Resurrection Day

It seems appropriate on this day that we commemorate our Savior's resurrection to post some pictures and content related to that great event.

In Jerusalem is a place not far from the Damascus Gate that has been set aside to celebrate our Savior's resurrection in a less commercial style. Called the Garden Tomb and owned by an association from Great Britain, it serves as a place to remember our Savior's death, burial, and resurrection.

We cannot know for certain that Jesus died and was buried on that spot anymore than we can know for sure that his resurrection happened on April 4. But we can use the quiet spot to remember our Savior's great love for us.

"He is not here: for He is risen, as He said"

The Garden Tomb is set in the midst of a beautiful garden. Imagine the women coming early on in the morning on the first day of the week, wondering how to roll away the stone, and finding the stone rolled away from the tomb.

An angel announced to them: "He is not here: for He is risen, as He said." I like that last part especially, as He said. It reminds me that the Resurrection of Jesus was not an afterthought, something that God tacked on to His plan when He realized the magnitude of the finality of His Son's death. God always planned it with the Resurrection in mind. The Old Testament prophets testified to His resurrection. (see Luke 24:24-27 and John 12:34). Jesus told His disciples about the Resurrection well before His death (see Matthew 16:21). They just refused to believe.

"declared [to be] the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead"

And then when Peter and John entered the tomb later that day they found it empty without any bars or gates (like the Garden Tomb has). Well, it was not completely empty: they saw Jesus' grave clothes wrapped together neatly and lying there.

His Resurrection reveals to us His deity and His power.

"But for us also, to whom it [righteousness] shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification."

But all this should not simply be intellectually acknowledged. We must understand and believe that Jesus death, burial, and resurrection was for our sake. Without it, there would be no justification, no sanctification, no hope.

So rejoice with me today that He is risen, as He said!