Articles
Where Is Jesus?
In the normal course of events, when one dies, the body is usually either cremated, or buried in a grave or tomb. Such was the case with Jesus. After Jesus died on the cross of crucifixion, Joseph of Arimathea took “the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb” (Matt. 27:59, 60). At least two women witnessed this (Matt. 27:61), and it was known to even “the chief priests and Pharisees” because they came to Pilate requesting guards be set on the tomb (Matt. 27:62-64). The guards were given and the tomb where His body was laid was secured (Matt. 27:65, 66).
This is where "normal" ends, however.
When the women went to the tomb on the third day after His death, “they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus” (Luke 24:2, 3). Where was the body of Jesus? Where was Jesus?
He Had Risen From the Dead. Upon finding the body of Jesus gone, the women “were greatly perplexed about this” (Luke 24:4); they had approached the tomb, wondering who would roll the stone away so they could enter the tomb and dress the body for proper burial with spices (Mark 16:1-3), but now the stone was rolled away and the body was not there. These facts confused the women, as they were expecting to find the body still in the tomb and Jesus just as dead as He was when they saw His body placed in the tomb.
But the women were soon told, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here” (Mark 16:6). As they went to tell the disciples, Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!” (Matt. 28:9) and they fell at His feet and worshiped Him; this was not a case of mistaken identity! This was Jesus arisen!
The bodily resurrection is central to the faith of all true followers of Christ — Christians — for without that resurrection, we lack the final confirmation and testimony from God that verified the claim Jesus made to be the Christ and Son of God. As Paul said, He was “declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead” (Rom. 1:4). Without that resurrection, too, we lack any assurance of our own resurrection at the end of time. Paul noted that it was Christ's resurrection that gives the believer hope of the final resurrection, He being “the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ’s at His coming” (1 Cor. 15:20-23). Paul would also note, “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor. 15:17); the resurrection of Jesus is important, to say the least! Jesus did not remain in the grave!
After He Was Raised, He Walked The Earth For Forty Days. Jesus appeared to the rest of the disciples later that same day (John 20:19-23), again eight days later, this time with Thomas (John 20:24-29), and again at Galilee when they were fishing (John 21:1-14). Luke's record tells us Jesus “presented Himself alive after His suffering by many infallible proofs, being seen by them during forty days and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God” (Acts 1:3). During that time, He was also seen by the two men who traveled to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-35), and Paul would writer later, “He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time” (1 Cor. 15:5-8).
There are many skeptics and non-believers who claim "there is no evidence" Jesus arose, but if “over five hundred” witnesses are not enough to convince you, it is not for lack of evidence one still disbelieves. Eyewitness testimony is some of the strongest evidence one may have, yet some continue to deny the fact of Jesus being raised from the dead. Denial does not change the facts: Jesus was raised from the dead!
But He was not to remain on earth.
He Ascended Into Heaven. At the end of His forty days on earth after His resurrection, Jesus took the disciples out to Mount Olivet (cf. Acts 1:12), and it was there the apostles watched as “He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight” (Acts 1:9). The ascension of Jesus was something He foretold (cf. John 20:17), and something taught by the apostles afterwards (Eph. 4:8-10). The very first time the gospel was preached, the apostles taught Jesus had ascended and “exalted to the right hand of God” (Acts 2:33), raised “to sit on his throne” (Acts 2:30). Luke concluded His record of the earthly life of Jesus by telling us, “He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God” (Mark 16:19).
So, from all of the testimony from those who know, Christ is not still buried somewhere in the earth, and He is not still walking this earth; He is in heaven. But, with that said, what is He doing in heaven? Is His work now completed?
He Lives To Make Intercession. While some mistakenly think that Jesus completed His work while here on earth, such is not the case — and we should be eternally grateful! The writer of the book of Hebrews reminds us, “He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (Heb. 7:25). Jesus lives to make intercession for us, His people!
As Christians, we are beneficiaries of the precious blood Jesus shed, having been washed by His blood when we first obeyed the gospel. But, as Christians, we still sin. We are not hopeless, but still benefit from that precious blood, for this same Christ who died for us, lives for us, and makes intercession for us when we come to God in prayer. You see, part of the reason He came to this earth and lived as a man was so He could intercede for us as one who has faced every temptation as we did (Heb. 2:16-18), and knowing we have one who can sympathize with us, we may “come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Heb. 4:14-16).
So, no, you won't find the bones of Jesus hidden away anywhere on earth; He rose from the dead. And, no, you won't find Him still walking this earth; He ascended into heaven. It is there Jesus intercedes for us when we come to God in prayer, seeking forgiveness. And He will forgive (1 John 1:9).
We know where Jesus is now; will you be with Him in eternity? —— Steven Harper
