St James Missionary Baptist Church Wednesday Night Bible Study
EVENTS SURROUNDING THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS
There are a lot of questions people ask concerning Jesus’ resurrection, and all of them are not from skeptics; some of them are very good and legitimate questions. I am going to try to bring some clarity to one of the most asked questions: “WHERE WAS JESUS FROM THE TIME HE DIED ON THE CROSS UNTIL THE TIME HE WAS RESURRECTED?”
Many Believers seem to think that this a simple question with a simple answer . . . is it? There are some other events that took place surrounding Jesus’ death and resurrection that cannot be dismissed, but they need clarification instead; for instance:
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- “Today you will be with me in Paradise” Luke 23:43. Jesus assured the thief that He would be “With Him” in “Paradise” that day.
- “Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God.” John 20:17. Jesus had resurrected and definitely was not in the tomb. Jesus made it clear to Mary that He had not yet “Ascended” to His Father.
- “And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.” Luke 23:46 (KJV) If Jesus “Commended” His spirit to His Father, why did He say to Mary that He had not yet ascended to His Father?
When we look at these passages of scripture together, one can see where understanding is definitely in order. First, I believe that we must first remember what Jesus said to the people in the gospel of John 2:19: “Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up”. We know that Jesus was talking about His body; the temple that housed His spirit (expound).
Second, Jesus “Descended” into Hades: “He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit. 19 After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits.” 1 Peter 3:18-19. The Bible is still its best commentary. We need to spend more time reading the Bible, along with seeking GOD for the wisdom and understanding to “rightly divide” the word of God.
Thirdly, as explained in 1 Peter 3:18-19, Jesus’ spirit did indeed “Ascend” to His Father, but His body had not been made incorruptible yet:
“For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15: 53-54.
I know that this will not answer ALL questions as thoroughly as you want, but I do hope it has given you some clarification and illumination about some of your questions; and as always it is our intention to whet your spiritual appetites to the point where you will continue to seek god’s word for deeper understanding.