I remember the time my wife and I went on a trip to Israel and we saw many wonderful things like the Dead Sea, Sea of Galilee and City of Jericho.
We spent a good deal of time in Jerusalem, and I was impressed with the city.
We visited the Wailing Wall, the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives.
But two things that really caught my attention were a nearby hill that looked like a giant skull and a nearby empty tomb.
Matthew 27:33-37 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots. 36 Then they sat down and kept watch over him there. 37 And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”) It may or may not be the tomb where they laid Jesus Christ after His crucifixion on the cross.
The Bible and Jesus Himself foretold His death and His resurrection from the grave.
Matthew 28:6-7 He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.”
(see also Mark 8:31, 16:1-16) His close friends went to the tomb where they had laid Him, and He was not there. Shortly, He appeared to many and at one time to over 500, (1 Corinthians 15:6).
He was not a ghost or a departed spirit as He ate fish with the disciples, (Luke 24:36-49).
His death or shed blood made the only way our sins could be forgiven, and His bodily resurrection from the grave was evidence that His offering for us was acceptable to God.
Romans 4:24 & 25 but for ours also. It will be counted to us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord,... who was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification. (See also Romans 5:6-11).
Just as He had victory over death, all of us that have accepted or believe in Him will live in Glory forever with Him, (John 3:16-18, Romans 10:9-13, 1 Peter 1:3-9).
See you in Church next Sunday.