He Is Risen

 

  To set the stage, we will begin our study just after Jesus had performed one of His first and most remembered miracles. Turning the water into wine at a marriage ceremony in Cana of Galilee. After the wedding celebration, Jesus made a short stop at Capernaum (village of comfort), with His mother and brethren. After a few days, it was nearly time for the Jewish Passover celebration and Jesus headed down to Jerusalem to participate. When Jesus arrived at the temple, He found the merchants selling their goods (animals for sacrifice), along with the money changers. And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting: (John 2:14). Doesn't sound so bad; in fact, it was lawful to sell the animals for sacrifice and exchange money.

  So, what was the problem, and what was it that made Jesus upset when He saw this? Racketeers! Yes, these merchants and money changers were scamming the people. (The law required that all sacrificial animals should be without blemish). However, these guys were selling mite infested doves, and blemished animals for sacrifice at top price. The money changers were shorting the people for a fair exchange, and the priest were getting a kickback on all the action going down. Just a bunch of scammers! It looked like a big market place rather than a temple of worship. Sound familiar? (Many churches today are more like country clubs than houses of worship). "This really upset Jesus, and I am sure it still does today." How did He respond? And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; (John 2:15). Jesus made a whip from some ropes and chased them all out of the Temple. He turned over the money changers tables and drove out all the animals. (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15). And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. (John 2:16). Stop turning "My Father's House" into a marketplace, and den of thieves. This you could say was the beginning of Christ's ministry; His disciples remembered what He had just said, was written in the scriptures. And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. The "Passion for God's house will consume Me." (Psalm 69:9, Psalm 119:139).

  It was then when the Jewish leaders came to Jesus and were a little upset with what He just had done. They asked Him; Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? (John 2:18). "They wanted a sign to prove His authority." (What a mistake people make when they question Jesus). How does Jesus answer the Jewish leaders? (Here is what the subject of the study topic is). Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up. (John 2:19). They wanted a sign; there would be no greater sign than the one Jesus is speaking of here, but these guys didn't get it. They thought Jesus was talking about their constructed temple, but He was speaking of His body as the temple of God. "Destroy this Temple and in three days I will raise it up." False witnesses used this statement against Jesus later on, but they changed what He had said. (Matthew 26:60-61, Mark 14:58). Jesus never said "I would destroy the temple," but rather "you would destroy the temple." So, the temple that He would raise up in three days; and He did, was Himself. (The Temple of God). "Beware of false witnesses."

  Paul would explain to the Colossians that Jesus Christ is the temple of the full Godhead. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9). The full Godhead (The Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit), all rests in Christ. That's why we pray in Christ's name. He that has seen Jesus, has seen the Father. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? (John 14:9). We will even take this one step further. We as Christians are all part of the Temple of the Living God. Yes, your body is a temple for the Holy Spirit to dwell. (1 Corinthians 6:19).

  Yes, Jesus lives, because He is the resurrection and life. I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25). "Anyone who believes in Christ will live, even after dying." (John 5:21, John 6:39-40, John 6:44). All His children will be raised up in the last days. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? (John 11:26). Do you believe this?

  Jesus had been crucified and it was towards the end of the Sabbath day when He is risen. Early Sunday morning the two Mary's went to see the sepulcher. There was a great earthquake and an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and rolled back the stone from the doorway to the tomb. The angel knew they were looking for Jesus, so he took them in the tomb to see. But the angel said to the two women; He is not here, "He Is Risen." Then the angel of the Lord tells the two women to go and tell the disciples "He Is Risen," and will meet them in Galilee. The women departed to tell the disciples and behold, Jesus met them on the way. Jesus tells them not to be afraid and to go and tell the others to meet Him. (Matthew 28:1-10). What an awesome experience to witness the resurrection of Christ in person. We can all have part in the resurrection if we are believers.

  Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. (2 Corinthians 4:14). All that believe will be raised. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23). Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. (Romans 6:9). Death has no dominion over Christ, or us as believers. Why? Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil. (Hebrews 2:14). Christ destroyed the one with the power of death, "which is the devil."

  The apostle Peter would tell us. Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God. (1 Peter 1:21). Through Christ you have come to trust God, placing your faith and hope in God, because He raised Christ from the dead and gave Him great glory. Is your faith in God? As Christians, we must have faith and believe in Him. "He will never let you down." For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16). Anyone who lives in Christ and believes in Him will never die. (One of the most important scriptures in the bible). Now we can see how important it is that "He Is Risen!"

Keep The Faith,
Barton