Death Could Not Hold The King of kings and Lord of lords - Part 2334

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the Word of reconciliation." (II Corinthians 5:17-19)

Note then that the same God who descended from heaven is the same God who is now ascending to His Throne from whence He had descended. GOD Himself, becoming all things to all men so that He might gain some. In other words, God's plan of salvation was to rescue fallen man by means of His sacrifice -- so that you and I could be redeemed from our sins.

Thus, in so doing, God could renew and ensure the uninterrupted fellowship with JESUS -- both Lord and Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer -- the mystery of salvation that was intended from the beginning of time. So that God could restore each and every person to their original purpose through faith in the redeeming grace of God at Calvary.

What does this mean? JESUS, housed in a prone to sin flesh body was received whilst still in the womb of a surrogate mother named Mary. His flesh, as we read in the scriptures was capable of being tempted in all points even as all of Adam’s offspring. But as we also know, inside that flesh body did dwell the holy Spirit of God. To wit, God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself.

How? The Holy Ghost overshadowed Mary so that she could bring forth a son. This explains why -- as it is written, JESUS -- the only begotten son of God.

Yes, JESUS was conceived of the Holy Ghost which is why in JESUS' veins did flow the life-giving blood of His Spirit. It is written that God was in the man JESUS the Christ, endeavouring to reconcile sinful man to Himself. This is the mystery alluded to by apostle Paul -- the mystery that was hidden from the very beginning, and only now revealed through Jesus Christ. Indeed, God made a way of salvation when it seemed impossible. He opened the door for our hearts to engage in a personal relationship with Him, but to do so He had to become our Saviour. The veil torn from heaven to earth, from top to bottom.

Still, as recorded in the scriptures, JESUS' Spirit suffered. He was tempted and tried by the devil in the wilderness. Then JESUS was judged by the then present judicial system, who found in JESUS no fault. In effect, Jesus was pardoned. Free to go. But in response to the crowds, the presiding judge washed his hands as if to say, "I played my part ... now let's go home."

Pilate the judge then delivers JESUS into the hands of a frenzied religious mob who demanded that JESUS be crucified. JESUS was whipped, spat upon and stripped, and a crown of thorns placed upon His head. In the midst, His beard was torn. He was mocked and scorned, all of this occurring prior to JESUS being led away to a place called Calvary!

JESUS was also responsible for bearing the cross on which He was about to be crucified. JESUS now being physically weakened stumbled with the burden of the cross. He was assisted by a young man, arriving in a location called the place of a Skull. There the condemning crowd nailed JESUS' hands and feet to a cross. The cruel mocking continued with the eventual plunge of a sword into His side. From this wound poured blood and water. Indeed, as the scriptures reveal, JESUS' flesh was more marred than any other person!

Within this retelling of events, what we must recognize is that the body of JESUS, being the body in which the holy Spirit dwelt, was the point upon which the fury and wrath of sinful men expended all their religious/sinful animosity. In reality, the body by itself cannot feel. Rather, the pain is felt by the spirit in the body (For the body without the spirit is dead)

In retrospect, whatever was said and done to JESUS' body was factually absorbed by His Spirit -- the inward man -- the holy Spirit. In today's terms, yes indeed, it was our sinful nature that killed His body. Still, the good news of salvation is that we could not kill His Spirit.

Thus, the announcement that He is risen! Death could not hold the King of kings and Lord of lords.

In the end, heaven watched as the greatest love for anyone unfolded for one and all to see. If JESUS upon the cross had called for deliverance, we would not be reading this good news message. Still, when Jesus was nailed to the cross, the earth trembled and the sun darkened. For it is declared, that “Truly this WAS the Son of God."

Yes, GOD was in the man Christ Jesus and it was His Spirit that suffered through it all. Don't neglect God's plan of salvation wherein He paid the price for you and I so that we might have everlasting life.  His joy and peace dwelling within wherein we can rejoice in His goodness and mercy and grace. Today is the day of salvation!

Stand in the offering plate.