From the Back of a Donkey to the Throne of Heaven

1 Corinthians 15:3-4

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

We are in what is commonly referred to as Passion Week. The week of Jesus’ Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem that culminated with His betrayal, arrest, judgment, death by crucifixion, and ultimately, His resurrection and ascension.

This coming Sunday many may put on their Easter Sunday best and attend church, (perhaps one of two times this year). They host or participate in an Easter Egg hunt or plan a family gathering for Easter dinner.

But many will miss the significance of the Day and the all that took place this week two-thousand years ago. When Jesus presented Himself as King to only ride into the city on the back of a barrowed donkey that had never been ridden, and then be betrayed and arrested, brought before the religious leaders, falsely persecuted, and convicted of the sin of blasphemy which He never committed.

He was tried before Pontius Pilate, who found no wrong in Him. But the same people who shouted with praises “Hosanna!” now demanded He be crucified. He was scourged and beaten beyond recognition, forced to carry His cross up Calvary’s Hill, and nailed to a Roman cross to die for and forgive us our sins, once and for all.

Then He was laid in a barrowed tomb for three days. But on that third day, Jesus rose from the dead and left the tomb. He then appeared to His disciples and to over 500 people over the course of the next 40 days. Then He ascended to heaven where He is seated on the throne at the Father’s right hand.

You see, many will miss this because they only know that the day is for Easter baskets, Easter eggs, bunnies, and candy. It may be a time of dressing up for a ‘once a year’ church service. But the real significance is this: that Jesus came to this earth, not as a royal king, but as a lowly and humble servant to be sent as a blood offering so we may be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life.

Paul goes on to write in this 15th chapter that the resurrection of Christ is what we should hope in.

Verse 12 “Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied.”

One only must believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died and was raised from the dead to forgive you all your sins – past, present, and future. Call upon His name, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and ask Him into your heart to forgive you and save you from the wrath of God that is coming soon.