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THE PROMISE JESUS FULFILLS THE PROMISE WHY? Why was Jesus, the eternal Son of God, willing to leave the glory of heaven to come to earth? Why was he, who was rich, willing to become poor and live among men? The answer can be found in one word - LOVE! God the Father loved the world and sent his Son to live among us. Jesus so loved us that he willingly paid the price for our many sins by his suffering and death. Jesus certainly suffered for us. The religious leaders of his day desired to kill Jesus. They hated the message of forgiveness and love that he preached. They would not believe that he is the Son of God. Therefore with thirty pieces of silver they bribed one of Jesus' disciples, Judas, to betray the Savior. In a garden called Gethsemane, just outside the city of Jerusalem, where Jesus was praying, he was captured. He was taken to be tried before the religious court. He was condemned for saying he was the Son of God. But the Jews could not put anyone to death. Jesus was sent to the court of the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate. There Jesus was mocked. He was cruelly whipped and crowned with sharp thorns. Pilate wanted to release Jesus because he considered him innocent, but the crowd cried out, "Crucify him, crucify him." Jesus was crucified, that is, nailed to die on a cross, with two thieves just outside the walls of Jerusalem on a hill called Golgotha. While dying on the cross, Jesus spoke seven times. He spoke words of forgiveness for those crucifying him. He shows love by placing his mother, Mary, into the care of John, a disciple whom Jesus loved. He promised a place in heaven to one of the dying thieves. After suffering for many hours on the cross he cried, "It is finished." Jesus had completed the work he had come into the world to do. He had paid the punishment for all of the sins of all mankind including yours and mine by his innocent suffering and death. When Jesus died, the earth shook. The Roman army officer in charge of the crucifixion said, "Surely this was the Son of God." Jesus' friends buried him in a nearby tomb. A stone was rolled in front of the grave's door. The governor placed a seal on the rock, and a guard of soldiers at the entrance so no one could steal the body. But death nor guards could keep Jesus in the grave. Long before this and several different times he had told his disciples that he would rise alive from the grave. And so it was. It was early on a Sunday morning that today we know as Easter, when some women who followed Jesus walked to his grave. They wondered, "Who will roll away the stone?" But when they came near, the women saw the stone was rolled away. The guards were gone. What they saw was an empty grave. What they heard was the voice of an angel. The angel had a joyful message, "You are looking for Jesus. He is not here. He is RISEN as he said. Come and see where he lay and go quickly and tell the disciples that he is alive." What joy filled the hearts of the women, the disciples, and all that heard this message. Jesus, the eternal Son of God, who became a man to suffer and die in our place, has triumphantly risen from the dead. He is alive. For forty days Jesus continued to show himself alive to many people including over five hundred persons at one time. Then while raising his hands in blessing, in the presence of his disciples, Jesus slowly and majestically ascended into heaven. There he is with God the Father in the highest position of power and honor until he visibly comes again on Judgment Day. What joy should also fill your heart. Your Savior suffered and died for you. As your
substitute he bore the punishment for your sins. Jesus rose again to prove he is truly
God. Through his resurrection you are justified, that is your sins are forgiven. This is
the promise God makes to you today. May you share that promise. The angel told the women,
"Go and tell others that Jesus is alive." So may you also tell others the good
news that Jesus is alive and their Savior also. MATTHEW
CHAPTERS 27 AND 28 SPEAK OF JESUS' DEATH AND RESURRECTION.
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