Scriptures are shared to clarify the Gospel (we say, good news) along with the various memorials, and annual observances for the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Today, Good Friday, is the day designated for remembrance of the crucifixion. Many cultural and social customs and traditions are now attached to the sacred events (we say, miracles) of judgment, death, and resurrection that were demonstrated through Jesus Christ. Most of the apostles and disciples with him at their camp on the Mount of Olives went into hiding (fearing their own arrest), were not present at the crucifixion, did not expect Jesus to be detained or punished, and therefore doubted the reports of the Lord having been killed. However, one of the women who had witnessed the execution also discovered the empty tomb, saw the Master alive, and proclaimed to the others, He is risen! The Savior was not seen following his arrest, death, and temporary burial until the first day of the week, Sunday. Combined hours from the four days (Thursday to Sunday) account for the “three days and nights in the grave” as written in prophecy. When the good news was announced, many continued to be uncertain, despite Jesus having carefully explained on many occasions the events that were to occur in fulfillment of the holy writings. The fighter at “Yahoo! Answers” using as ID “israel” (a member since October 25, 2014, with 7 points at Level 1) posted the following subtle (i.e., barely visible; disguised; having multiple hidden shifts in meaning and value) thrust:
Why do Christians celebrate crucifixion on Easter?
THE GOLDEN ARROW: For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12: 18-29, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: Crimes Christ Crucified For? (11/07/2014); Both Lost and Found? (11/08/2014); Resurrection from the Dead? (04/23/2014); Not A Matter Of Opinion? (04/24/2014); Resurrection Sunday (04/19/2014); Jesus Scourged (04/05/2014); Brothers, Not Equals (04/06/2014); The Judges Who Condemned Jesus? (01/17/2014); About the Second Coming? (01/18/2014); Jesus Arose Bodily (12/24/2013); Thanking and Blaming GOD (12/25/2013); GOD Angry With Us? (12/08/2013); So We Could Have Life? (12/09/2013)
“israel”, you appear to be one of those who has some spiritual confusion regarding Christian beliefs. The resurrection of Jesus is to be continuously acknowledged, along with the establishment of spiritual gifts for mankind. In place of celebration and parties, atonement, repentance, sorrow for sin, and escape from condemnation are the focus, rather than such events as the end of Winter, the beginning of Spring, fertility and nature symbolized by a bunny, church attendance, and family reunion. Please consider the following:
(1.) Acts 2: 22-24, KJV: 22 Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
(2.) Acts 17: 24-32, KJV: 24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. 30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. 32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.
(3.) 1st Corinthians 15: 12-14, KJV: 12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
(4.) 1st Corinthians 15: 21-26, KJV: 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually understood. For example, (5.) John 3: 1-12, KJV: There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. 8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. 9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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