CRUCIFIXION & RESURRECTION: THREE DAYS AND FIVE GIFTS

What a Season this is! This season must be rated the most intense in the life of the Church. This year was especially reflective for me, I felt it deeply, that my Savior died for me. In my reflections, I noted something new from the Scriptures. In these three days gone by, there were five occurrences that paralleled each other in both the Crucifixion and the Resurrection account

Occurrence Number 1: Effectual Intercession for the Lost: Did you notice Christ’s passionate Promissory Intercession for His Tormentors? Can you also hear that trail blazing, transformational word that let loose the eternal pyrotechnic display of the highest level of power – the power of forgiveness in the midst of an ongoing offense? Can you hear Jesus say to those who are not even aware of their offense to him: “Father Forgive Them for The Know Not What They Do?” I am amazed to find the exact parallel after Resurrection. Mathew 28:4 described the keepers who also knew not what they do! Can you imagine Secundus, Publius, Casius and Justus. It was their turn to be on night duty for the week. These men confronted angels who roll away the stone, and miracles of all miracles, they lived! Our fictional but real friends ran to their commanding officer who ran to the high priest who told them, keep this quiet for a fee... Secundus and Casius agreed, but Publius and Justus… No, they refused to sin against God! Christ’s Intercession for the Lost was heard; two officers and their men; entered the Kingdom! We Today can believe for the lost in our Community.

Occurrence Number II: Definite Forgiveness for The Penitent: Think about that thief who hung on the Cross beside Jesus. What went through his mind? His years of rebellion to his mother’s counsel? His listening to the lying words of evil friends? What went through his mind that made him to “confess his sins?” We may never know till we stand before the Father. But somehow, heaven accepted his repentance and the Son set him free on the Cross! I am amazed at the Angels attention to another Penitent – AFTER resurrection. Peter must have had a horrible three days. He denied the Lord, He denied him before servant girl; and he was the only one among the disciples who denied him. The angels said in Mark 16:7 to the two Mary-s and Salome, “tell his disciples, and Peter!” Give this message to the man who has counted himself out of the Game… Tell Him that He is FORGIVEN! There are many Peters like the thief on the Cross that the Lord is saying to TODAY, I have forgiven you.

Occurrence Number III: A Double Defeat for Darkness: Many have taught that the darkness for three hours was in response to the forces of hell’s temporary triumph. My heart however says NO! I believe, it is rather a situation where the darkness was NOT allowed to work at a time of its own choosing. Darkness was commanded to witness the death of the Son. Not that the Sun cannot shine but that Darkness was “frog matched” to Calvary and told see what is being done, see it and see it perfectly – for 3 hours. I make this assertion because when we got to the time for resurrection proclamation, John the Beloved was careful to note that “it was yet dark” when it was revealed that the stone has been rolled away! And it was in darkness that the Lord said those beautiful words “…. Mary” Darkness witnessed both crucifixion and resurrection. No wonder John has this to say: “darkness cannot comprehend him!”

Occurrence Number IV: Eternal Breakage of Natural Restrictions and Limitations: This thought is so powerful. In Mathew 27:51, the Evangelist said: “The earth did quake and rocks were rent…” and natural order of death was reversed (v52,53), graves were opened and many bodies of the saints… arose. In Mathew 28:2, there was another earthquake. This one was “a great earthquake!” Oh that this resurrection day will release the resurrection power that comes with the coming down of the Mighty Angel of the Lord!

Occurrence Number V: True Witness To the Son: It was the most humbling declaration of all time. The victim conquered his conqueror. The Centurion that commanded the Military Detail that Crucified Christ witnessed “Truly, this is the Son of God!” (Mathew 27:54). This however cannot be compared with the witness of the Mighty Angel of the Lord who said: “Why do you seek the living among the dead, He is not here, He is Risen!”

These are the Five Witnesses on both sides of Golgotha. Each one says to us today, there is HOPE…! Will you believe? Let me end by asking you to Celebrate with John Wesley's Classic Hymn - And can It Be

This was at Songs of Praise broadcast Sun 21 Oct 2007. Please Sing Along as I wish You A Happy Resurrection Morning!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQeIGbKqiw8

Pastor Sayo Ajiboye

Easter 2012, Bellevue WA