30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 23 44-49 THE DEATH OF JESUS 15 29Jan2022 Luke 23 46 Our eternal habitation with Christ
📖 Luke 23:44-49
15 – 29 Jan 2022 – Our eternal habitation with Christ - Luke 23:44-49 - THE DEATH OF JESUS - Bible reading: I Corinthians 15:55-57
“Thank You, Lord Jesus, that You are showing us that our life is not for this earth only, but we are people of eternity. This is a privilege for us, and You are causing us to always keep our eyes fixed on our eternal habitation with You. In Jesus' most precious name, we pray, Amen.”
We have seen so far, the seven words that Jesus spoke from the cross. We have seen how Jesus shouted out triumphantly, "Father, 'INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.' " This was the glorious finale of the cross. Jesus had won the victory over sin and death, and He was now in the bosom of the Father.
Luke 23:46 And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, "Father, 'INTO YOUR HANDS I COMMIT MY SPIRIT.' " Having said this, He breathed His last.
Even though this is the finale, we must look at a few more incidents that took place around the cross at that time.
Matthew 27:52-53 and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; (53) and coming out of the graves after His resurrection, they went into the holy city and appeared to many.
This is the word that the Lord is giving to us.
I Corinthians 15:19-23 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable. (20) But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (21) For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. (23) But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.
What took place on the cross was the victory of Jesus over death, completely. Though the bodily resurrection of Jesus, as we know it, took place a few days later, Jesus was already in the bosom of the Father. Resurrection, in terms of an eternal understanding, had already taken place.
Death was finished. Jesus was alive. Death was given a death blow.
I Corinthians 15:55-57 “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING? O HADES, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY?" (56) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. (57) But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Death, which was upon man and death, which is also connected with hades, were both done away with by the death and resurrection of Jesus on the cross.
This is the awesome victory for humanity. Death hung over us. Death is the eternal separation of man from God. Death, which is also the death of hades, were now put aside.
The death of hades is the place of eternal fire and torment. This is the place of unimaginable evil and wickedness. This is the second death, where a person will spend eternity, who has not received the gift of reconciliation with God, through faith in Jesus.
Second death was hanging over man because of sin. Sin came on us because of the law. The law condemned us as sinners to be sent to the place of second death.
This condemnation, which was on us was set aside because Jesus took our condemnation on Himself, and He was separated from God.
Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirement of the law.
When we place our faith in Jesus, on what He accomplished on the cross, on our behalf, we are fulfilling the righteous standards of God and therefore we cross over from death to life.
Since death has been put aside for us, we do not anymore live for the pursuits of this world but our time here on earth is spent for purposes of eternity.
This world is temporal. This is the place where we are being refined and realigned to the image of Jesus. This is also the time for us to reach out to many around us and bring them to the eternal relationship with Jesus.
We are to be salt and light of the earth, representatives, ambassadors of Christ, reaching out to people so that they will not face death.
Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken.
Death was given a final blow. Death does not frighten us anymore for Jesus has won the victory over death.
John 5:26-29 For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself, (27) and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man. (28) Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice (29) and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Friends, there is a resurrection to life and there is a resurrection to condemnation. Death is a place of eternal fire. This is the second death.
Revelation 20:14-15 Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. (15) And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.
This life here on earth is temporal. We must live here on earth as people who are people of eternity with Jesus . That time with Jesus is the main event. This time here on earth is the dress rehearsal.
Our hope is in our eternal habitation with Jesus.
Thought to ponder
If you are pursuing temporal goals then your life is most pitiable.