The historical truth: The powerful resurrection of Jesus in Bible by Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

 The historical truth: The powerful resurrection of Jesus in Bible

By Rev.Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts& Gospel music  3282021

 

          My friends, have you ever read the Bible?  Have you ever done the research? Or pray to God to unveil the truth to you who is Jesus? Is Jesus Christ Messiah? Today, we would like to discover and approve the conversion of people in Jesus’ time.

  There are many factors and evidence in the Old Testament and New Testament to approve the Jesus is Messiah Christ. The prophets who were prophesied the coming Messiah Christ in Old Testament had fulfilled, such as the prophets Jeremiah, Zachariah and Isaiah.

 First evidence through prophet Jeremiah said, “They took the thirty silver coins, the price set on him by the people of Israel, and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”(Matthew 27:9-10). And Zechariah11:12 states, “I told them, “If you think it best, give me my pay; but if not keep it.” so they paid me thirty pieces of silver. And the Lord said to me, “throw it to the potter” the handsome price at which they priced me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them into the house of the Lord to the potter.  The scriptures Jer.18:1-4; Jer19:1-3 and Zechariah11:12 had fulfilled when Judas, one of disciples of Jesus who had betrayed Jesus for the thirty silver coins.  Judas returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders. For he realized that he has sinned, and he has betrayed innocent blood, and he hanged himself after he threw the money into the temple and left. The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. This is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. (Matthew17:3-8)

        Second, Prophet Isaiah clearly described the Messiah had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering. He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet, we considered him stricken by God. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth, he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life, and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:2-12).  Isaiah’s prophecy of suffering savior Messiah had fulfilled in the Matthew 27:27-44. It states, “The governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!”  They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him…in the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others…but he can’t save himself! He’s the King of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the robbers who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.”(Matthew27:27-44).

 Third, the people’s conversion: “surely he was the Son of God”. In New Testament four disciples’ narrative about Jesus’ death on the cross, and resurrection had provided undeniable events that the super power of resurrection convinced the people to believe that He was  the Son of God! According to Matthew27:45-54 provides the people’s conversion as follows,

            When Jesus was crucified on the cross, “from the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a lord voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani’ which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!” 

             Fourth, after Jesus’ burial who is able to roll back the stone? Angel of the Lord rolled back the stone. The burial of Jesus by a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. The next day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. They say, “Sir, we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘after three days will rise again.’ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that the he has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew27:63). So Pilate told them go to make the tomb secure, they made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard. After the Sabbath at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 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. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. (Matthew27:1-4).

 Fifth, Jesus met His disciples after resurrection. Angel of Lord said to Mary Magdalene and the other Mary, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples:’ He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you...” So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples, suddenly Jesus met them, “ Greetings,” The women came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew27:5-10).

 Thomas, one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. He doubted about Jesus has raised from death, and he said, “ unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” (Jh.14:25) Jesus vindicated and approved himself by appeared to Thomas, while the doors were locked. Jesus unveiled the eyes of Thomas to cognize Him, “Put your finger here, and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side stop doubting and believe.” (Jh.20:27). Thomas was convinced and said, ‘my Lord and my God’ (Jh.20:28). Thomas was fully acknowledged the deity of Jesus Christ. This climax highline the book of John’s gospel that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, by believing in Him, we may have life in His name. Jesus rose from death vindicated who He was, is and is to come. And Philip and Thomas’s conversion approved of His attributes of deity (Jh.8:46), omnipotence, omnipresence (Matt.28:20) and omniscience (Jh.11:11-14).

Then, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but come doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew28:16-20).

Moreover, Jesus met disciple Peter personally while he was fishing and spoke to him, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” three times Jesus questioned him, and three times commanded him to “feed my lambs”, “Take care of my sheep”, “ feed my sheep”.(John21:15-17).     

Conclusion

 He is not here, He has risen. The procession of Jesus’ crucifixion was full of suffering, just as Isaiah prophesied, “ it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life a guilt offering, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life, and be satisfied by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities”.

The conversion of people by the super power of resurrection, and super nature disaster, earthquake; the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split. The tombs broke open and the bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs, and after Jesus’ resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many people. When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

 The angel of Lord affirmed women, He is not here, and He has risen. Jesus met the disciples in the Galilee, to the mountain where he had told disciples to go. And Jesus met Peter individual to instruct him, “feed my lambs”, “take care of my sheep”, “feed my sheep”.(John21:15-17). Thomas was fully acknowledged the deity of Jesus Christ. These climax highline the book of Matthew, Luke, Mark, and John four gospels that Jesus is Christ, the Son of God, by believing in Him, we may have life in His name. God had vindicated Jesus rose from death and approved who He is Son of man and Son of God who was, is and is to come as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zachariah’s prophecy. Moreover, Philip and Thomas’s conversion approved of His attributes of deity (Jh.8:46), omnipotence, omnipresence (Matt.28:20) and omniscience (Jh.11:11-14).

Bibliography,

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

Why called Palm Sunday before the Easter? By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Weekly message: Why called Palm Sunday before the Easter?

By Rev. Katherine Liu Bruce

Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music                            March 21, 2021

      As Easter is approaching, we would like to discover that why Christians have been celebrating Easter and Palm Sunday. The reason called Palm Sunday?  For Jesus was triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Sunday to fulfill Heavenly Father’s redemption plan. It’s also the beginning of last week of Christ’s life on the earth. According to the book of Martthew21:1-11and book of Mark11:1-11 explicitly stated,

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ Tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back shortly.’” They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a door way. As they united it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, uniting that colt?”  They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. They who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna!”

 “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“ Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“ Hosanna in the highest!”

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was     already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. (Mark11:1-11)

             The palm itself was symbolic of victory. During Christ’s lifetime, it was the custom for the common people throughout the Roman Empire to greet royalty by waving palm branches and strewing them in the path of the royal personages. The palm itself was symbolic of victory; Roman generals and their armies often carried palms in triumphal processions returning from battle. So it was when Jesus entered Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday.[1]

In Matthew 21:7 and Mark 11:7 both mentioned about “the colt”, which signifies lowliness and meekness. (Matt.21:5) . And the “cloaks” or “garments “signifies people’s conduct and the human virtues expressed in people’s conduct.(Isa.64:6; Rev.19:8). The disciples put their garments on the colt for the Lord to ride on, and many spread their garments in the road for Him to pass through (v.8), signifying, on the one hand, that they revered Him and, on the other hand, that their conduct, which was an expression of their human virtues, was a seat on which He could rest and a way that He could pass through (Matt.21:7)[2]. This implies that our deeds and our conduct should pave the way for the Lord and serve as a seat on which He can rest.

In Matthew21:8 and Mark11:8 stated, “Others spread branches”, this shows not only that the braches were many and thick but also that people could walk on them securely. The Greek word denoted primarily layers of leaves, twigs, reeds, or straw spread for people to walk on or lie on, and by extension, branches full of tender leaves. Here the crowd spread layers of this kind of branch as a carpet on the road so that the Slave-Savior, whom they revered and loved, could walk on them as He entered the capital. The tender leaves having cut them out of the fields signify the abundance and freshness of the human life; it opposites of withering, dry leaves.[3]

The branches of the palm tree (John12:13), which signify the victorious life (Rev.7:9) and the satisfaction of enjoying the rich produce of that life, as typified by the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus.23:40, “On the first day you are to take choice fruit from the trees, and palm fronds, leafy branches and poplars, and rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days. Celebrate this as a festival to the Lord for seven days each year.” And in Nehemiah 8:15, “And that they should proclaim this word and spread it throughout their towns and in Jerusalem: ‘ Go out into the hill country and bring back braches from olive and wild olive trees, and from myrtles, palms and shade trees, to make booths’ as it is written.” The crowd used both their garments and the palm tree branches to celebrate the lowly King’s coming. 

In the verse 9, “Hosanna” means save now! Or in Hebrew expression meaning “do save, we pray”.  The acclamation is a quotation based upon Ps.118:25-27, “O Lord, save us; O Lord, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, from the house of the Lord we bless you. The Lord is God, and he has made his light shine upon us. With boughs in hand, join in the festal procession up to the horns of the altar.” sung at the Feast of Tabernacles. The crowd wanted salvation from the oppression of Rome, not the spiritual salvation that Christ offered.[4] The same group hailed Jesus, in the few days would also desert Him. This occasion was the fulfillment of Zech.9:9, it says, “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.” As the book of Matthew21:4 stated, “This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: ‘Say to the Daughter of Zion, see, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ 

Conclusion

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, the observation of the last week of Christ’s life, which leads up to His death and Resurrection. All over the world, Christians use palm branches in church services and joyous processions and parades. Where palms are unavailable, other plants are used, but the meaning is still the same. This was Jesus’ triumphant entry, the procession of a King, the conqueror of evil. But the procession, although joyous, also marked the beginning of the last week of Christ’s life on earth. [5] The crowd used both their garments and the palm tree branches to celebrate the lowly King’s coming. The branches of the palm tree (John12:13), which signify the victorious life (Rev.7:9) and the satisfaction of enjoying the rich produce of that life, as typified by the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus.23:40. And  Christians' deeds and conduct should pave the way for the Lord and serve as a seat on which He can rest.

  

  Bibliography,

                Anderson, Neil. The Bondage Breaker: Overcoming negative thoughts, irrational feelings, habitual sins. Sisters Oregon: Harvest House Publishers, 2006.

Bauer, Walter. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature. 3^rd Chicago: The University of Chicago press, 2000.

Brown, Robert, Philip W. Comfort and J.D. Douglas, ed. The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament. Carol Stream: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.1990.

Bruce, Katherine L. Book review: the bondage breaker by Neil T. Anderson. M.Div. VAN670. Orlando FL: Liberty University Baptist Theo. Seminary, 2012.

___________. Can you see the glory of God? Orlando FL: Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical Precepts & Gospel Music, 2016.

________. The phenomenon of Christology. Orlando FL: Christian Arts Ministries: Biblical precepts & Gospel Music,2015

Chambers, Oswald. My utmost for His highest. DODD,Mead &Company, Inc.1935.

Countryman, Jack. If my people. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2016.

Friberg, Timothy, Barbara Friberg, and Neva F. Miller et al., eds. Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament.1^st ed. Victoria BC: Trafford Publishing, 2005.

             Hogan, Julie, Treasury of Easter Celebrations, Nashville, TN: Ideals Publications, 1999

          

King James, The Holy Bible, Cleveland, OH: The world publishing company

                       

            Lee, Witness. The New Testament (R.V.) Anaheim, CA: Living Stream Ministry, 1985.

 

Lucado, Max. God is with you every day. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson, 2015

 

             __________. Glory Days. Nashville, TN. Thomas Nelson, 2015

 

            Myers, Roth. 31 days of praise. Colorado Springs, CO: Multnomah Books, 1994.

 

Ryrie, Charles C. The Ryrie study Bible (NIV).Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute, 1986. 

 Strong, James. Strong’s: the expanded exhaustive concordance of the Bible. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2010. 

Towns, Elmer. Fasting for a Spiritual Breakthrough: a guide to nine biblical fasts. Ventura: Regal Books, 1996 .

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[1] Julie Hogan. “Treasury of Easter Celebrations”. Ideals Publications  (Nashville, TN 1999),55

[2] Witness Lee. “The New Testament”. Living stream Ministry (Anaheim, CA 1985),217

[3] Witness Lee. The New Testament. Living stream Ministry (Anaheim, CA 1985),217

[4] Charles Ryrie. “ The Ryrie Study Bible” The Moody Bible Institute (Chicago IL 1986),1348

[5] Julie Hogan. “Treasury of Easter Celebrations”. Ideals Publications  (Nashville, TN 1999),55