Posted on

Low in the Grave He Lay

We focus on the anguish Jesus endured from Gethsemane to Golgotha for us, and rightly so, but what must that somber Sabbath been like for His very confused and scared loved ones while “Low in the Grave He Lay” who didn’t know that soon He would rise (Luke 23:54-56)?

I. John 19:38-41.  Expectations were dashed.  He had just entered Jerusalem triumphantly, hailed by the crowd as the awaited Messiah in David’s line (Matthew 21:7-11).  But now it was over.  Death was so final.  Just prepare some spices before dark and rest … because it is the Sabbath.

Low in the grave He lay–Jesus, my Savior! Waiting the coming day–Jesus my Lord!

II. Matthew 26:62-66.  Enemies were vigilant.  They had just watched Him enter Jerusalem triumphantly and heard Him hailed as the awaited Messiah in David’s line.  Still they had managed to kill Him.  Now, how to secure the tomb lest His followers steal His body and claim that He’s alive?

Vainly they watch His bed–Jesus, my Savior! Vainly they seal the dead–Jesus my Lord!

III. Luke 24:1-14.  Excitement was building … but they didn’t know it!  Gloom to the tomb characterized the women’s trip early on the first day of the week.  Their only concern was who would move the stone for them as the soldiers weren’t likely to help.  But then, what’s this?  Where is He?

Death cannot keep his prey–Jesus, my Savior! He tore the bars away–Jesus my Lord!

He is risen!  How can that be?  The verses sung slowly and pianissimo (pp) give way to a chorus sung quickly and fortissimo (ff) as realization comes that Jesus has indeed overcome death.

Up from the grave He arose With a mighty triumph o’er His foes; He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever with His saints to reign: He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Posted on

In No One Else

God made a way for sins to be forgiven through Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.  Seeking opportunities to proclaim that gospel should be what is on every Christian’s mind every day.  For Peter this was true–even when he was hauled before the very group that had condemned Jesus.

I.  Acts 3:6-26.  For Peter, every encounter was an opportunity to serve in Jesus’ name.  So, when he saw a lame beggar, he healed him.  And, every interaction was an opportunity to tell the good news.  So, when an astonished crowd gathered, Peter proclaimed Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection, telling the crowd to repent!

Is this us?  Or, do we allow the petty power the world wields to stop us from serving in Jesus’ name and proclaiming that which might offend?

II.  Acts 4:1-18.  This didn’t set too well with those in worldly power, who seized him and made it sound like he had done something wrong.  Not to be shaken by how the world framed what he had done, Peter rightly describes their actions as calling him to account for showing compassion.  Then, he tells them the gospel!

Shrinking back, we even say things like “we’re not allowed …” or justify to ourselves that our audience wouldn’t be receptive to the gospel anyway.

III.  Acts 4:19-21.  Peter wasn’t motivated by the worlds threats, tactics, or persecutions.  He never reasoned that the Council couldn’t act because the people were all praising God!  Because he knew Godly power, he didn’t care what the world might do to him–only about lost souls who needed to hear the good news!

For us to adopt this perspective, we need to be transformed (Ephesians 4:20-24) and to die to sin and self (Romans 6:5-8) to know our salvation.

How frustrating it must have been to be the world in the 1st century and discover that threats and persecutions no longer worked on Christians who used everything the world had the power to do as an opportunity for the gospel and continued to serve in Jesus’ name (Acts 5:40-42)!  How can we similarly frustrate the world around us today?