…He arose a victor from the dark domain,

and he lives forever with his saints to reign.

This is from a song in our hymnals that we often sing before the Lord’s Supper. It is one of my favorites to sing as it starts out slow and mournful, then when it tells of Jesus coming out of the grave it gets faster and joyful.

Jesus’ death was prophesied in the Old Testament. In Psalms it was said that His hands and feet will be pierced. Psalms 34 said not one of His bones will be broken.   The book of Isaiah described what would happen to Jesus. He was brought as a lamb before the slaughter.  His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man, his form marred beyond human likeness as he was spit upon and people hit him with their fists.

Jesus was flogged.  Flogging is done with a leather whip with sharp bones or metal objects on the end, used to rip or tear the skin from the body. Oftentimes this form of punishment caused death.  Isaiah 53 said he would be oppressed and afflicted yet he did not open his mouth.

We don’t like to think of the pain or suffering that our Lord and Savior went through but remember that He died on the cross for our sins, and by his wounds we are healed.

1 Cor 1:18   For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the Power of God.

Brothers and sisters, this morning when you take the Lord’s Supper remember what Jesus did for us. Realize that the pain and suffering He went through was for you. Jesus took up our infirmities; Jesus was pierced for our transgressions; Jesus was crushed for our iniquities.

…He Arose! He Arose! 

Hallelujah! 

Christ Arose!