Life of Christ Lesson 184a: The Dark Days {While Christ’s Body Lay in the Tomb}

Life of Christ Lesson 184b: Christ’s Proclaimation to Imprisoned Spirits! {What Christ Did While His Body Laid in the Grave}

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS HEARING THIS LESSON!  Not only do we discuss some of the early Resurrection Sunday morning activities at the tomb, but then we get into a deep discussion about what the Lord's soul was doing while His body rested!  What exactly did Peter refer to when he wrote that Christ "preached unto the spirits in prison" (I Peter 3:19)?  Does this mean unsaved, dead people in Hades were given a second chance for salvation?  Who exactly were "the spirits"?  What is the Greek word for "preached" (it's not what you might think)?  How is this passage connected to some horrific demonic activity that took place before the Flood (Genesis 6)?  Did the Lord's body see corruption in the tomb?  A LOT of INFORMATION you may never have heard explained before! In this lesson, we discuss the astonishment of the guard over the tomb, the angel of the tomb, and the arrival of the women at the tomb (to further anoint the Lord's wrapped body with spices).  There was a lot of activity at the tomb on that day, and it is only by putting together the accounts of all four gospels (which this study does) that we can learn the proper sequence of events (often not presented correctly).

Life of Christ Lesson 184a: The Dark Days {While Christ’s Body Lay in the Tomb}

Learn of the post-death actions of several women who remained at the crucifixion site of Christ until He gave up His spirit.  Learn, too, of the tender post-death acts of two very prominent religious rulers (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus, who boldly emerged from his secret discipleship).   In the early morning hours of the "high day" Sabbath, the chief priests joined with the Pharisees in a further attempt to discredit and destroy the name of Jesus.  He was dead, but they still were not satisfied.  They were so concerned about His continuing influence, they held an illegal Sabbath meeting and decided to again solicit the help of Pontius Pilate.  They wanted to make sure the Lord's followers did not turn His death into something even greater than His life had been.  Ha!  That was an impossible venture on their part!  Find out the extent they went to make sure the tomb was sealed tight (interesting how they did that) and well-guarded - and how all their foolish efforts only backfired on them to be used as further evidence of the reality of Christ's Resurrection!

Life of Christ Lesson 183b: Burial Preparations Fit for a King!

Two formerly secret disciples of Christ emerge just at the right time to provide the most respectable burial for the body of their Lord - and, of course, one that also fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.  If Jesus was not buried in a rich man's tomb, He would not have qualified to be Messiah (see Isaiah 53:9)!  Again, we find the amazing providence of Almighty God at work in such specific ways that ensure His Son was buried as the royal Prince He is, but also to fulfill His prophetic word! There is so much "meat" found in this study on Christ' burial (the method, the strip wrappings, the 100-pound mixture of costly spices, the head "napkin"), but here is just one truth to whet your hunger:  Wealthy, wise men (Magi) lavished their expensive gifts on Christ early in His life.  Wealthy, wise men (Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus) lavished their rich gifts upon Him at the end of His life!  Though "the world" rejected Him, nonetheless, He was and IS THE KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS.

Life of Christ Lesson 183a: Post-Death Providential Care

There is perhaps no single account in Scripture that gives more evidence of God's providence than the record of the circumstances relating to the after-death care and burial of the Lord Jesus.  This subject is often passed over quickly as something necessary, but not significant when compared to Jesus' crucifixion, resurrection, and post-resurrection appearances.  This is a mistake, for the gospel accounts on this matter contain astounding truths that present additional testimony to both the providence of God and the identity of Jesus as His true Son! If Christ had not given up His spirit when He did, His leg bones would have been broken.  He would not qualify as Messiah, for Exodus 12:46, Numbers 9:12, and Psalm 34:20 would not have been fulfilled by Him.  If He had not have been pierced through with a Roman spear, we would not know the actual physical cause of His death and how it fulfilled Psalm 69:20 (not the normal crucifixion deaths, which were either by exhaustion asphyxia or hypovolemic shock).

Life of Christ Lesson 182: Responses to Christ’s Death {It is Finished XII}

After the Lord Jesus commended His spirit into His Father's hands, there was immediately a series of four responses.  There was God's response by way of three miraculous phenomena: (1) the Temple Veil Tore from top to bottom (SO MUCH SIGNIFICANCE), (2) the earth quaked (HEAVEN'S "AMEN" TO CHRIST'S FINISHED WORK), and (3) certain select graves were opened (FOR THOSE INSIDE TO COME FORTH, LIKE LAZARUS, ON RESURRECTION SUNDAY AFTER CHRIST AROSE).  These were amazing miracles to testify of the magnitude of what had just been completed  by Christ on the cross - redemption for sin!!! Did you realize there were SEVEN CALVARY-related MIRACLES?  Can you name them? Also discussed in this lesson are three more reactions; human reactions:  (1) a Roman centurion expresses belief in Jesus as "the Son of God" (the penitent thief, a Jew, and the centurion, a Gentile, were cross-work "fruit" and witnesses of Christ's saving power); (2) the watching multitude were full of fear over all they witnessed.  In fact, they beat their breasts, which was a sign of fear and conviction of sin (good sign).  (3) The third human response came from the group of faithful women disciples of Christ who had remained at the crucifixion site (although "afar off") throughout His Passion.  They were confused and, needless to say, in deep grief.  ALL WOULD CHANGE FOR THEM (and for US) in just a few more days!  Halleluiah! This study in written form is found in our "Caldwell Commentary" series - "Life of Christ Vol. 8" (available through www.scripturetruth.com [http://www.scripturetruth.com]).