April 19, 2025
The greatest event in human history was the death and resurrection of Jesus. The Resurrection is not only the most important message of the New Testament, but it is also the good news for disciples awaiting the final consummation.
During the last days of Jesus’ life, He was scorned, beaten, mocked, condemned, and crucified. His torture was so horrific that Jesus was not recognizable as a man.
Darkness came over the entirety of the land at noon. The fact that the darkness occurred at Passover means the darkness was not the result of a solar eclipse. Passover occurred at full moon. Many Bible scholars postulate that the darkness was a sign of God’s judgment on human sin.
As our sin-bearer, Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” Witnesses of the crucifixion misunderstood and thought Jesus called for Elijah to help. Perhaps the darkness and Jesus’ cry of abandonment show not only the physical suffering of Jesus but also His emotional suffering as He bore our sins upon the tree (1 Pet. 2:24). The greatest evidence of God’s love was the death of Jesus on the cross.
How does an understanding of Jesus’ suffering influence your appreciation of salvation?
Jesus was not a mere victim of death. Jesus gave His life for us and our salvation.
When Jesus died, He cried with a loud voice and stopped breathing. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. No human being could have torn the veil because it was 4 inches thick.
Why was the curtain of the temple torn in two? In my opinion, the most likely reason was that the veil prohibited entrance into the Holy of Holies. Only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, which was behind the curtain.
Because of the death of Jesus, all believers have access to God since Jesus is our High Priest.
How did Jesus demonstrate His authority even as He died on the cross?
Because of the haste with which the body of Jesus was entombed, three ladies — Mary Magdalene, Salome, and Mary the mother of James — brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body.
The three ladies had not performed the washing and anointing of Jesus’ body immediately because they did not want to violate the Sabbath. The ladies must have been emotional. They did not know how they would unseal the tomb and roll the stone away from the entrance.
Mark notes that the large stone had been rolled away prior to their arrival. Upon entering the tomb, the women saw a young man in a white robe, and they were fearful.
The young man commanded the ladies to go tell the disciples and Peter that they would meet Jesus in Galilee. Why was Peter singled out? Perhaps it was because Peter had denied Jesus the night before the crucifixion.
The ladies ran from the tomb, astonished and overwhelmed. Was their fear a response to the possibility that someone stole the body of Jesus — a not uncommon reality in first-century Palestine? This man — likely an angel — had commanded the ladies not to be afraid; the body of Jesus was not stolen. Jesus had risen!
What impact does the empty tomb have on your life each day?
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This lesson was written by Mark Rathel, pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in DeFuniak Springs, Fla., and originally published by The Baptist Paper. This study is based on the Explore the Bible curriculum from Lifeway Christian Resources. The Sunday School lesson outlines are provided by Lifeway.
