From Russ’s Heart—                                                                                                             The bodily Resurrection

Nearly 2.000 years ago Jesus Christ, the Son of God was crucified among sinners, died, was  buried and rose again on the third day. Though many back then and also still today may reject that fact. Oh and by the way, the many back then, knew He died, they just did not believe that He was God’s son. Today even though original manuscripts are there to prove the facts of His death, they still live in unbelief of His  bodily resurrection.  As believer’s our hope is in the Resurrection, our Christian heritage and history lies in the fact that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead according to the scriptures. Knowing that the resurrection took place I would like to share some thoughts from God’s word on, why did the resurrection of Jesus Christ take place? First and foremost. It was God’s sovereign plan Ps. 16:10. Because you will not abandon my soul to Hades, nor allow your holy one to undergo decay. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22  But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. Secondly so that scripture would be fulfilled. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4  For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also  received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ⁴ and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. Thirdly, that there would be life after this life is over. "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not       overpower it.  The gates of hell would not prevail against the church. The gates of hell in Matthew 16:18 speaks of the gates of death. Jesus is speaking to Peter about life after death.  Hades, which corresponds to the Hebrew sheol, refers to the abode of the dead, never to hell. When a Christian dies his next home is in heaven. Hades or death cannot hold him in the grave, Why? Not because of what I’ve done!  My life was  given to the one who conquered death! So beloved you and I don’t have to be convinced that Christ was resurrected on the third day. We should already start proclaiming boldly Jesus bodily Resurrection. God who is sovereign, was in total control over the life of His own Son.  It is my prayer beloved that you and I would boldly proclaim the bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ. May you have an awesome Resurrection Sunday!