From the Crucifixion to Resurrection: The Journey of Christ through Tribulation to Victory

Jesus, Christ
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.  Luke 23:34

The story of the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ has evoked much emotion, contemplation, and reverence in the lives of the believer worldwide. This occurrence of sacrifice, love and forgiveness is the cornerstone of our faith. It’s a timeless event that transcends every aspect of our past, present and future which offers lessons in every area of our lives.

The crucifixion of Jesus reflects the betrayal, suffering and ultimate sacrifice. From the betrayal of Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’s disciples, who sold Jesus’s life in exchange for money to the religious authorities which led to his arrest to the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who ultimately sentence him to death in replacement of releasing Barabbas, a murderer and criminal, as well as the crowds who turned on him at a moment’s notice. The crucifixion was a brutal form of execution for the worst criminals.

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:5

Jesus was forced to carry his cross along the roadside while he was mocked, beaten and scourged leading to being nailed to the Cross to suffer for the remission of our sins.

From the darkness of this event to the miraculous victory, Jesus rose from the dead after three days triumphing over sin, sickness and death. It is hope and the promise of redemption. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and life over death.

Through the resurrection, Jesus offers believers the hope of eternal life and the promise of redemption. It is a mirrored effect of compassion, forgiveness, and selflessness as we continue to be transformed into the character of Jesus for His glory as His message resonates with people of all faiths and backgrounds.

The power of the resurrection holds lessons for humanity. It teaches us the value of sacrifice and the importance of forgiveness and the transformative power of love. In a world plagued by division, disease, famine, war, strife, violence, and suffering, it is the power of love that conquers all.

As we take time to reflect on the resurrection of Christ, let us not dwell on the past but press on to the future with hope and faith. Let us embed the Word in our heart and let it guide us to a world of peace, justice, and compassion as we journey through life mindfully focusing and practicing the lessons Jesus provided and receiving the ultimate sacrifice through His love and eternal hope Jesus offers to us.


If you have not received Christ as your Savior and you want to ensure that you receive the gift of salvation, please take a moment and say this prayer out loud:

“Lord, Jesus, I acknowledge you as my Lord and Savior. I believe that you died on the cross for my sins and was raised from the dead on the third day. I repent for my sins, poor choices, and mistakes. Come into my heart and renew my mind. Mold and shape me the way you want me to be. I open my heart to receive the Holy Spirit to guide, teach, comfort and protect me. Release me from all evil and temptation. Thank you for restoring my life. I glorify your name Jesus, who is above all names. From this day forth, I live to worship you. I praise you and rejoice to be a part of your heavenly family. I understand that I am not perfect and will make mistakes along my journey but help me to walk and lead as an example of Christ.  In Jesus Name. Amen.”

Welcome to the family of Christ. He loves you, dearly. Although you may not feel any different after saying this prayer. Just know that Jesus has heard your prayer and He lives in your heart. You have been cleansed from all of your past sin nature. There is no guilt or condemnation in Christ Jesus. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.


Happy Resurrection Day!

Grace & Blessings,

Yolanda-


Related Bible Passages

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 11:25-26

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. 26 And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

1 Corth 15:26-27

25 For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. 26 The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. 27 For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under Him,” it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted.

1 Corth 15:49-52

And as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we[a] shall also bear the image of the heavenly Man.

Our Final Victory

50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a [b]mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed— 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

1 Corth 15:54-57

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

55 “O[a] Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” 56 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Phil 3:20-21

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.

Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death forever,
And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces;
The rebuke of His people
He will take away from all the earth;
For the Lord has spoken.

Phil 2:5-11

The Humbled and Exalted Christ

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it [a]robbery to be equal with God, but [b]made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Beyond the Veil: In the Prayer Closet | Embracing an Intimate Relationship with God

Photo Credit: Pixabay

 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; Phil 4:6

During any time of the day, we have access to communicate with God through prayer. Oftentimes, life gets busy. Life gets hectic. We deal with distractions, and we lose our focus on Biblical practices such as reading the Bible, worshipping and prayer.

We make commitments to watching or participating in the latest sports activities, attending the biggest events and concerts, following the latest trends but do not feel the urgency to dedicate time to the Lord.

The Lord is always available to us. We have a direct connection to Him. We don’t have to worry about drop calls, static or a battery that needs to be charged. We don’t have to go through special protocols to gain His attention. He neither slumbers nor sleeps. Psalm 121:3-4 When we draw closer to the Lord, He reveals Himself to us in many ways.

Call unto me and I will answer thee and show you great and mighty things that you do not know of.

Jer 33:3

Photo Credit: Pixabay

The Roadmap to Tapping into the Realms of the Spirit

The Outer Court

In the Old Testament, the tabernacle in Jerusalem had three specific areas dedicated for prayer.

The outer court was the gathering area where everyone came to offer thanksgiving to God. It was the location where cleansing of sin and confessions took place, however the Israelites were not permitted to go into the inner court. It was off limits to those who were not established as a higher priest.

the tabernacle

Photo Credit: Pixabay

In comparison, the outer court, in our Christian lifestyle, resembles the religious practices, traditions and rituals where the average person sends prayer requests of petition to God, but they do not experience the presence of the Lord. They may believe God but have never experienced the presence and miracles of God. They may have repented for their sins, but they lack connection and relationship with the Lord. They may attend church but it’s only a religious practice. Their prayer life consists of asking God for help or for material things, but their prayer life doesn’t go much further than petition.

The Inner Court

The inner court was accessible to the worshippers who offered sacrifice and burned incense to the Lord. It is where the table, showbread and incense were located. This area was reserved for praising God which drew the Lord closer. It was a sacrificial praise of worship. There was a curtain or veil that hung as a partition which divided the room from the most sacred area of the tabernacle. This area was reserved only for the high priests of Jerusalem.

In relation to the inner court, in our walk with the Lord, we offer praise and thanksgiving. We have a need to seek and develop a deeper relationship with the Lord. You may have a desire to get baptized or develop a desire for fasting to draw closer to the Lord.

The Holy of Holies

The Holy of Holies was the most sacred area of the tabernacle. This was the area where the ark of the covenant was located. On Yom Kippur, which is also known as the Day of Atonement, the high priest would burn incense and offer animal blood sacrifices upon the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant to atone for sins. This area was in the deepest section of the tabernacle. The veil was torn after the resurrection of Jesus which means Jesus has lifted the veil of separation that allows every born-again believer to have access to the presence of God and receive revelation of the realms of His Spirit.

As you continue to seek the Lord in prayer, continue to grow spiritually through studying and reading the Word, living Holy, and applying Biblical principles to every area of your life, you will experience the presence of the Lord and gain access to a higher spiritual realm.

16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
17 If any man defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

1 Corth 3:16-17

Prayer

Lord, Jesus we thank you for your guidance and protection. May our heart and mind be open to your plan, purpose and will for our lives. We diligently seek you with our whole heart and purge us from all temptations of sin. Draw us closer to you. May we hear your voice and walk in your ways in everything we do and every place we go. Let us dance before you in praise for in your presence is fullness of joy. May we lay down in precious rest wrapped in your peace and safety as we sleep. May we walk with wisdom and discernment with the Holy Spirit leading the way. Keep us from all harm and heal us from all sickness and disease. We receive the Blood of Redemption that washes us clean of all infirmities. We rejoice in your healing and wholeness of our mind, body and spirit. We thank you for another day and for the blessings that rest upon our lives. In Jesus Mighty Name. Amen and Amen.

To receive a copy of the “Bible Study Prayer Planner” just click the button below. The four-page PDF Bible Study Planner provides an area of focus for your Bible lessons. Select your scripture of choice and plan your weekly lessons. Embrace your devotional time and increase your intimacy with the Lord. Download your copy today!

Additional Bible References | Digging Deeper into the Word

Just click the links below for direct access to the scriptures.

Matt 6:33

Psalm 100:4

Psalm 100:2

John 4:22-24

Psalm 42:1-2

Matt 6:9-13

Heb 4:16

Matt 6:6-7

2 Chron 3:16-17

Exodus 26:33

Matt 27:50-51

Exodus 27:16

John 14:6

Psalm 91

Psalm 84:10

Psalm 84:2

Exodus 27

Matt 7:7-9

Phil 4:6

Psalm 119:2

1 John 5:14

Jer 29:13-14

The Unveiled Face: Coming Out of the Dark

man, face, darkness, midnight

Many people will see the light of God who have been blinded by deception, illusions, fear, confusion, and rebellion in this season of life-changing transformation. As the world continues to reveal and fulfill Biblical prophecies and the shaking of nations, the clash of evil and righteousness will abound. The importance of practical wisdom, truth, peace, and protection will be a valuable commodity. Walking in faith and obedience, under God’s grace, inherits the promises.

From Obedience to the Miraculous

When Moses went up to Mount Sinai, the Lord provided him with detailed instructions on leading the Israelites. “Moses bowed to the ground at once and worshiped. Lord, he said, “If I have found favor in your sight, then let the Lord go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our wickedness and our sin, and take us as your inheritance.” Exodus 34:8-9

“Then the Lord said: I am making a covenant with you. Before all your people I will do wonders never before done in any nation in all the world. The people you live among will see how awesome is the work that I, the Lord, will do for you. Obey what I command you today.” Exodus 34:10

mountains with snow top

The Unveiled Face

God told Moses not to make any idols and he wrote the covenant from the Lord – the Ten Commandments.

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant law in his hands, he was not aware that his face was radiant because he had spoken with the Lord.” Exodus 34:29

Aron and the Israelites were afraid when they saw the radiance beaming from Mose’s face. After Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil, but he removed the veil when he spoke with the Lord.

The world is blinded by the reverence, revelation, and presence of God. Their life is void of truth so they cannot comprehend the light. Their hearts are hardened, and their minds are void of understanding.

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Corth 2:14

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.

This is the unfolding of the reality of what we are witnessing in this world today. As dismal as it appears, Jesus is calling for the lost. Come near to the Cross where all sins are washed away. Just how Jesus performed a miracle of the blind man, the lost who stumble in darkness, will seek the light in the days to come. The Gospel will enlighten and transform the repented heart and mind of the bankrupted soul.

In a very short time, will not Lebanon be turned into a fertile field and the fertile field seem like a forest?
18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll
and out of gloom and darkness
the eyes of the blind will see.
19 Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord;
the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.

Isaiah 29:17-19
clouds with beaming sunlight

The Covered Veil

13 We are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so the people of Israel would not see the glory, even though it was destined to fade away. 14 But the people’s minds were hardened, and to this day whenever the old covenant is being read, the same veil covers their minds so they cannot understand the truth. And this veil can be removed only by believing in Christ. 15 Yes, even today when they read Moses’ writings, their hearts are covered with that veil, and they do not understand.

16 But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corth 3:13-18 (New Living Translation)

Truth Revealed

As much as society tries to mask the truth within every facet of life, the Lord has all power and might to uncover the truth.

“For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.”

Luke 12:2-3

13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. John 16:13

Put on the Armor of the Lord. Eph 6

26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. 28 Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field, so that you will no longer suffer disgrace among the nations because of famine. Ezk 26-30


Subscribe to the blog or join my email list for the latest updates!

Have something on your mind? Search more topics here.

Additional Bible Reading

John 14:17

2 Corth 4:3-18

Ezk 36:24-30

Romans 13:11-14

Romans 12:2

Matt 13:13-15

Rom 10:16-17

John 14:1

John 14:21, 23

John 14:26-27

Phil 2:12-13

Gal 5:22

Psalm 139:23-24

Matt 6:34

Eph 6

Isaiah 42:6-9; 16-17