A Unique Occurrence!

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession that you may proclaim the excellences of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

There are many unique things in this life we are privileged to live, and so often we tend to take most of them for granted. The unique beauty of a sunset, the unique voice of a loved one, the unique laughter of a child, the unique gift of friendship, and the unique gift of giving and receiving love, just to name a few.

Unique is defined as “being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else”. Sometimes the word unique is used in trivialities of life such as a unique flavor, a unique taste, unique clothes, unique personality, etc;, however, there is one thing upon which we can all agree. The resurrection of Jesus was a unique occurrence.

Why is his resurrection unique? First, the scripture tells us that He is the only one who didn’t die again. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead isn’t what makes him unique. The Bible records seven other resurrections, but only Jesus raised Himself from the dead. The other seven that were resurrected returned to their earthly lives.

Next, Jesus alone ascended into Heaven to represent us before God. He is there to intercede on our behalf so that no accusation against us will stand.

Finally, He has the power to resurrect us when we die. He says, “Because I live you will also live” (John 14:19), and that promise applies to us all. The historical and unique truth of Christ’s resurrection is beyond dispute to any honest, open mind, but the greatest proof of his resurrection can be seen in changed lives. Just as Paul said, “The spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you.” Romans 8:10

Jesus came with a mission, and his coming was foretold in advance. David prophesied of Jesus in Psalms 16:10 when he said, “For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.”

Jesus lived his early life as a carpenter. Carpenters in Bible days had a unique custom. When a carpenter completed a job, he would take off his apron, fold it, and set it on his finished work signifying that the job was complete. We know that three days after his crucifixion, “Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early in the morning and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple whom Jesus loved. Peter and the other disciple started out for the tomb both of them running. The other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He stooped, looked in, and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he didn’t go in. Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus’ head was folded up and lying apart from the other wrappings. Then, the disciple who had reached the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed, for until then they still hadn’t understood the scriptures that said Jesus must rise from the dead.”

The words, “The cloth that had covered his head was folded up” are the keys to the story. Jesus, the carpenter, had finished his job. The unique mission of Jesus was realized and our salvation was complete. Three days after Calvary, Jesus won the victory over death for all who believe in Him.

Alfred Ackley was a talented musician and evangelist who worked with Billy Sunday in the 1930’s. At one of the evangelistic services, Ackley began to notice a student who kept asking, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” Ackley could not get the student out of his mind, so his wife suggested that he write a song about his feelings in order to help him resolve them. Ackley re-read the Resurrection account from Mark’s gospel, and the words began to pour.

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today. I know that He is living, whatever men may say. I see his hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer, And just the time I need Him, He’s always near.

He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today. He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart. You ask me how I know He lives. He lives within my heart. He Lives by Alfred Ackley

He lives, our sins are forgiven, and our place in heaven is assured. A unique occurrence indeed!!

Happy Easter!