Why Did Jesus Have to Die to Conquer Death? (Lent 40-2018)

It’s Holy Saturday and Jesus is dead and buried.  Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die to conquer death?  After all, He’s God and nothing is impossible for Him.

I don’t really have an answer, nor do I feel like many words will do it justice.  I have to simply trust that God–all wise, all powerful, all loving, all gracious, all resourceful, all creative, all capable—would have chosen another way had it been more effective and just as God-honoring.  Even Jesus had asked in deepest prayer, Matthew 26:39 “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

Why Did Jesus Have to Die to Conquer Death? Because death was the enemy; and the Cross and the grave were the battleground.     

Food for thought:

On this Holy Saturday, Jesus’ cold, dead body is in the grave.  Let that sink in.

Meditate on Peter’s speech in Acts 2:25 David said about him: “‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, 27 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.

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This concludes the Lent 2018 devotional series, Pi and Chi: Asking and Answering Questions Why .  If you’re on my email list, you’ll continue to receive periodic devotionals and random gardening posts from me.  Thank you for being with me during Lent.  Do have a blessed Easter tomorrow.  As always, I appreciate your feedback and your encouragement, both here and on Facebook.  I am your servant.  To God be the glory.  Barbara