NO POWER COULD KEEP JESUS IN THE GRAVE
The resurrection of Jesus Christ after only three days in the grave represents the ultimate spiritual and physical victory in all human history. No power could keep him decaying in the ground! The creator and sustainer of the universe would never allow it. Note the prophesies regarding the Messiah's first coming.
Psalms 49:9 KJV 9 That he should still live for ever, and not see corruption.
Psalms 16:9-11 KJV 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. 10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Acts 13:34-35 NKJV 34 "And that He raised Him from the dead, no more to return to corruption, He has spoken thus: 'I will give you the sure mercies of David.' 35 "Therefore He also says in another Psalm: 'You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption.'
The forces of evil both spiritual and secular wanted Jesus to remain in the grave. They dispatched soldiers to guard the tomb but a vast spiritual victory was won when Jesus fulfilled the wavesheaf offering of the first of the first fruits to God. He was raised and restored to life to sit on the right hand of God. It happened just when the priests harvested the first of the early harvest and presented them to God. Jesus was resurrected at end of the Sabbath or the twilight ,well before sunrise.
John 20:1-2 NKJV 1 Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene went to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. 2 Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, "They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him."
Christ had already risen before the light of day. They could not touch him until he fulfilled the wavesheaf presentation of Himself to His Father in heaven.
Leviticus 23:10-11 NKJV 10 ... and reap its harvest, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 'He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted on your behalf; on the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it.
John 20:17 NKJV 17 Jesus said to her, "Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, 'I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.
Jesus allowed believers to touch him later that day so he must have presented himself at the real
throne of God at the appropriate time and day. He was the REAL wavesheaf offering just like he was the real Passover lamb. The Tabernacle was a copy of God's real throne in heaven which Jesus ascended to and presented himself. Satan has deceived the world undermining belief in the Old Testament. The death and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth gave believers the victory over death. We are saved from slavery to sin and its penalty, death. Unleavened Bread is part of the victory over slavery to sin and death. Israel gained freedom from Egypt consuming only Unleavened Bread because of the urgency of the exit.
Ephesians 2:5 NKJV 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Colossians 3:1-4 NKJV 1 If then you were raised with Christ, ...3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
Believers are the first fruits with Christ and will be raised from our graves at the second coming to enjoy victory over death. Jesus was the first of first fruits and we are the first fruits to this victory.
Colossians 1:27 NKJV 27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
The Apostle Paul in his letter covering the resurrection explains why it is the essential doctrine of our victory and salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:12-15 NKJV 12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. 14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
The resurrection is the most essential part of our faith - period! Many in that ancient world did not believe in any form of resurrection.
Acts 26:6-8 NKJV 6 "And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise …. For this hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. 8 "Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
Paul elucidates all the evidence for Christ being raised from the grave. He then explains:
1 Corinthians 15:20 NKJV 20 But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
Unleavened Bead is linked to the wonderful sacrifice and resurrection victory of Jesus.
1 Corinthians 5:7-8 NKJV 7 Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover,
was sacrificed for us. 8Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
Christ being raised from the grave was an astounding victory for eventually all mankind.
1 Corinthians 15:53-54 NKJV 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory."
Paul tells the church that death is eliminated for believers. Jesus has won the victory for us! Wow!
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NKJV 55 "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
While partaking of Unleavened Bread, believers should thank God for the victory over death provided by Father and Son.
