Many of us probably can remember looking at those pictures to find where Waldo was. It could be difficult to find Waldo at times. Those pictures could get tricky. Then all of a sudden Waldo would appear before your very eyes, on the paper anyway! I want you to know Waldo wasn't the first person to disappear and then appear to others, so to speak, Jesus was!
Jesus told his disciples of his death and resurrection several times. Mt 16:21 It just didn't sink in the way it should. He made it clear that he came to die for mankind and rise again. Jesus did exactly as he said he would. That is known as the "good news" of the gospel. 1Co 15:3,4
The prophecy of Jesus' death (Isa 53:3-6 NASB) was to be pierced on a cross for our transgressions. That was done. He was buried, and after three days He rose from the grave. Now after Jesus had risen, the first thought was, "Where's Jesus?" The tomb was empty! Mt 28:6; Mk 16:6; Lk 24:3 The fact that He had risen, although it was prophesied, was hard to accept because much like today's society, if we can't see it, touch it, or hear it, IT DOESN'T EXIST!! Thomas said as much in Jn 20:25
Jesus understood that and He made sure after Hos resurrection he met all three and even met a fourth test! He was seen in Jn 20:26. He was touched in Jn 20:27,28. We know he was heard. The scriptures I just listed is a conversation between Jesus and Thomas. I'm just sayin... Jesus had know passed the see, touch, and hear tests. That wasn't enough because Jesus wanted them to be certain it was Him in the flesh. He even passed the "eating test." He asked for food in Lk 24:41-43 and ate it just to prove it wasn't a spirit in front of them it was Jesus in the flesh.
Not every believed Jesus had risen. The tomb was empty so the question again arose, "Where is Jesus?" (in reference to is dead body) Let's quickly look at the possibilities!
The first conclusion that we would come to is that the body was stolen. How many thefts or robberies to you know that are done very neatly? NONE! The thieves trash the place in an attempt to quickly get what they want. The goal is speed not neatness! I say this because This theft was nice and neat. When the disciples looked into the tomb the saw the linen clothes lying there. Jn 20:5,6. Remember, when Lazarus was raised he came out with the linens on him. Jn 11:43,44 So, where is Jesus? (body) Here are some options
The Jews stole it? NOPE! They would've produced the body while Peter was preaching to shut him up in Acts Chapter 2. They didn't want the people believing Jesus had risen if the y had the body in their possession!
The Roman Government stole it? NOPE! They would’ve produced it to stop friction between Jews and Christians. Also, there would've been a complete different response to Paul when he was before Felix(Acts 24) and Agrippa, who said, "in such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”(Acts 26) Agrippa would have said, "We have the body of your Jesus. He DID NOT raise from the grave."
The Roman Guard stole it? NOPE! How would they explain it to their superiors? Can you bribe a man when it is his life he is bargaining? Ac16:27 Guards were sentenced to death if their prisoners escaped. What guard really admits he had fallen asleep? What motive would they have for taking the body?
The disciples stole it? NOPE! How would they get past the Guards? They were already hiding in fear of the Jews. Jn 20:19 Why would they die for a lie? History says most of them were martyred.
The prophecy of Jesus' death (Isa 53:3-6 NASB) was to be pierced on a cross for our transgressions. That was done. He was buried, and after three days He rose from the grave. Now after Jesus had risen, the first thought was, "Where's Jesus?" The tomb was empty! Mt 28:6; Mk 16:6; Lk 24:3 The fact that He had risen, although it was prophesied, was hard to accept because much like today's society, if we can't see it, touch it, or hear it, IT DOESN'T EXIST!! Thomas said as much in Jn 20:25
Jesus understood that and He made sure after Hos resurrection he met all three and even met a fourth test! He was seen in Jn 20:26. He was touched in Jn 20:27,28. We know he was heard. The scriptures I just listed is a conversation between Jesus and Thomas. I'm just sayin... Jesus had know passed the see, touch, and hear tests. That wasn't enough because Jesus wanted them to be certain it was Him in the flesh. He even passed the "eating test." He asked for food in Lk 24:41-43 and ate it just to prove it wasn't a spirit in front of them it was Jesus in the flesh.
Not every believed Jesus had risen. The tomb was empty so the question again arose, "Where is Jesus?" (in reference to is dead body) Let's quickly look at the possibilities!
The first conclusion that we would come to is that the body was stolen. How many thefts or robberies to you know that are done very neatly? NONE! The thieves trash the place in an attempt to quickly get what they want. The goal is speed not neatness! I say this because This theft was nice and neat. When the disciples looked into the tomb the saw the linen clothes lying there. Jn 20:5,6. Remember, when Lazarus was raised he came out with the linens on him. Jn 11:43,44 So, where is Jesus? (body) Here are some options
The Jews stole it? NOPE! They would've produced the body while Peter was preaching to shut him up in Acts Chapter 2. They didn't want the people believing Jesus had risen if the y had the body in their possession!
The Roman Government stole it? NOPE! They would’ve produced it to stop friction between Jews and Christians. Also, there would've been a complete different response to Paul when he was before Felix(Acts 24) and Agrippa, who said, "in such a short time are you persuading me to become a Christian?”(Acts 26) Agrippa would have said, "We have the body of your Jesus. He DID NOT raise from the grave."
The Roman Guard stole it? NOPE! How would they explain it to their superiors? Can you bribe a man when it is his life he is bargaining? Ac16:27 Guards were sentenced to death if their prisoners escaped. What guard really admits he had fallen asleep? What motive would they have for taking the body?
The disciples stole it? NOPE! How would they get past the Guards? They were already hiding in fear of the Jews. Jn 20:19 Why would they die for a lie? History says most of them were martyred.
A random group of individuals stole it? NOPE! What motive would they have to do such a thing? How did they get passed the Roman Guards? They would have silenced witnesses who saw the resurrected Christ. 1Co 15:5-8
Jesus was not dead? NOPE! ? CONSIDER THE CONDITION JESUS WOULD'VE BEEN IN! How did he escape from the tomb after being on the cross? Remember he had holes in his hands and feet. How did he walk? How did he move that rock and get passed the Roman Guards? Keep in mind the disciples must not know about it because they sealed their testimony of Christ with their lives!
There is no other answer to "Where is Jesus" than HE IS RISEN! His resurrection gives us the hope of the same and takes any fear of death we may have. God be glorified!! So like I said earlier. Jesus was the first person to have some ask where he is.
WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
Hear The Word- Rom 10:17; Acts 4:4
We Must Believe or Have Faith- Heb 11:6; Acts 16:31
We Must Repent- Lk 13:3; Acts 17:30
We Must Confess Christ Before Others- Mt 10:32; Acts 8:37
We Must Be Immersed Into Christ (Baptized)- 1Pe 3:21; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38
We Must Remain Faithful- Rev 2:10; Acts 14:22
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