Awake Us Now

Scripture: Luke 24:45-47, 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Matthew 12, Hosea 6:1-2, Genesis 22:4, Esther 5:1, Jonah 1:17, Exodus 19:10, 2 Kings 20:5, Genesis 1:9-13.

As we read through the Old Testament we see time and again, God doing amazing things on “the third day.” It is something that stands out!

Today we explore eight remarkable examples in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) that speak of God delivering His people on the 3rd day:

    1.    Hosea 6:1-2 “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence.”  The third day is associated with restoration, the return to life, God’s mighty work.     2.    Genesis 22:4 “On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance.” This day was the day that Abraham saw the place in the distance that he was to sacrifice his son, but it was also the day Abraham saw the mighty deliverance of God as God Himself provided a lamb for the sacrifice in place of Isaac.     3.    Jonah 1:17 “Now the Lord provided a huge fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” This was a picture of what Jesus Himself would endure and do. Jesus in Matthew 12 speaks of Jonah as a picture of Himself.     4.    Exodus 19:10-11 “And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.” This is from the story of deliverance of the children of Israel from bondage in Egypt and they come to Mt. Sinai and God says He will appear to them on the third day.     5.    Esther 5:1 “On the third day Esther put on her royal robes and stood in the inner court of the palace, in front of the king’s hall. The king was sitting on his royal throne in the hall, facing the entrance.” After 3 days of fasting and praying, Esther went before King Xerxes and deliverance was given to the Jewish people.     6.    Joshua 1:11 “Go through the camp and tell the people, ‘Get your provisions ready. On the third day you will cross the Jordan here to go in and take possession of the land the Lord your God is giving you for your own.’” The children of Israel, after wandering for 40 years in the wilderness, finally come to the Promised Land and the Lord tells Joshua to tell the people that on the third day they would cross the Jordan to the land He had promised them.     7.    2 Kings 20:5 “Go back and tell Hezekiah, the ruler of my people, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of your father David, says: I have heard your prayer and seen your tears; I will heal you. On the third day from now you will go up to the temple of the Lord.” Hezekiah is told by Isaiah that he would die soon. Hezekiah cries out to God to prolong his life and then Isaiah is given a message from God that on the third day Hezekiah would be able to go to the temple to worship God and that he would be given 15 more years to live.     8.    Genesis 1:9-13 “And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good. Then God said, “Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.” And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the third day.”  The first day of the week is Sunday, the 2nd day is Monday, the 3rd is Tuesday. It’s on this third day that God saw what He had made and spoke the words, “it is good,” for the first time and said it not once but twice that day. And this is why the Jewish people have said the third is a special day. And that’s why even today many orthodox Jewish weddings are on Tuesdays, because it’s the third day of the week and the third day is special.

These “third days” are not accidents, they are indications of the purpose and plan of God and they are fulfilled in the Lord Jesus who rose on the third day. 

The crucifixion of Jesus is the goriest, most disgusting event in history, but it is also the means of our deliverance. God was willing to endure it all for us! And He can be trusted because on the third day he rose!

And according to the scriptures He’s coming back!

Pastor ends today’s class with an invitation to give your life to Christ, to allow the Good News of Jesus to come into your heart and permeate every aspect of your life. 

God offers us the greatest gift of all - He offers us Himself!

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This teaching is from Matthew 27:49-28:4

We pick up the story from last week on the evening of Passover. Jesus is on the cross, it's three in the afternoon. Jesus cries out, "it is finished" and dies just as the sacrifice is being offered in the Temple. At that very moment the curtain in the Temple is torn from top to bottom. That curtain separated the Holy Place of the Sanctuary from the Holy of Holies in the rear of the Sanctuary. The curtain was a massive curtain approximately 60' by 30' and about 8 inches thick.

Symbolically - this is a sign that everything has changed. The entry way to the Holy of Holies which had been only for a chief priest to enter once a year for atonement was now wide open - a physical representation that the way to the Heavenly Father is now opened for all. No longer through multiple sacrifices, it is now through the blood of the Son of the Living God. That entry gives us direct access to the Father through the Son.

There was darkness from 12-3pm and when Christ died, there was a massive earth quake and a Centurian exclaimed, "Surely, this was the Son of God!"

Jesus' burial - Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilot to ask for Jesus' body and it was given to him.

God's command in Deuteronomy 21:22-23 says, "If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God's curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance."

The Jewish people followed this command from God and so Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus' body down from the cross at His death and didn't allow it to stay on the "pole." Joseph wrapped the body in cloth and placed Jesus in the tomb that he had recently purchased for himself.

Pastor shares archeological and historical evidence of the site of Jesus' burial site under the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

After Jesus is placed in the tomb the chief priests and pharisees - who do not normally agree with each other - went together to Pilate to remind him that Jesus had said, "After three days I will rise again." So Pilate tells them to secure the tomb so that Jesus' disciples could not come steal the body and claim Jesus had risen from the dead.

The tomb was secured by sealing it with wax around the stone at the opening of the tomb and a guard was posted.

We move into Matthew chapter 28 where we read the story of Jesus resurrection. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary go to the tomb early the next morning when again there is another violent earthquake at the time of Jesus' resurrection. An angel comes down from heaven, rolls the stone of the tomb away from the opening and sits on it, frightening the guard.

All the plans of man to do away with Jesus have come to an end. And now God is intervening in a remarkable and powerful and awesome way.

Join us next week for the rest of Jesus' amazing resurrection story that is also ours!

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This teaching is from Matthew 27:26-49, Psalm 22:1, 7-8

Today's story is the crucifixion of Jesus. We pick up our story with the flogging of Jesus. Pastor describes what Jesus experienced in this brutal method of torture.

Jesus was then brought to the preaetorium in front of all the soldiers where He was mocked and beaten before they lead Him away to be crucified.

Simon from Cyrene was forced to carry Jesus' cross as they walked to Golgatha because Jesus was too weak from the brutality He experienced.

Once on the cross they offered Him wine mixed with gall, but Jesus refused to drink it. What was this drink? Evidence that has survived points to a tradition that the women of Jerusalem prepared a wine mixture that was intended to dull the pain of an individual who was being tortured or crucified. But we see Jesus refusing to drink it. The Son of God chose to endure the pain without having anything to easy it. He chose to willingly suffer the agonies of the damned for each of us.

Then they cast lots for His clothes and place a sign with the charge against Him: "This is Jesus, King of the Jews."

Pastor shares a detailed description of Jesus' cross.

The story continues with taunting coming from the gathered crowd and as darkness covers the sky from noon to 3pm. Jesus cries out to God the Father highlighting David's prophetic words from Psalm 22:1.

Note also the prophetic fulfillment of the words of verses 7-8: All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. "He trusts in the Lord," they say, "let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

7 Words of Jesus from the Cross ⁃ Father forgive them they know not what they do ⁃ Today you will be with me in paradise ⁃ Woman, behold your son ⁃ My God, my God, why have you forsaken me ⁃ I thirst ⁃ It is finished ⁃ Father into Thy hands I commend my spirit

Jesus' crucifixion is the greatest love story the world has ever heard. The Only Son of God willingly saved us and it ought to drive us to our knees in tears and holy awe.

Pastor ends today's class with the encouragement to read through the rest of the story before joining us again next week.

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Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:28-44, John 12:12-19, Romans 11:25-26, Exodus 12:3.

The Palm Sunday story is a familiar story with detail that is not well known. This event was a prophetic declaration not only to the first century but also to the twenty-first century!

Palm Sunday - Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey to the shouts of "Hosanna" the weekend before his crucifixion death and resurrection.

All four Gospels record this event - each one offers a unique perspective. Pastor puts the four author's writings together in a way that shows a host of detail about what it meant then and what it means now.

Pastor Dodge takes a deeper look into the following topics, sharing the New Testament coverage of the event with the prophetic words of this very event from the Old Testament in Zechariah, Psalms, Exodus, Deuteronomy and others. We will see this event as fulfillment of what had been biblically predicted: Setting Timing Donkey Hosanna Opposition Weeping Return

Jesus shares prophetically in these words: "For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'" And we read this in Romans 11:25 "I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved."

The day is coming when the Jewish people will receive Jesus as their Messiah. We can see this now:

23 - in 1948 the nation of Israel was established in a single day, a nation that had not existed for almost 19 full centuries. In 1948 there were 23 Jewish believers in the Messiah. 2000- and in 1948 there were 2000 Jewish believers in the whole world

30,000 - today there are 30,000 Jewish believers in Messiah in Israel 1,000,000 - and Jewish believers around the world and growing.

Something dramatic has happened - the Jewish people are coming to recognize Jesus as their Messiah and Savior. It mean the very thing Jesus predicted is taking place in our day and the King is coming back!!

This account from the New Testament is an historic account. One that summons us to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, one that calls us to recognize that God is in control, one that helps us understand that the Lord's desire is that we know Him, that we be filled with His Holy Spirit and that we be part of the great assembly of believers who will ultimately welcome our King - because THE KING IS COMING BACK!

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Because Christ is risen, we too shall rise! But what will our resurrected bodies be like? Scripture gives us hints of the glory to come. Luke 24:36-41; 1 Corinthians 15:42-43; Philippians 3:20-21; Revelation 21:1-5.

Up To Jerusalem - Teaching 9 Scripture - Matthew 25-26, Luke 22

We continue with Jesus' Mt. Olivet Discourse where He is talking about the future end of Jerusalem that did happen in 70AD several decades after His ascension and as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophets. Jesus is also talking of the preparation for His second coming and the importance of being awake.

Pastor reviews the conclusion of the Parable of the Ten Virgins with Jesus' words,"Therefore keep watch because you do not know the day or the hour." We want to be awakened ⁃ Awake to the things of God ⁃ Awake to what He desires of us ⁃ Awake to our mission to lead others to a knowledge of the Savior and to usher in the Kingdom of God

Additional parables covered ⁃ The Parable of the Talents - It is possible to know about the Master without truly knowing Him and living in relationship with Him. We are to use all He has given us to His glory so that others know and learn the Good News of our Savior. We are called to serve, love and honor God. ⁃ The Parable of the Sheep and the Goats - Pastor helps us understand this parable in a first century Jewish context. This story is incredibly profound and Pastor shares a personal testimony around the subject of sheep and goats and the question: "Do goats hear the shepherd's voice?" Pastor shares the differences between sheep and goats. In Jerusalem these two animals are in the same flock but they are very different. ⁃ Identity: 54 chromosomes vs. 60 chromosomes ⁃ Diet: tender grass vs. garbage ⁃ Intelligence: great ability to learn and understand and created to thrive under a shepherd vs. independent ⁃ Offspring: keep lambs near by vs. send their offspring out on their own ⁃ Social structures: no competition, need a shepherd to lead them vs. butt heads, desire to dominate ⁃ Shepherd: only thrive under a good shepherd vs. fiercely independent This parable shows us that it is possible to be a member of the flock but not be one of The Shepherd's sheep. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and it's important to follow Him.

This parable goes on to talk about when "The King" comes and how He will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. Sheep on His right to eternal life and goats on the left to eternal punishment.

This parable is about being a new creation in Christ, a follower, one of His sheep that hears His voice. Goats have not become new in Christ and want be in control. We are NOT saved by works - we are saved by the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep.

As we continue, we move into Matthew 26 where Jesus tells His disciples, again, of His impending crucifixion. We see Judas going to the chief priests as he prepares to betray Jesus as told in both Matthew 26 and Luke 22.

From there we see Jesus send two of His disciples (Peter and John) to begin preparations for the Passover meal which includes finding a place for their meal together and also going to the temple for the lamb for the meal.

Pastor points out several examples of Jesus being in control of the details leading up to His arrest and that it is not the enemy who is control. Jesus is in charge! He is the Lord! And this is something we each need to realize - we are not in charge of our destinies, we do not make the rules, when we try - then we are like goats. But when we listen to Jesus, the Good Shepherd, we are His precious sheep and He desires to be both Lord and Savior in our lives.

Even through Judas is "making plans" Jesus is still in control and He will not allow the enemy to divert Him from the Father's purpose.

Pastor goes on to share unique details about the Passover lambs at the temple and our Passover Lamb, Jesus.

Join us again next week as we continue Up to Jerusalem - the road that takes Jesus to the cross but that ends with His victory!

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Up to Jerusalem is a study of the final weeks of Jesus' ministry concluding with His resurrection and ascension, using the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John together with material from ancient sources and recent discoveries. Up to Jerusalem is part four of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Up To Jerusalem is the story of the plan of God to redeem the world, and the story of a Savior willing to obey the Father's plan. As we study Jesus' final days, we will be impacted as we discover the Love of God for each one of us.

This study is great for large group, small group or home group study and can be started at any time.

This teaching is from Matthew Matthew 26:69 - 27:31, Deuteronomy 27:25, Zechariah 11:12.-13, Jeremiah 19:1-13, Isaiah 53:4-8

The story of Jesus' trial continues with a look into what's transpiring in the courtyard. We see Peter being accused of knowing Jesus 3 different times and all three times Peter denies knowing Jesus. But then the rooster crows and he remembers Jesus' words predicting his denial. Peter leaves the courtyard in tears.

Meanwhile, Judas is experiencing remorse as he sees that Jesus is condemned. Judas returns the 30 pieces of silver realizing he has betrayed innocent blood and goes out to the hang himself.

The story moves into the Roman part of the trial. Note: it is not just the Jewish leadership sentencing Jesus, it is the Gentiles as well. Showing us that It is all of us who have put Jesus on the cross. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23.

Isaiah 53:4-6 "Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."

Jesus is brought before Pontius Pilot and asked, "Are you the King of the Jews?" Throughout the testimonies against Him, Jesus remains quiet. Jesus' silence is a fulfillment of the prophetic verses found in Isaiah 53:7-8 "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 its shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. Yet who of his generation protested? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was punished."

Pilot could see that the charges against Jesus are drummed up - and while proceedings are going on Pilot's wife sends him a message, "Don't have anything o do with the innocent man for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of Him."

Pilot had the option to release one prisoner - asking the crowd who they would like released - Jesus or Barabus - the crowd chooses to release Barabus and they cheer for Jesus to be crucified.

Pilot then washes His hands saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood. It is your responsibility." And then Pilot has Jesus flogged and handed over to be crucified.

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This teaching is from Matthew 26:39-68

Come along as we see: Who Jesus is and why we so desperately need Him

As we look at Jesus' story of His arrest and trial, we will learn that Jesus is faithful and we are not, Jesus is fearless and we are not, Jesus is forthright and we are not.

Today's story opens in the Garden of Gethsemane with Jesus having asked His disciples to stay awake while He goes to pray and share His heart with the Father. Jesus knows what is coming and asks the Father if there is another way - yet ends the prayer saying, "not my will, Father, but Yours." Jesus remains faithful to accomplish the will of the Father.

As Jesus returns the 3rd time from praying to the Father He again discovers the disciples sleeping. He wakes them as the scene changes… we read next the betrayal by Judas as he point out Jesus in the crowd by kissing/greeting Him. Jesus is seized and arrested, yet He fearlessly goes with them, faithful to the will of God the Father.

Peter then cuts off the ear of one of the servants that was present and Jesus immediately heals the ear, telling Peter not to give into hatred.

Jesus doesn't resist arrest and willingly steps into fulfilling the Scriptures. The prophetic words spoken in the Old Testament about Jesus are fulfilled and it is in seeing this fulfillment of His first coming, that we know what the Bible tells us of His second coming is truth, as well. Jesus will fulfill, one day soon, everything predicted in His return. There is so much more to come and we don't want to miss it! What He offers is life forever with Him! Faith in Him delivers and saves us!

As Jesus is taken away His disciples abandon Him, leaving Him alone and deserted. He is brought before the High Priest, Caiaphas. Peter hangs back in the courtyard area. (A spot that comes into play in next week's study!)

The Sanhedrin begin looking for evidence against Jesus. Two witnesses declare that Jesus said "I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in 3 days." These were words spoken during the story of Jesus cleansing the Temple. Pastor shares some interesting insight into there being 2 times Jesus cleansed the temple and not just once. One at the beginning of His ministry and then again just days before His arrest. The temple cleansings bookend His ministry.

The High Priest asks Jesus to answer the change of destroying the temple and building it up in three days, but Jesus does not answer. Again displaying His fearlessness. He remains quiet.

Caiaphus seeing he doesn't have enough evidence to convict Jesus, then demands that Jesus tells them, under oath of the Living God, if He is the Messiah the Son of God. Meaning: Are you making a claim to divinity (and this was a crime).

And Jesus answers, "You have said so." And goes on saying, "But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." (Matthew 26:64) Jesus' forthrightness in His answer describes who He Is by quoting Old Testament Scriptures (Daniel 7:13 and Psalm 110:1).

In His answer, Jesus is claiming Deity and thus convicts Himself. At Jesus' words the High Priest tears His clothes (something that was only permitted when someone was blasphemous). Verses 65-66 continue, "Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, 'He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" The crowd answered, "He is worthy of death."

Our study ends with Jesus' faithfulness and fearlessness as seen in verses 67-68: "Then they spit in Jesus' face and struck him with their fists. Others slapped him and said, "Prophesy to us, Messiah. Who hit you?"

When we meet next the story of Jesus' arrest and conviction continue with more for us to learn on who Jesus is! Join us!

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This teaching is from Matthew 26:26-39 and Exodus 6:6-7

Our story continues today with the Lord's Supper.

Jesus is going to make it clear that He is the Passover Lamb who lays down His life for all people of all time.

Pastor overviews the Passover meal: why it was done, what the purpose was and shows us how Jesus changed the script that had always been spoken during this meal since the time of Moses.

Taking the bread Jesus says, "Take eat; this is My body." Then after that He took the cup saying, "Drink from it, all of you, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."

Pastor shares about the 4 cups of wine during the Passover meal referencing the four verbs in Exodus 6:6-7. Four verbs, four cups of wine: 1. Cup 1 - I will BRING you out 2. Cup 2 - I will FREE you 3. Cup 3 - I will REDEEM you 4. Cup 4 - I will take you as My people

According to what is said in the gospels it appears Jesus spoke the words "drink this cup…" with the 3td cup - the Cup of Redemption. Jesus talks about this cup as "my blood of covenant given for you and for many." This cup not only reminds us of God's great deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt, but it is God's new covenant of deliverance from the bondage of sin for all people.

The disciples could see something unique was happening. Clearly Jesus is speaking of Himself as the redemption. In the days to come the disciples would look back on this Supper, Jesus' Last Supper, and they would see it more clearly.

In the next verse, as Jesus finishes this 3rd cup, taking what is written here in Matthew 26:29 and in the other gospels it appears Jesus is saying He will not drink the 4th cup until the day we are all together in His Father's kingdom (meaning when everything is fulfilled) when he said, " I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."

Jesus will take this fourth cup, the Cup that will be celebrated at the "Marriage Feast of the Lamb" on His return. "When I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom," this is the assurance of His return and a celebration that will never end.

Then Jesus and His disciples head to the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane. He tells them that He is overwhelmed to the point of death. Jesus is truly God in human flesh - a real human being going through agony and sorrow at what He knows is to come.

He asks the disciples to stay with him and keep watch or in other words, "Be Awake!" What does it mean to "be awake?" It means to recognize the times, to be ready and prepared, to be one with our Lord Jesus, one with our Heavenly Father and one with the Holy Spirit. Be Awake!

Jesus asks that "this cup to be taken from me, yet not as I will but as you will." Jesus - fully divine but also fully human speaks to His father and says could we go with another plan? But concludes His request with not my will but your will. This is how we too should pray - praying in God's will.

We know things that God desires and we can pray in His will without hesitation: For awakening in our country For people to come back to the Lord For people to know the Lord For those going through difficult days And holding one another up in prayer

But there are some times when we don't know what God desires because His ways are far beyond our ways and even Jesus prayed not my will but your will to the Father.

"Thy will be done," even in the face of overwhelming agony of what was ahead He stilled prayed "Your will, Father" and we are called to pray the same way.

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Scripture: John 20:1-18, Exodus 25:10-22, Leviticus 16, Jeremiah 3:16, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:23

God provides remarkable glimpses of Jesus in the Old Testament. To understand what Mary Magdalene saw in the empty tomb that first Resurrection Sunday, consider the Arc of the Covenant and the part it had in the Day of Atonement.

Today’s study is the eyewitness story of Mary Magdalene going to Jesus’ tomb and finding it empty. As she approaches the tomb she sees the stone has been removed from the tomb’s opening. She runs and tells two of Jesus’ disciples what she’s seen and they run to the tomb and see that what she said, was true.  They leave not understanding what has happened.

Mary is left alone at the tomb. Crying, she peers into the tomb and sees two angels in white seated where Jesus’ body had been - one at the head and one at the foot.

In Exodus 25:10-22 we read about God’s instruction for building the Arc of the Covenant. The directions tell us about the lid - atonement cover - of the box and that it was to be covered in gold and have 2 cherubs (angels) at each end of the cover, God then tells Moses to put the tablets which He will give him into the box, put the cover on the box. God then tells Him that there, between the cherubim on the Mercy Seat / Atonement Cover of the box / Arc of the Covenant., He will meet with Moses.

God instructed that once a year at Yom Kippur - the High Priest were to kill a goat as a sacrifice for the people’s sin and sprinkle its blood on the Atonement Cover - on the Mercy Seat. Then after sprinkling the cover they would release another goat into the wilderness. This Day of Atonement served as a reminder that they needed an innocent victim not only to cover and pay for their sins but also to carry those sins away.

In Jeremiah 31 we read that God will give a new covenant and the New Covenant is what Mary got a glimpse of that resurrection morning because she saw the flat place where the bloodied body of our Savior had been laid - after He offered Himself as a sacrifice for our sin.  And now the body is gone and there on the spot where Jesus had laid are two angels, one on each end of it - It is a picture of the Arc’s Atonement Cover, the Mercy Seat!

God is offering the New Covenant!

The story continues with Mary coming face to face with the risen Jesus. He calls her by name and she immediately recognizes Him.  It’s not knowing the stories about Jesus, it’s about coming face to face with the reality of who He is.  Like Mary - it’s personal - it’s about relationship with Him.

What Mary saw is the most amazing foreshadowing: How the place where God met with the children of Israel had been fulfilled in the place where God meets all of us in the empty tomb  - because He is alive! And that changes everything!

Jesus is the One who is the very Mercy Seat of God, who’s blood covers our sin, who carried it away and who offers us life and forgiveness and hope and joy and an eternity with Him.

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