” (Matthew 27:62-64). They tried their best. But God raised Him from the dead. What good news!

Jesus Christ is God in human flesh, and the story of His life, death, and resurrection is the only Good News the world will ever hear.
~Billy Graham~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!