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Volume 33   Number 16 Apr 19, 2009

        Matthew 28:1-10: Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. And the guards shook for fear of him and became like dead men.
        But the angel answered and said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for He is risen as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you."
        So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to bring His disciples word. And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Rejoice!" And they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me."
        Let's look at eight important things spoken of in these scriptures.
        (1) The first thing (at dawn) on the first day, the two Marys were at the tomb seeking Jesus. It is a good principle to seek the Lord the first thing.
        (2) There was an earthquake. Usually when God is doing something in our lives, there will be those earthquakes, shaking, and situations.
        (3) The angel of the Lord showed up. God has messengers whom He will use to touch and direct us.
        (4) The stone or boulder covering the door was moved back. Jesus did not need the stone removed to get out; however, we need it moved out of the way to get in.
        (5) The angel was sitting on what was in the way. Sometimes we need to sit on our problems instead of letting our problems sit on us.
        (6) The guards were laying on the ground like dead men. The power of God's presence can be so great that flesh cannot stand.
        (7) The angel spoke, "Do not be afraid." Whenever an angel says that, get ready to receive a revelation. In moments of fear and confusion, there is always a word from the Lord for us. The problem is our stopping long enough and pushing back fear to listen.
        (8) Jesus said, "Go tell My brethren to go to Galilee and there they will see Me." When we listen, there will always be instructions to know what to do.
        WHERE HAD JESUS BEEN? Ephesians 4:8-10: Therefore He says: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." (Now this, "He ascended"—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill {and fulfill} all things.)
        Jesus was facing Satan and gaining the victory for all of us. Colossians 2:14-15: (Jesus) having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. Having disarmed (took away the weapons) principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
        Jesus disarmed Satan and took back what he had stolen. Jesus declared: "I will take those keys. They are mine." 1 John 3:8b: ...For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.
        Revelation 1:18: (Jesus said) "I am He who lives and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of hell and of death." John 11:25-26: Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"
        Romans 8:11: But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. You must be persuaded that the same power that raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you and is quickening and making alive your mortal, physical body.
        Galatians 2:20: The Apostle Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." WE HAVE RESURRECTION LIFE!
        You, too, can experience this Resurrection Life in Christ Jesus. Romans 10:9-10: ...if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. If you have never invited Jesus, God's Son, to come into your heart, today is a good day to do that.
        If you want the same power that raised Jesus from the dead to work in your life, pray this scripture out of Philippians 3:10: ...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death...
        Lord, I want to know You and the power of Your resurrection.
        Lord, you are alive, and hell's power is broken over me.
        Lord, you are alive, and heaven's door is open for me.
        Lord, you are not in the tomb; You are on the throne of my heart.
        You have disarmed principalities and demonic powers for me.
        You have given me the same power that raised You from the dead.
        Therefore, I HAVE RESURRECTION LIFE IN JESUS!