The place of crucifixion was near a garden, where there was a new tomb, never used before. And so, because it was the day of preparation for the Jewish Passover and since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. (John 19:41 & 42, NLT)
Early on Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. (John 20:1, NLT)
We had hoped he was the Messiah who had come to rescue Israel. (Luke 24:21, NLT)
THE METHOD OF THE MIDDLE
• Dilemma
• Deception
• Decision
• Death
• Deliverance
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” “No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” (Matthew 26:34-35, NLT)
KEY THOUGHT: My response is more important than the reason why.
Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. (Romans 12:12, NLT)
1. Rejoice in Confident Hope
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. (Matthew 16:21, NLT)
Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, NLT)
2. Be Patient
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what was promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. (Hebrews 11:13, NLT)
King David said this about him: ‘I see that the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and my tongue shouts his praises! My body rests in hope. For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave. (Acts 2:25-27, NLT)
Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? (Ephesians 4:8-9, NKJV)
The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. 53 They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people. (Matthew 27:52-53, NIV).
I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. (Revelation 1:18, NIV)
KEY THOUGHT: While your waiting, Jesus is warring and working.
3. Keep On Praying
Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia
blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me. (Daniel 10:12-13, NLT)
KEY THOUGHT: God always makes a way in the middle.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:39-43, NLT)
For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. (2 Corinthians 5:19, NLT)