Death, Burial, Resurrection & Ascension

Death

The death of Jesus was necessary because we were dead in our sins. Humanity inherited its fate because of  Adam’s sin, Rom. 5:12, “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Jesus was born of a woman; therefore, he also had a sinful nature. Without the death of Jesus, the forgiveness of sins is impossible, Heb. 9:22, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.”

Burial

The burial was also a necessary part of our salvation to keep the law. Deuteronomy 21:22-23 states, “And if a man have committed a sin worthy of death, and he be to be put to death, and thou hang him on a tree: His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but thou shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God;).” Once Jesus died on the cross for our sins, His body could not remain on the cross. Their obligation was to bury Him that day. John 19:31 states, “…..Because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the Sabbath day…..”  In keeping with Jewish tradition and law, His body had to be removed and buried, which is proof that he was dead.

Resurrection

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, his death would have been no different from the demise of any other man who had died.  Without the resurrection of Jesus, humanity would still be still dead in their sins; 1Co. 15:17, “…..If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.”  Jesus’ body was buried as a natural body but resurrected as a spiritual body; 1Co. 15:44, “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.”

Ascension

Without the ascension of Jesus into heaven, there would be those who would compare the resurrection of Jesus to  Lazarus’ resurrection.  Yes, He raised Lazarus from the dead, but he had to die all over again. After His resurrection, Jesus received a new body, a spiritual body, an immortal body, and an incorruptible body.  Not only was he resurrected from the dead, but he also ascended into heaven; Act. 1:9, “…..While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight”.

Jesus Christ’s death is the only person who could have given us salvation because he is the only person who lived sin free; Heb. 4:15, “…..But was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” Humanity was placed in a sinful state by the actions of Adam; 1Co. 15:22, “…..As in Adam all die…..” but humanity was given salvation by the deeds of Christ Jesus; 1Co. 15:22, “…..Even so in Christ shall all be made alive.” The ascension also is a sign that he is alive and will one day return for all of those who believe in his death, burial, resurrection; Joh. 14:3, “…..If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”