Question from a friend of WordTruth Press:
>>Why did Jesus have to be dead for three days? And where was Jesus during
those three days?
WordTruth Press Response:
Three days is what Scripture records as the time that Jesus' body was in
the tomb:
For
I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ
died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He
was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
(1 Cor. 15:3-4, NKJV)
As to why God chose 3 days, Scripture does not tell us. I suspect
it is related to common Jewish myth in that day that believed the soul
of a dead person sort of hovered around the body for a day or two before
departing for good. If so, then the 3 day period for Jesus' entombment
would be sure to refute any idle speculation that He was not really dead.
Where was Jesus during those 3 days? From the perspective of His
humanity, the physical body was in the tomb (John 19:41-42). His spirit
was kept alive by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18) as He does for all people.
From the perspective of His deity, He was still exists because He is eternal
(John 1:1). Keep in mind that Jesus is God the Son (Mark 1:9-11),
the second person of the triune God (three persons -- Father, Son, and
Holy Spirit -- in one divine nature/being).
So what happens to people who die? Those who die without trusting
in the LORD Jesus Christ have a physical body in the grave and a spirit
in Hades awaiting the final judgment for unbelievers. Believers who
die have a physical body in the grave and a spirit that immediately goes
into the presence of the LORD:
So
we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body
we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight.
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and
to be present with the Lord. Therefore we make it our aim, whether
present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (2 Cor. 5:6-9, NKJV)
See also Philippians 1:23 for similar teaching. For believers who
die, their spirit and body will be reunited at their resurrection and glorified,
made fit for eternity in Heaven.
Keep studying God's word and seeking the wisdom of God (James 1:5-8)
for He is faithful to do all that He has promised.
May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you with His wisdom and the courage
to follow Him!
Randy Lariscy :-)
President - WordTruth Press℠
Copyright 5/17/2000, Randy Lariscy.
