In the burial of Jesus, found in Matthew 27:59-66, we see how God is working in everything. He used Joseph of Arimathea providentially to fulfill prophecy. He used the two Marys providentially to give first-hand testimony to the resurrection. And He used the chief priests and Pharisees providentially to give forceful proof that Jesus indeed rose from the dead. How does this relate to us? An examination of Romans 8:28-29, reminds us that “All things work together for” . . . WHAT? . . . “good, to those who love God” What is the purpose of these events? Verse 29 tells us that it is to “conform us into the image of His [God’s] Son” and to be “The firstborn among many brethren.” God controls all things to fulfill His eternal purpose for His own beloved Children. This idea of God’s sovereignty and God’s providence is not some distant doctrine only for theologians. This is where the rubber meets the road. It is essential when we can’t explain the trouble we are going through and we need to understand that the providential power of a sovereign God will take every bit of the diverse data of the universe and control … READ MORE

Through first-hand testimony and through fulfilled prophecy even in the burial of Christ, God is at work vindicating Jesus Christ as His Son. God controlled every element of the death and burial of Christ. In Matthew 27:62-66 we see that the Chief Priests and Pharisees are so aware of the teaching of Christ that they attempt to thwart any effort of the disciples to continue his “error” They approach Pilate about making sure that the tomb is secure so that no one would steal Jesus’ body to attempt to make His teaching on His death “appear” to be a reality. God uses this to verify the deity of Jesus, by securing the tomb, there would be no empty tomb because of a stolen body. The only way that Jesus could get out of that tomb was through His bodily resurrection. All the soldiers had to do is guarantee that the body was still there on day three, and all he said could be discounted. But they were not able to do that, because it is God who is at work, and no man can stop the plan of God. As we approach our lives, this same God is the God … READ MORE

The women seen in Matthew 27:61, and 28:1-8 became the wones who spoke the word of the resurrection of Jesus and could say we were there! And in Mark 16:9 when Jesus had risen on the first day, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene and she went and told those who had been with Him. They were the first witnesses. Not people who had something to gain, not the disciples of Jesus that someone might think must have fabricated to carry on their particular program. These were women, who simply loved and followed the Lord. They were disciples of Jesus in one sense, but certainly not the ones that the world would assume would be the ones to fabricate the resurrection. This is where our hope comes from. We are reminded that the Lord often uses “common” people. Not just the leaders, there time was coming for that, but common people, like these women, to serve and direct the focus of the world. My friends, never underestimate your value in the kingdom of God! Understand, you are a follower of Jesus Christ for more reasons than to take up space in the church. We bear testimony to the Resurrection of … READ MORE