Christians have the assurance of eternal life

Christians have the assurance of eternal life in Heaven because of an empty tomb The tomb where Jesus was laid after His crucifixion death, only to be resurrected on the third day. No one is certain about the location of this tomb, but it does not matter because He was resurrected and no longer is in that tomb. And that introduction gives us the story of Easter, the most important event in a Christian’s life. Jesus came to Earth in an immaculate birth, to live as man, teach love of one another, then to die a horrible death crucified upon a cross, yet taking away the sins of the world, that if we just believe and ask Him into our lives, we would be granted eternal life in Heaven.

“Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?” Matthew 26:53-54

Throughout the Bible, we see life unfold in various events in a certain order and always with a reason. God’s plan worked through, not only what happened, but when and how these events happened. The order of these events illustrates the fulfillment of prophecies. This becomes apparent as events occurred prior to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Near the end of Jesus life here on Earth, the fulfillment of prophecies found Jesus at the Passover meal with his disciples. Here He explained how this meal represented not only the past, but also what was about to happen in the following days. 

Jesus knew that He was to make the ultimate sacrifice at the time of Passover. His broken body would be represented by the unleavened bread, and his blood in the cup and through his sacrifice, the prophecy has now been fulfilled. 

Later in the Garden of Gethsemane, He would pray this prayer, ““Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Luke 22:42. This in the presence of a grove of young olive trees, some that lived over 2000 years, which witnessed the soldiers take Him away. “And they began to accuse him, saying, ‘We have found this man subverting our nation. He opposes payment of taxes to Caesar and claims to be Messiah, a king.’” Luke 23:2 Through several trials, He was accused of blasphemy  

 But the council had no authority to sentence him to death, so they brought him to Pilate, who chose not to get involved in this religious dispute, so he sent Him to Herod where He was mocked and beaten. then sent back to Pilate. Pilate found no wrong but left it up to the crowd as they shouted, “Crucify him!” Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged and handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15:15). It was God’s will that Jesus die on our behalf to take away our sin. There was no stopping the plan of God, a path was being laid for the resurrection and the glorious hope of eternal life and triumph over the grave. “They came to a place called Golgotha (which means ‘the place of the skull’).” Matthew 27:33 Jesus was crucified on a hill known as ‘The Skull’ outside of Jerusalem. Eventually, “Jesus called out with a loud voice, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.’ When he had said this, he breathed his last.” Luke 23:46

The sky darkened and at that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the people exclaimed, ‘Surely he was the Son of God!’” Matthew 27:51-54. On the third day, the two Marys came to the tomb and an Angel of the Lord said, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!” Luke 24:5-6  The death and resurrection of Jesus shows God is real, that we have hope, He took our sins upon himself and is alive today. Romans 10:9 says that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

THE EMPTY TOMB

A young olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane,

Where Jesus came to pray,

Heard His fervent plea that His Father might set Him free,

And take the cup from Him this day.

‘Fore the setting of the sun, not My will but Yours be done, 

But the soldiers took Him away,

 He was sent to Pilate after many trials, with the crowd’s denials,

Pilate submitted to their sway.

Garments won with dies toss, taken to Golgotha’s Hill, and hung on a cross,

And all our sins He took away,

After dying, He was placed in a grave, the prophecy, our sins to save,

To give us hope, come what may.

The two Marys sought advice, then came bearing sweet spice,

They came the morning of the third day,

to find naught but burial clothes, from the grave He had arose,

For in the tomb, He would not stay.

But His command from there above, to one another share our love,

And spread His word every day,

Now He reigns with God on high, love to all to exemplify

And for His love we constant pray.

Ol’ Jim Cathey

Matthew 28:6   He is not here. He is arisen!

Romans 10:9    If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Happy Easter and God Bless America!