Tombs For Rent!

Mark 16:6

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent” starring, the Merchant, and the Inquiring Gentleman! I’m your host, “HolyEll”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(Recently, Jesus had been resurrected from Joseph’s new tomb, and word spread throughout all the land. A certain merchant who sold tombs heard the news, then sought to make a profit from those who followed Jesus’s example.)

Merchant: Come, see my newly renovated tombs, the likes of which none have ever been buried in before!

(Men and women pass by, ignoring the voice of the merchant.)

Merchant: People, precious people, I have the best tombs available for rent. But if you act fast, I can be convinced to lower my rates, significantly.

Merchant: Hey sir! Sir! May I borrow a moment of your time?

Inquiring Gentleman: Greetings. Does your sign actually read, “Tombs For Rent”? Is this a joke or something?

Merchant: Ha ha haaaa. Kind sir, have you not heard the news?

Inquiring Gentleman: Apparently not, so enlighten me.

Merchant: There was a man called Jesus, who was said to be the Savior of the Jews. Well, he was brutally crucified, and his body was placed in the tomb right over there! If you haven’t noticed, he’s no longer there!

Inquiring Gentleman: Come again?

Merchant: You heard correctly, he’s gone! Some say his disciples came in the night and stole his body, but whatever the case, I’ll rent my tombs to all who plan on dying and being resurrected, or having their bodies stolen in the night.

Inquiring Gentleman: You can’t be serious… wait, you are serious.

Merchant: Hey, a man’s gotta work to eat, so I’m working, because I like to eat.

Inquiring Gentleman: Who do you actually expect to rent a tomb?

Merchant: Good question. I guess all those people who followed after Jesus, and believed in his words that someday they too will be raised up from the grave.

Inquiring Gentleman: Ahh, you’re referencing 1 Thessalonians chapter 4 that says, “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:”

Merchant: Umm… yeah, sure… right that’s it. Anyhoo, I’d like to offer you a great deal on this tomb behind me. It’s one of a kind, and very spacious.

Inquiring Gentleman: Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll pass. Hope business goes well for you.

Merchant: Your loss sir. People, people come, see my beautifully spacious tombs for rent. Don’t let the price scare you to death… get it?!

(People continue to avoid the merchant, while passing by, as he furthers his advances to rent his tombs.)

According to the book of Hebrews, everyone will have an appointment with death, and we will all return to the same dust we were made of. For those who have accepted Jesus as their Savior, the grave will not be their final resting place. But, to all who refuse and reject Christ’s salvation, they’ll suffer not only a natural death, but a spiritual one also.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “Tombs For Rent”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

Bread Of Life

Luke 24:13-16, 22-35

After walking with the two disciples for a while, and expounding unto them in all the scriptures, the things concerning Himself, the mystery stranger decided it was time for him to go further and continue his journey. But, the men held him back, and asked that he stay with them, because it was already late in the day. So, the mystery stranger accepted, and the men went into the nearby village to sit and eat. While gathered together for supper, the mystery stranger took bread, blessed it, brake it, then gave to the men with him. Immediately, the eyes of the men were opened, and they recognized it was Jesus who was with them the entire time! Then, Jesus vanished out of their sight! He literally disappeared from before the disciples. Wow! To add to their already heightened levels of excitement, the men said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” All their doubts, worries, and feelings of sadness instantly vanished also, after witnessing the risen Savior for themselves.

In the same way Jesus presented the bread to the men who sat with Him, His own body was presented in a like manner to the world. God took His Son, blessed Him, allowed Him to be scourged and persecuted, then presented Him to the world with the opportunity to receive new life and spiritual restoration through His redemptive blood. Jesus is the bread of life, and only through Him, can our souls be saved. Like the two men in our text, we too should get excited from the Word of God, and allow it to motivate us to share with others, the truth and saving power it holds. Let the resurrection story of Jesus Christ restore the joy of God’s salvation back into your heart, and move you to grow in godliness daily.

Perplexed And Wondering

Luke 24:1-12

Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, Salome, and other women witnessed Jesus breathe His last breaths from the blood-stained cross. It’s rather unfortunate how Jesus’ disciples hid away from fear of the Jews, while a handful of loyal women stood by the side of the suffering Savior, until the end of His assignment. These same women also followed closely, as Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus carried the lifeless body of Jesus to a tomb, where they assumed His body would remain forever.

On multiple occasions, Jesus told those who followed Him the details of His Father’s plan, but for some reason, they could not grasp the simplicity of His words. Jesus’ message to His followers literally went in one ear, and out the other, in the same way many today disbelieve He’ll return a second time to gather the Saints. A few days after the two men placed the body of Jesus in a tomb, the same women who witnessed His death and burial, returned, bringing spices prepared for His body. Bringing spices to a tomb could be compared to bringing flowers to a grave in our day, as a sign of love and respect for the deceased. To their surprise, the women arrived at the tomb to see the stone that sealed the entrance rolled away. First of all, they should have been home with their family and friends during this time, waiting and anticipating the risen Savior’s arrival, but they believed He was still laying lifeless in the tomb.

After witnessing an empty tomb and wearing a perplexed look on their faces, the women were greeted by two angels, who reminded them of Jesus’ words. Then, they remembered, and their faith was restored. The women hurriedly sought out the disciples, to tell them the great news. Unfortunately, when they arrived and told the men what they experienced, the disciples didn’t believe their words, just as the women disbelieved before being reminded by the angels. How could the men who were closest to Jesus, not believe what He had told them plainly, and on multiple occasions?

Can you relate to the women and disciples in our lesson, who heard the Word, but failed to believe it? Are there moments in your life, when your feelings supercede the infallible and unadulterated Word of God, that speaks truth alone? How often do you take Scripture for what is says, without doubting; believing that what’s written, will come to pass? God’s Word is truth, and those who live by it will avoid harboring worry and doubt, concerning the things He promised. Build your faith and confidence in God, and stand firm knowing that His Word shall not return unto Him void, but it shall accomplish that which He please, and it shall prosper in the thing where He sends it.

Rolling Stone

Matthew 28:1-10

The stone that secured the tomb where Jesus’ body was laid, was not rolled away by the disciples, whom the chief priests and Pharisees assumed would steal the body away, but by an unexpected visitor from Heaven. The angel of the Lord removed the stone, so that others could see that Jesus had indeed risen from the dead, as He boldly prophesied. History records that stones made to secure tombs were an average of a few tons, and while it was task rolling it into place to cover the opening, it was even more difficult to remove it. Fortunately, God sent an angelic being with powers beyond normal men, who entered earth’s atmosphere, causing a great earthquake, then easily rolled the stone away and sat on top of it, until the women who followed Jesus arrived. God knew the disciples and women who followed Jesus still didn’t believe, nor understand the words He spoke concerning His resurrection, so He had a plan to make certain all their doubts would be removed.

Don’t Forget

Luke 24:5-10

“The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be slain, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:22). “Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered into the hands of men.” (Luke 9:44). “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem, and all things that were written by the prophets concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished. For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles, and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated, and spitted on: And they shall scourge him, and put him to death: and the third day he shall rise again.” (Luke 18:31-33).

On multiple occasions, Jesus warned His followers of the horrible things that were destined to happen to Him. He made mention that He would be rejected by those who were supposed to support Him, beaten, mocked, bruised, scourged, and even put to death. But, He never left out the most fascinating of all prophecy; He would rise again, after death!

Our text references the tail end of Jesus’ brief, yet impactful ministry, and also rings some very alarming bells. Following His death, Jesus was taken from the cross and placed in Joseph’s unused tomb. Days following the Savior’s death, the women who had followed Jesus and witnessed His burial, had prepared spices and ointments to use on the body of their loving teacher, while the disciples were keeping themselves out of sight. Ding! Ding! Ding! Helloooooo! Did these folk forget what Jesus had told them, time and time again? Apparently so. But, how could they be in the very presence of Jesus, witness miracles done by His hand, yet forget the most important message He ever told them; “and the third day, He shall rise again.” What purpose was there to prepare spices and ointments, if the Son of man would rise from the tomb? Why hide yourselves from those who were responsible for the death of Jesus, if you knew He would be dead only three days? The disciples and those who followed after Jesus weren’t distracted by Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, or any other media source, but were fully focused on the prophetic events that took place during their time. I can understand if they were with Jesus during the 21st century, when men are so easily beguiled, but there was hardly anything happening to take their focus off Jesus’ words (that’s just my opinion).

How could they so easily forget that Jesus would rise again? Maybe they thought it was a fairytale, or that Jesus meant something else, or they possibly just didn’t believe. For this reason, God already had a someone in place to remind the people, His Son was indeed raised from the dead. Do you believe what the Bible teaches, or do take in some parts, and disbelieve others? All verses of Scripture are interconnected, and the root of every text is Jesus. The Words of God were written for our instruction, whether we think they are fairytale or not, but despite what we believe, all Scripture will soon be fulfilled.

Do You Really Believe?

1 Corinthians 15:1-8, 12-14, 20-23, 42-45

Do you really believe in the resurrection of the dead? Are you totally convinced, the God who created everything, came to the earth in a flesh body, lived sinless among men, was beaten beyond belief for preaching the Gospel, took on the sins of those same men, as He willingly allowed them to nail Him to a wooden cross, and be left to die, so that everyone could be pardoned of all their iniquities?

When you tell others about Jesus, are you certain that the message you render, is mirrored by the way you live? Thinking from a carnal perspective, it would seem senseless, and futile, to believe that a man could live sinless, let alone be resurrected from the grave. But, thinking with the mind of Christ, makes it clear to understand, God has the power to do anything!

It’s hard to convince a man to believe in God, when we have yet to fully believe Him for ourselves, but when our lives are dedicated to pleasing the Father, our witness gains a more solid foundation, on which to boast in the Lord. In our text, the apostle Paul dealt with members of the Corinthian church, who refused to believe in the resurrection of the dead, despite eyewitness accounts of the resurrected Jesus. It’s hard to disprove hard evidence, especially when more than 500 people testify the same message.

Those who refuse to believe that Jesus rose from the grave, with all power, will struggle with facing death for themselves, because they’ll contemplate the fear of not knowing what will happen after they die. But, those who are in God, can rest assured, when they die, there’s a spiritual body awaiting them, as they transition to their new, and glorious home.

Walk in love,

Ell

Where Did He Go?

Mark 16:1-8

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to another exciting episode of, “Where Did He Go?!” Starring, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

Mary Magdalene: (Knock! Knock!) Hey Mary, are you ready? We brought all the sweet spices you asked for, to anoint the body of our dear Jesus.

Mary Mother of James: Good morning ladies. I’ll be out in just a moment.

Salome: Hey, do you think we got the right spices?

Mary Magdalene: Yes Salome, I’m certain. I’m just really nervous about this entire situation.

Salome: What are you nervous about?

Mary Magdalene: Well, you know…Jesus being severely beaten, for only doing what was right, and not one of His disciples did anything to help Him.

Salome: I’m still baffled about that one as well. Maybe they were afraid of being hung on a cross as well. In any case, Jesus said He would be resurrected in three days, so why are we even going to the tomb.

Mary Mother of James: Ok girls, I’m ready. Let’s go now while the sun yet rises. What were you two discussing.

Salome: We were wondering…

Mary Magdalene: Oh nothing Mary! Salome shhh…

Mary Mother of James: I’ve been thinking ladies, we are not strong enough to roll away the heavy stone, blocking the sepulchre. How will we reach His body?

Mary Magdalene: That’s a good question.

(The women approach the tomb)

Salome: Mary! Mary! Look! The stone has been rolled away!

Mary Mother of James: This is very unusual, but let’s go see inside.

(The women scream, surprised to see a man sitting, and clothed in a long, white garment)

Mystery Man: Woah woah! Calm down ladies. I know who you’re looking for, but He’s not here. It may sound hard to believe, but Jesus, who was crucified, has risen. Look at the place where He was laid.

Mary Mother of James: Oh my goodness! It was true. Everything He told us, was true.

Mary Magdalene: He has risen, just as He said He would.

Salome: (Speechless)

Mystery Man: Yes, all His words were truth. By the way, He wanted me to leave you ladies a message. On your way back, tell all His disciples, and Peter, He’ll meet them in Galilee, as He told you (Mark 14:28)… just in case you forgot.

(The women went out quickly, fled, were amazed/in shock, and speechless)

Mary Mother of James: (Speechless)

Mary Magdalene: (Speechless)

Salome: (Speechless)

Why was it so hard for those who followed Jesus, to believe that what He said, was true. Had the women believed He would rise in three days, they wouldn’t have prepared spices to anoint His body. Had the disciples believed, they probably wouldn’t have cowered in fear.

This miraculous moment took place thousands of years ago, but Jesus also said He would soon return to the earth, to gather His people. Will you be like the disciples, and faithful women, who heard the words of Jesus, yet didn’t believe? Or, will you take Christ at His word, and prepare yourselves to meet Him in the air? There won’t be a second chance after His second coming.

Walk in love,

Ell

Mary meets Jesus outside the tomb

John 20:11-18

Have you ever heard of a grave or tomb being used twice? Well, neither have I. When a person dies, where their body is laid, is usually where it will be forever, but the tomb where the body of Jesus was placed would only occupy the space for three days, then it could be reused by whomever desired it.

Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus had to rush and bury Jesus’ body before the special Sabbath began at sunset Wednesday to sunset Thursday. They were unable to complete the anointing process of His body due to the coming of the sabbath, so they wrapped the body in linen clothes with spices, as the Jews typically prepared bodies for burial. Days later, Mary, and the other Mary (as the text reads), came early in the morning while it was still dark, to the tomb. Matthew’s account goes in-depth, and reveals that as the women approached the tomb, there was a great earthquake, as the angel of the Lord descended from Heaven, and rolled back the stone from the door and sat upon it. The appearance of the angel was so fascinating, until it scared the keepers of the tomb nearly to death. The women were reassured that Jesus had risen, as He said, and showed them where His body was laid. In John’s book, we read where Jesus told Mary not to touch Him, because He had not yet ascended to His Father, but the book of Matthew shows us where He had returned from His post resurrection ministry, and allowed the women to worship at His feet. Jesus told the women to not be afraid, and instructed them to go tell His brethren to meet Him in Galilee. Jesus no doubt used this endearing term to let His disciples know that He would not hold a grudge against them for their past behaviors and unbelief, because all their past was forgiven and forgotten forever.

This same redemption is readily available to all who accept Christ into their hearts today. Jesus’ death and resurrection was a plan set by God that satan didn’t see coming. While Satan was certainly more brilliant than any human on Earth, he isn’t omniscient or omnipresent, and totally missed what Jesus was planning to do. Salvation is what redeems men back to God, and the enemy hates it. Let’s try celebrating this Easter season different, by excluding all the bunnies and baskets of sweet treats, and focus on the true meaning of the day. Just as Mary and the others were overjoyed at the sight of the resurrected Savior, we too should give glory, honor, and praise to the One who died, was buried, and arose so that we could be relevant again in the eyes of the Creator.

Walk in love,

Ell

Guards secure the tomb

Matthew 27:62-66

There are many who downplay the death of Jesus on the cross, because as God in the flesh, they believe that His suffering wasn’t as bad as it would have been for a normal person. On the contrary, Jesus felt the excruciating pain of every whip, slap, beating, stabbing, crown of thorns, and nails in His hands and feet. Yes He was the Son of God, but His flesh was as real as a 100 dollar bill.

As Jesus hung on the cross, His strength began to quickly fade as the hours went by. The soldiers sat and watched Jesus as He suffered, and continued to mock Him. Darkness covered the land for three hours, then all of a sudden, Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me”? This was a rather interesting thing to say, because there had to be some form of disconnect between Jesus and His Father, to evoke Him to say such words. Could it have been that bearing the sins of all mankind carried such a stench, until God couldn’t stand to embrace His Son for a moment? I’m not certain, but only assuming. Something happened that left Jesus feeling alone, and whatever it was, it didn’t last very long, because after He gave up the ghost, the power that rested in Him began to manifest before the eyes of all those near Golgotha. In an instant, the veil that covered the place into which the high priest went to atone for the sins of the people was torn in two, from the top to the bottom. The whole earth began to quake, or shake and tremble, causing the rocks to break apart. These events troubled the men in the area, and caused them to finally see that Jesus was truly the Son of God.

It’s uncertain where Jesus’ disciples were during these moments, but there was a follower in particular, who made it his business to provide a proper place to lay His body. There was a rich man from Arimathaea named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus, who begged Pilate for Jesus’s body. His intentions were to lay the body of Christ in a new tomb, that he had hewn out in the rock. Others watched, including Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Joses, as Joseph and others placed Jesus’ body in the tomb, then rolled a great stone over the entrance. So, it was done. Jesus died, and fulfilled His mission, but guess who remembered His words concerning rising in three days? No, not the disciples, but the Pharisees and chief priests! They were afraid that the disciples of Jesus would steal His body away after three days, proving that His word was true, so they initiated a watch to guard the tomb until the third day. They also reinforced the tomb entrance by stretching a cord across the stone and an official seal with clay was fastened at each end, so it could be detected if the grave was opened or tampered with. These guys were something else, and never failed to prove how lost they were. What the men were oblivious to, was the fact that Jesus could lay down His life, and had the power to take it again. No matter how secure the men made the sepulchre, it would never be enough to keep the resurrected Christ bound.

Walk in love,

Ell

I am the resurrection and the life

John 11:17-27

Reading the Bible, can at times, be more entertaining than watching a Hollywood film. Jesus was, and is the Master teacher, Messiah, and Son of the living God, but His disciples didn’t fully grasp His concepts of power and redemption too well, until after His death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus and His disciples had fled from Judea in the previous chapter, because the Jews attempted to stone Him for apparently speaking blasphemy. They felt that Jesus being a man, was in error for considering Himself God. Jesus kindly corrected them with their own laws, then fled the scene, because the wicked Jews ignored the truth, in favor of their evil motives.

While settling in with His disciples beyond Jordan, a messenger sent by Mary and Martha brought word to Jesus that His friend Lazarus, whom He loved, was sick. The average person who hears news of a sick friend would immediately make an attempt to visit, or contact them in some way, but Jesus played things a little different from ordinary folk. Rather than simply pack His bags and hurry toward Lazarus, Jesus decided to wait a few more days, not out of neglect, but to allow more time to pass so He could demonstrate His love and power to a greater degree. Some may consider Jesus a show-off, but He was far from that. The world He lived in was wicked, and full of evil, and they needed to see a real power that could not only rival sin, but could put it away forever.

After breaking the news to His disciples, Jesus prepared to go and visit His friends Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, but the disciples reminded Him how a few weeks before, the Jews sought to kill Him. Jesus explained to them that He had everything under control, and that Lazarus was only sleeping, and He would go to wake him up. The disciples weren’t tuned in too well in the Spirit, as they assumed Lazarus was literally sleeping, and that he would be alright. Here’s another moment where Jesus shook His head at the disciples and told them plainly, “Lazarus is dead” (vs.14). Going back to Bethany exposed Jesus to possible death, but He and His disciples set off to show men the power the comes from the God of Heaven, and earth.

As Jesus neared the town where His friends were, Martha heard, and ran to meet Him. No doubt in tears, Martha told Jesus that if He had been there, Lazarus would not have died. While this may have been true, what more of a miracle would it be to raise a man from the dead, than to heal him of a sickness. Jesus already knew that His plan was to raise Lazarus from the dead, because He made sure not to come until four days had passed. Men were considered definitely dead after three days in the grave, so adding an extra day made Lazarus’ death a bit more certain. Going back to the beginning of this chapter, Jesus explained the situation in its entirety, yet no one paid attention, because everyone allowed their emotions to overshadow everything else. Jesus said in verse four, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.” God was going to allow a temporary death, so that His glory could be manifested by a resurrection. Jesus would soon face His death as well, but His resurrection would come with power, love, and redemption for all mankind.

Walk in love,

Ell