Easter Facts

THE DAILY WORD
By Jim Seekamp

Monday March 10, 2008

There are many interesting facts about Easter that are usually overlooked by many Christians. Let's look at some of them.

Matthew 28:1-8 (NIV)
1. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

Verse 4 is the first account in the New Testament of people being, what we call today, "slain in the Spirit". You'll see it happen at many meetings that have healing and/or miracles, because the power of the Holy Spirit is given space to move.
The only difference between that and the guards in verse 4 above, is that the guards on Easter morning were shaking with FEAR! That's because they weren't born again! (Nobody was yet.)

It's really interesting to think that the Jews decided to spread a rumor that Jesus' body was stolen! The guards' testimony was spread throughout the rest of the Roman guard, and when more than one Roman guard sees something supernatural and reports it, it would be hard to ignore that report! These weren't even Jews; they were Romans!

Matthew 28:11-15 (NIV)
11. While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12. When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13. telling them, "You are to say, `His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' 14. If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble."
15. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.

It makes me think of how some of those soldiers must have heard the Gospel afterward and been born again! Can you imagine not believing in God, and then actually seeing an angel??? I think those guards had some of their beliefs changed after that incident!!

PRAYER
Thank You Father for Your wonderful, life-giving Word. Help me comprehend Your Word and rightly divide it so I can allow You to govern my life completely.
In Jesus Name, Amen.

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