Sometimes we accept things just the way they are told to us, without questioning. I think most children employ this skill quite well once they’ve heard “just because” used as an answer one too many times.
Well, if you’ve ever wondered why Christ rose from the dead on the third day, you’ve come to the right place. I mean, couldn’t he have risen from the dead the very next day? Maybe he could have waited a week. Realistically, it could have happened at any time.
As it turns out, though, there is a reason why he rose from the grave on the third day — many reasons, actually.
The scriptures are full of references to the third day, starting in Genesis and popping up through both testaments. As it turns out, the third day is symbolic of new life and atonement. (Click here for a list of references along with a description of their meanings.)
So what does this mean for us, as we prepare to celebrate the holiest of holy days? Let’s bear in mind the significance of Christ’s death and resurrection. We do not simply celebrate Easter because of the empty tomb. We also celebrate the resurrection of our own lives from death into life, from darkness into light.
When we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter Sunday, we are not just following an historic tradition. We are engaging in a deeply meaningful theology centered around the third day, with all its implications of God’s redemptive work. The third day design pattern is a reminder — God has initiated the process of resurrecting people to new life, bringing them into his covenant partnership.
Derek Hiebert
This brings to mind a verse from one of my favorite hymns: “To God be the glory, great things He hath done; so loved He the world that He gave us His Son, who yielded His life an atonement for sin, and opened the life gate that all may go in.”
This resurrection of Christ is that “life gate,” and we rejoice now and forever for our new life in Christ.
Thanks be to God!
The Pipe 