Easter 2008 – Sunday Service

Visits: 106

We went to Easter Sunday service today (Megumi Kyokai, Saijyo, Hiroshima, Japan) on 23rd March 2008.

(My church in Japan – I took this photo a on 16th February 2008)

Kato sensei preached about Jesus’s tomb being guarded after he was died. Chief Priests and the Pharisees uses many methods to make sure that nobody was able to steal away the body…as they remember that wen Jesus was alive, the preached about resurrected from death after three days. They do not want to Jesus body to be stolen away by his disciples and created more deception. They still do not believe in man resurrected from death.

Bible verse that we study in church today was:

Matthew 27:62-66

62The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. 63“Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64So 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 he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

65“Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

The guards have used many method to ensure that Jesus body will not be stolen away.

1. They use a big ROCK to seal the tomb
2. They sealed the stone
3. They posted guards to guard the tomb

With such tight security, nobody will be able to steal way Jesus body, yet when Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb, Jesus is not there anymore and there were as 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.

Matthew 28

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.

2There 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. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then 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.”

Jesus is alive! His resurrection is undeniable.

Our heart is like a grave…sealed with many earthy things…eg. money, luxury, greediness, hatred, internet, lust…etc. Nobody can open up our heart, except Jesus Christ.

We did not seek God, but God comes to us and lead us to Him.

We deserve no mercy, but God comes to us and give mercy on us.

We deserve to die, but God comes to us, die for us and give us eternal life.

How do I know Jesus is alive? I know because He lives within myself today!

Emmanuel…Hallelujah, amen!