Do You Know Why Christ Lives?
Christians realize that Jesus was raised from the grave. But do
you understand what His resurrection and life mean to us today?
When Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea helped place His body in the tomb.
". . . There was a man named Joseph, a council member, a good and just
man. He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea,
a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.
This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then he took
it down, wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a tomb that was hewn out
of the rock, where no one had ever lain before" (Luke 23:50-53).
Three days and three nights later, just before sunset on the weekly Sabbath,
God resurrected Jesus from His grave (see "Does Easter Really Commemorate
Jesus Christ's Resurrection?," page 28). Coming to the tomb before dawn
the next morning, Mary Magdalene found it empty and beside it an angel
who explained that Jesus had been raised from the dead (Matthew 28:1,5-7).
Standing before the tomb, Mary lamented the loss of her Master and Teacher.
She noticed someone nearby she thought was the gardener and spoke to Him
about the body of Jesus: "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where
You have laid Him, and I will take Him away" (John 20:15).
