Moses 2 verse 7 - Why did Jesus have to die and be raised on the third day?

Have you ever thought about this subject? Maybe you know exactly why this happened. Something that interested me this morning while thinking on this subject was that the disciples always taught Jesus, and Him as the crucified one.

This had me thinking that maybe there are people out there that do not know what everything means to us as Christians. Why did it have to happen? What did God intend to achieve with this?

I want to start with what Jesus proclaimed while walking on the earth. Mark 14:58; "We heard him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands." You might even wonder why I quote this part of scripture, as it does not seem to have any relationship to His death. We might know that it sort of points to the fact that Jesus had to die, but it does not give us a clear reason for the question at hand.

The second scripture I want to quote is from Luke 12:50; "But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!" It is quite interesting to note that Jesus uses the word baptism, as baptism is always associated with water, and not death. Jesus uses this word specifically as He wants to tell us that it is a process He has to go through, but also wants to inform us what our baptism should mean to us..

Let us start with the first quote, the temple.

The temple as it existed in the time of Jesus, was built by the people who returned from exile in Babylon. That is why the people were surprised by what Jesus said, as this temple took forty-six years to build after they returned from captivity. They could not work out how Jesus could destroy the old temple and build a new one in just three days. King Solomon built the temple that existed before this one. The history of this temple is portrayed in 1 Kings 6, 7 and 8. Before this temple was built, Israel used the tabernacle of Moses, who received the instructions regarding the layout and function of the tabernacle from God himself.

Exodus 25 verse 8 and 9 gives us some history: "And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. 9  According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it."

Why did Moses have to build the tabernacle? It was a place the tribe of Israel could go to get forgiveness of sins. There they had to bring offers to the LORD for forgiveness of sins, and depending on the offence, had to pay either a dove or a lamb or whatever was prescribed. The Israelites could also bring offers to the LORD to show thanks for what He did. The only person who could bring these offers to the LORD was a priest. No other person could do this. If you wanted to bring your own sacrifice the same punishment was meted out to you as was imposed on Saul when he decided he would bring the sacrifice instead of Samuel, the priest. To Saul it meant that the LORD did not confirm his kingship, and as a result of this David was crowned as king of Israel.

But wasn’t there anything before the tabernacle? No, as we read in the Bible that the tabernacle was imposed on Israel as a direct subsequence of them not doing what the LORD wanted them to do. Every person, you can confirm this in Genesis, had the right to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. There were no prescriptions on how and where it could be made, or anything to that nature at all. 

Sometimes, like in the case of Abraham, the LORD told people where to offer, but normally it could be done anywhere. Only after Abiram, Korah and Dathan revolted against Moses and Aaron, did the LORD impose that only Levites could do service in the tabernacle on Israel’s behalf. What we can learn from this is that before the time of the exodus, every person stood in a relationship with the LORD, but only during the exodus when Israel did not want to listen to the LORD, did He impose a way of offering sacrifices to Him. This is what Jesus referred to when He said he would destroy the temple in three days. In those three days, He restored the relationship with the LORD again, so that we can all offer our own sacrifices to Him again, without going to the priest to let him do it for you.

The old way of offering sacrifices had to be completely done away with. Jesus brought the one offer that was acceptable to the Father. He was the perfect offer. He did this for us 2000 years ago. All that remains for me is to confess my sins, but this is easier said than done. We have to remember that Jesus reinstated the method of offering sacrifices to the LORD that the people enjoyed before the exodus. Jesus reinstated the same method Abraham and others had where they could all bring sacrifices. But with the Holy Spirit coming to live in us as born again Christians, we have to remember that our bodies become living temples to the LORD. This also means that we have to behave like temples.

This brings me to the second scripture I quoted at the start of this article. Here Jesus declares that He has a baptism to go through, and that He is distressed by it. Why was He distressed? He knew He had to die. He knew he had to fight and overcome Satan. He knew He had to get the keys of death. He had to overcome death. He had to make an end to all the human ways of pleasing the LORD, and to start a new way of pleasing the LORD.

Do you know that He had such a horrid time that He actually perspired blood in Gethsemane? That He could not carry His own cross to be crucified? Why? Because He carried my sins and yours with Him to the cross. This is what happens when you come to realise that you are a sinner. This is the way you and I should feel like when we come under the conviction of sin. When we realise that Jesus carried our sins to Calvary and that or sins caused Him to sweat blood. That He was ridiculed for you and me. That is the time when we realise that maybe like Jesus, I need someone to help me. And just like Jesus found Simon of Cirene to help Him carry His cross, we must look to someone that can help us, and that someone is Jesus. He did this for us 2000 years ago. But this is what Jesus meant that He had a baptism to be baptized with that He was distressed over. And that was only the beginning.

He still had to be crucified. It was the most horrific death anyone could wish for. It was meant for murderers and these types of people. He had to be on that cross from the time that the burnt offering was renewed in the morning, till it was renewed in the afternoon, as He had to be an acceptable sacrifice to the LORD. That is why He was offered outside the town, as all the sacrifices the high priest had to bring, the lamb had to be slaughtered outside the town. Read what the writer of Hebrews had to say about it in Hebrews 9: "6  Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7  But into the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people: 8 ¶ The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet standing: 9  Which was a figure for the time then present, in which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10  Which stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11  But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; 12  Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 13  For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: 14  How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? 15 ¶ And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance." Reading through the book of Hebrews we find that it explains the new covenant in detail to us. Read through it a couple of times to ensure that everything sinks in, as it is to me certainly the most wonderful book in the Bible.

What happened to Jesus after he died and before He was resurrected? We find various scriptures shedding some light on it for us. The first comes from Psalm 68 verse 18, written by king David: "Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the LORD God might dwell among them." Isn’t it surprising to know that David knew what Jesus had to do? But are we sure about this? Let us look at what Peter wrote about this. 1 Peter 3 verses 18-22:" For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19  By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20  Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 21 ¶ The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him." Peter continues with this in 1 Peter 4 verse 6 as follows: " For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit." Peter is also quoted in Acts 2 verse 24: "Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it."

I trust that this gives you some idea of what Jesus had to do in those three days. He had to overcome death and tell the people that never formed part of the first covenant why He had to come to earth, in order for them to also become part of the covenant. That is why He had to descend to death, to overcome it and to fetch the dead and take them to paradise.

But why three days? Jesus proclaimed Himself that He will rebuild the temple in three days. “Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation craves for a sign; and yet no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet; for just as JONAH WAS THREE DAYS AND THREE NIGHTS IN THE BELLY OF THE SEA MONSTER, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. "The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” (Mat 12:38-41)

But then there is another side to the story. He was resurrected. He overcame death.

Read what Hosea had to say about this event. Hosea 13:14 : "I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction".

Do you now understand why Jesus had to die? He died in order for you and me to become part of His Kingdom. That is why Jesus referred to this part as a baptism, as this is exactly what happens when we are baptized. I have to realise that I cannot continue in my old life as a sinner any longer. I have to have a Gethsemane experience. I can then do as Jesus said, and that is to take up my cross and follow Him to die. I must allow my sins and transgressions to be nailed to cross with Jesus, in order to receive forgiveness. En route to Calvary, I might need someone to help me carry my burdens, but the Holy Spirit is more than willing. Then I have to die. As soon as I do it, Jesus will offer to Father His own blood and life in place of mine, in order for me to receive complete forgiveness. But remember Jesus was raised from the dead, and similarly I will receive His life and be raised never to die again. So as soon as I am raised from the water of baptism, I have received eternal life. I am now someone who will never die the death of a sinner, and be thrown in the pit with Satan. Jesus overcame Satan and death, and hence I will also follow Him in overcoming death and Satan. This is what Jesus declares in must happen in John 3 verses 5 and 6: "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." We can now understand that the example set by Jesus, is that life is always preceded by death.

Now we might also be able to understand what Peter declared in 1 Peter 3 verses 21 and 22 : "The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22  Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him."

I have a question for you as reader. What does your life reflect? A life in anticipation of Him, like a virgin waiting for her husband, or have you gone a whoring after other gods?

Moses 2 vers 7: Waarom moes Jesus sterf en op die derde dag weer opstaan?

Het u al ooit gewonder oor die onderwerp? Miskien weet u dalk presies hoekom dit moes gebeur. Iets wat vir my interesant was vanoggend toe ek die Bybel lees, is dat die dissipels altyd Jesus, en Hom as gekruisigde, maar meer nog dat Hy opgestaan het, verkondig.

Dit het my laat wonder of ons almal altyd verstaan wat dit alles vir ons as Christene beteken. Besef ons regtig wat die betekenis is? Hoekom moes dit gebeur? Wat was God se plan daarmee?

Ek wil graag begin by wat Jesus se eie woorde daaroor was. Markus 14:58  "Ons het Hom hoor sê: Ek sal hierdie tempel wat met hande gemaak is, afbreek en in drie dae 'n ander een opbou wat nie met hande gemaak is nie." Nou mag u dalk wonder hoekom ek juis hierdie gedeelte aanhaal, aangesien dit niks direk oor die kruisiging en opstanding noem nie. Ons weet wel almal dat dit op die dood en opstanding wys, maar nie vir ons die rede gee hoekom Jesus juis moes sterf, en hoekom Jesus weer moes opstaan nie.

‘n Ander gedeelte wat ek graag wil aanhaal is as volg: Lukas 12:50  "Maar Ek het 'n doop om mee gedoop te word, en hoe benoud word Ek totdat dit volbring is!"  Dit is nogal snaaks dat Jesus die woord doop gebruik, want ons dink mos altyd dat ‘n doop net in water kan geskied. Jesus gebruik juis die woord doop, omdat Hy te kenne gee dat dit ‘n proses is wat Hy moet deurgaan, maar wil Hy ook vir ons te kenne gee wat die doop vir ons beteken.

Kom ons begin by die tempel.

Die tempel soos dit bestaan het in Jesus se tyd, is deur die persone gebou wat uit Babel teruggekom het. Dit is hoekom die mense ook gewonder het hoe Jesus iets wat ses en veertig jaar geneem het om te bou, in drie dae sou afbreek en opbou. Voor diè tempel, was daar Salomo se tempel. Ons kan die geskiedenis van die tempel nagaan in 1 Konings 6, 7 en 8. Maar voor Salomo se tempel was daar net die tabernakel. Die uitleg en bepalinge vir die tabernakel het Moses die instruksies voor in die woestyn gekry het.

"Ook moet hulle vir My ‘n heiligdom maak, dat Ek in hulle midde kan woon. Volgens alles wat Ek jou laat sien—die voorbeeld van die tabernakel en die voorbeeld van alles wat daarby behoort—so moet julle dit maak." "Exodus 25:8-9"

Wat was die hoofdoel van die tabernakel, en later die tempel? Dit was ‘n plek waar die mense heen moes gaan om boete te doen vir hulle sonde. Daar moes hulle afhangende van wat die oortreding was, hulle offers aan die Here bring. Daar was ook bepaalde voorskrifte aan verbonde, afhangende van die tipe offer. Indien dit ‘n sondoffer of skuldoffer was, het dit vergifnis teweeggebring. Die Israeliete kon ook vrywillige dankoffers en spysoffers of brandoffers bring. Al hierdie offers moes deur ‘n priester waargeneem word. Geen persoon wat nie van Levietiese afkoms was, kon offers aan die HERE bring nie. Indien jy dit self wou doen, het met jou gebeur wat met Saul gebeur het toe hy self wou offer omdat hy gedink het Samuel gaan laat wees. Vir Saul het dit beteken dat die HERE nie sy koningskap bevestig het nie. Daaroor is Dawid later deur die HERE aangewys en toe gesalf as koning.

Was daar nie iets voor die tabernakel nie? Nee. Ons lees dat die tabernakel juis ontstaan het omdat die Israeliete nie direk van die HERE wou opdragte kry nie. Toe Israel uit Egipte is, was daar ook nie ‘n ark nie, en ook geen Leviete nie. Elkeen, ons kan maar gaan lees in Genesis, kon self offer vir die HERE. Daar was geen voorskrifte aan verbonde oor waar, hoe, en wie mag offer nie. Daar was wel sekere uitsonderings soos Abraham wat aangesê is om op Horeb te gaan offer. “En toe die hele volk die donderslae en die blitse en die geluid van die basuin en die rokende berg bemerk, het die volk dit gesien en gebewe en op ‘n afstand bly staan. En hulle het vir Moses gesê: Spreek u met ons, dat ons kan luister; maar laat God nie met ons spreek nie, anders sterwe ons. Toe antwoord Moses die volk: Wees nie bevrees nie, want God het gekom om julle te beproef en dat sy vrees voor julle oë mag wees, sodat julle nie sondig nie. So het die volk dan op ‘n afstand bly staan. Maar Moses het nader gegaan na die wolkedonkerheid waar God was.” (Exo 20:18-21) Dan verklaar die HERE verder: “Ook moet hulle vir My ‘n heiligdom maak, dat Ek in hulle midde kan woon. Volgens alles wat Ek jou laat sien—die voorbeeld van die tabernakel en die voorbeeld van alles wat daarby behoort—so moet julle dit maak.” (Exo 25:8-9)

Die belangrikste betekenis van die tabernakel is dat God die Vader werklik daar kom woon het. “Toe het die wolk die tent van samekoms oordek, en die heerlikheid van die HERE het die tabernakel vervul, sodat Moses nie in die tent van samekoms kon ingaan nie, omdat die wolk daarop gerus en die heerlikheid van die HERE die tabernakel vervul het.” (Exo 40:34-35) Vandag kom maak Hy woning in ons deur Sy Gees. “Want Hy berispe hulle en sê: Kyk, daar kom dae, spreek die Here, dat Ek met die huis van Israel en die huis van Juda ‘n nuwe verbond tot stand sal bring, nie volgens die verbond wat Ek met hulle vaders gemaak het op die dag toe Ek hulle aan die hand geneem het om hulle uit Egipteland uit te lei nie; want hulle het nie gebly by my verbond nie, en Ek het hulle veronagsaam, spreek die Here. Want dit is die verbond wat Ek ná dié dae sal sluit met die huis van Israel, spreek die Here: Ek sal my wette in hulle verstand gee en dit op hulle hart skrywe; en Ek sal vir hulle ‘n God wees, en hulle sal vir My ‘n volk wees.” (Heb 8:8-10)

Die tabernakel is besprinkel met bloed. Die Hoëpriester kon net een keer per jaar in gaan nadat hy ook skuldbelydenis gedoen en gereinig is. Daar moes verdere bloed besprinkel en geoffer word vir die volk. Net deur gestorte bloed van offerande kon die volk deel word van die verbond en so die dood vryspring.

In die tabernakel was daar verskeie afdelings en artikels tot verheerliking van die Vader en is die tabernakel in drie dele verdeel. Die buitenste voorhof was eerste. Die artikels wat in die buitenste voorhof gevind is was die koperaltaar en die koperwaskom. Daarna was dit die Heiligdom waar ons die goue kandelaar, die tafel met toonbrode en die reukaltaar aantref. Die laaste gedeelte was die allerheiligste. Hier was die verbondsark met die twee gerubs op die versoendeksel.

Eers na Abiram, Korag en Datan se opstandigheid, is die Leviete aangewys om alleen te offer. Een aspek wat ons moet onthou is dat die gebeure in Numeri en Levitikus nie altyd kronologies opgeteken is nie, aangesien in hoofstuk 6 al opgeteken is hoe Aäron en sy seuns die priesterlike seën moet uitspreek, maar hulle word eers in hoofstuk 18 aangewys vir die diens.

U sien dat wat ons leer uit die geskiedenis van die Ou Testament, is dat die verhouding wat die HERE met die mense gehad het voor die uittog, so was dat die mense elkeen ‘n pad met die HERE geloop het. Eers met die uittog en die opstandigheid van Israel, word daar voorskrifte gegee van hoe die HERE aanbid moet word. Voor die tempel en die tabernakel, was die mense vry van voorskrifte, maar daarna nie meer nie. Dit is wat Jesus bedoel het dat Hy binne drie dae die tempel sal afbreek en ‘n nuwe tempel oprig.

U sien die ou tempel met al sy voorskrifte moes deur een offer wat Jesus gedoen het, vir altyd nietig verklaar word. Dit is hoekom Jesus geoffer moes word, om eenmaal ‘n aanvaarbare offer vir ons sondes te doen. Dus is dit vandag nie meer nodig dat ons vir iemand anders moet vra om vir ons te offer vir vergifnis van sonde nie. Nee, Jesus het dit al 2000 jaar gelede gedoen. Al wat ek moet doen is my sonde bely. Maar dit is makliker gesê as gedaan. Dit is hoekom Hy moes sterf. Jesus moes die reëls en vereistes wat in die woestyn opgestel is, volbring. Hy moes weer die verhouding van Genesis kom herstel. Na Jesus se opstanding verklaar die Bybel dat ons liggame tempels van die Heilige Gees word. So ons moet ons soos tempels gedra. So sal ons ook sien dat in die nuwe tempel van Esegiël alles nog steeds daar is soos in die tyd van Israel, behalwe vir twee voorskrifte. Ons het nie nodig om eerste vrugte na die tempel te bring nie want Jesus was ons eerste vrugte by die Vader. Hy is die eersteling wat opgestaan het uit die dood. Die tweede voorskrif is die bring van tiendes na die Leviete, aangesien ons nie meer nodig het om iemand te betaal om namens ons offers vir die Vader te bring nie, want Jesus was die volmaakte offer. Hebreërs stel dit juis dat Jesus nie uit die stam van Levi gekom het nie, maar uit Juda. “Want dit is volkome duidelik dat onse Here uit Juda voortgespruit het, en met betrekking tot hierdie stam het Moses niks gesê van die priesterskap nie.” (Heb 7:14).

Dit bring my by die tweede skrifgedeelte wat ek aangehaal het. Jesus verklaar dat Hy ‘n doop het wat Hy moet deurgaan, maar dat Hy self benoud is daarvoor. Hoekom was Hy benoud? Hy het geweet Hy moes gaan sterf. Hy het geweet Hy moet gaan veg teen Satan en hom oorwin. Hy moes die sleutels van die doderyk gaan kry. Hy moes die dood oorwin. Hy moes ‘n einde maak aan alle menslike pogings om die HERE te dien, en ‘n nuwe orde skep.

Weet u dat dit so ‘n moeilike tyd vir Jesus was dat Hy bloed gesweet het in Getsemanè? Dat Hy later nie by magte was om Sy eie kruis te dra nie? Hoekom? Want Hy moes ons sonde dra. Dit is wat dit beteken vir ons om ons sonde te bely. Is dit hoe u gevoel het toe u aangeraak is deur die HERE en onder ‘n sonde besef gekom het? Het u gevoel dat dit haas onmoontlik is om u pak te dra? Dit is wat gebeur wanneer ons tot ‘n sonde besef kom. Dan besef ek eers dat dit wat ek in my lewe gedoen het, net Jesus se las nog swaarder gemaak het. Nou kan u dalk verstaan hoekom Jesus self nie by magte was om Sy kruis te dra nie. Hy moes vir Simon van Sirene kry om te help. Dit is wat Hy bedoel het dat Hy ‘n doop moet deurgaan wat Hom benoud gehad het. En, dit was maar net die begin.

U sien Hy moes toe nog gekruisig word. Dit was die wreedste dood wat daar was. Dit is gewoonlik opgelê vir moordenaars. Jesus moes vir ses ure aan die kruis gaan hang, van die tyd wat die brandoffer in die oggend hernu word, tot die tyd wanneer dit weer in die aand weer hernu word. U sien Hy moes diè voorskrifte ook eers volbring. Dit is ook hoekom Hy buite die stad geoffer is, want die offers wat die hoëpriester moes bring, moes buite die laer geslag word. Lees maar gerus Hebreërs 9. Dit is seker een van die mooiste hoofstukke in die Bybel wat vir ons verduidelik wat Jesus kom doen het.

Maar wat het gebeur na Jesus se dood en voor Hy opgestaan het? Daar is verskeie tekse wat vir ons lig werp daarop. Die eerste kom van Dawid uit Psalm 68 vers 19: "U het opgeklim na die hoogte, U het gevangenes weggevoer, U het geskenke geneem onder die mense; ja, ook wederstrewiges om daar te woon, o HERE God!" Is dit nie merkwaardig dat Dawid geweet het wat met Jesus sou gebeur nie? Maar is ek seker dat dit is wat Dawid bedoel het? Kom ons kyk wat Petrus skryf. 1 Petrus 3 verse 18 tot 22 : "Want Christus het ook eenmaal vir die sondes gely, Hy die Regverdige vir die onregverdiges, om ons tot God te bring--Hy wat wel gedood is na die vlees, maar lewend gemaak deur die Gees; in wie Hy ook heengegaan en gepreek het vir die geeste in die gevangenis, wat eertyds ongehoorsaam was toe die lankmoedigheid van God een maal gewag het in die dae van Noag, onderwyl die ark gereed gemaak is, waarin weinig, dit is agt, siele deur water heen gered is; waarvan die teëbeeld, die doop, ons nou ook red, nie as 'n aflegging van die vuilheid van die vlees nie, maar as 'n bede tot God om 'n goeie gewete--deur die opstanding van Jesus Christus wat heengegaan het na die hemel en aan die regterhand van God is, terwyl engele en magte en kragte aan Hom onderwerp is." Verder in 1 Pertrus 4 vers 6 skryf hy die volgende "Want daarom is ook aan die dode die evangelie verkondig, sodat hulle wel geoordeel kan word na die mens in die vlees, maar lewe na God in die gees." Ook in Handelinge praat Petrus oor die onderwerp. Handelinge 2 vers 24: "Hom het God opgewek, nadat Hy die smarte van die dood ontbind het, omdat dit onmoontlik was dat Hy daardeur vasgehou sou word."

U sien dit is wat Jesus gaan doen het. Hy moes die dood gaan oorwin. Hy moes die mense wat nooit deel gehad het aan die eerste verbond nie, gaan vertel hoekom Hy moes kom, sodat hulle ook deel kon word van die verbond. Dit is hoekom Hy moes heengaan na die doderyk, sodat Hy die dood se mag kon verbreek, en die verlostes kon gaan haal het.

Maar hoekom moes Hy drie dae lank dood wees? Jesus het die volmaakte tyd wat Hy self ook aangekondig het, in die doderyk deurgebring. “Toe spreek sommige van die skrifgeleerdes en Fariseërs en sê: Meester, ons wil graag ‘n teken van U sien. Maar Hy antwoord en sê vir hulle: ‘n Slegte en owerspelige geslag soek na ‘n teken, en geen teken sal aan hom gegee word nie, behalwe die teken van die profeet Jona. Want soos Jona drie dae en drie nagte in die buik van die groot vis was, só sal die Seun van die mens drie dae en drie nagte in die hart van die aarde wees. Die manne van Ninevé sal in die oordeel opstaan saam met hierdie geslag en dit veroordeel; want hulle het hul op die prediking van Jona bekeer, en—meer as Jona is hier!” (Mat 12:38-41)

Verder is dit algemeen bekend in mediese kringe dat die vlees na drie dae alle kanse op herstel verloor het en dan begin vergaan. Maar dan kom die groot aankondiging, Hy het opgestaan.

Dit is wat Hosea oor diè dag geprofeteer het. Hosea 13:14  "Uit die mag van die doderyk sal Ek hulle loskoop, Ek sal hulle verlos van die dood. Dood, waar is jou pestilensies? Doderyk, waar is jou verderf?"

Verstaan u nou hoekom Jesus moes sterf en opstaan? Sodat u en ek deel kan word van Sy koninkryk. Dit is hoekom Jesus na die tydperk as ‘n doop verwys het. Want dit is presies wat die doop vir ons doen. Ek moet besef dat ek nie kan voortgaan in sonde nie. Ek moet ‘n Getsemanè ondervinding hê. Dan moet ek doen wat Jesus ons beveel het, naamlik om my kruis op te neem en Hom te volg. U sien, ek moet ook toelaat dat my lewe en my sondes aan die kruis gespyker word om te sterf. Op pad soontoe sal die Heilige Gees u help dat u by u kruis sal uitkom. Dan kan ek sterf. Wanneer ek dit doen bied Jesus ‘n volmaakte offer aan vir my sondes by die Vader. Maar, weet u Jesus het opgestaan, en daaroor sal ek ook opstaan uit die doopwater as ‘n nuwe skepsel. Een wat nie meer kan sterf nie, want die dood het nie meer mag oor my nie. Dit is wat Hosea verklaar. Net soos Jesus die dood oorwin het, word die mag van die dood vir my gebreek. Nou kan ek weet dat die Satan nie meer ‘n houvas op my het nie, want Jesus het ook vir my die volmaakte offer gebring, en is deur Vader aanvaar. Nou kan ek verklaar dat ek tot wedergeboorte gekom het. Dit is ook die betekenis van Johannes 3 verse 5 en 6 : "Jesus antwoord: Voorwaar, voorwaar Ek sê vir jou, as iemand nie gebore word uit water en Gees nie, kan hy in die koninkryk van God nie ingaan nie. Wat uit die vlees gebore is, is vlees; en wat uit die Gees gebore is, is gees." U sien in die voorbeeld van Jesus, leer ons dat dood altyd lewe vooruitgaan.

Dit ook wat Petrus verklaar het in 1 Petrus 3. "waarvan die teëbeeld, die doop, ons nou ook red, nie as 'n aflegging van die vuilheid van die vlees nie, maar as 'n bede tot God om 'n goeie gewete--deur die opstanding van Jesus Christus wat heengegaan het na die hemel en aan die regterhand van God is, terwyl engele en magte en kragte aan Hom onderwerp is."

Ons lees ook in die Bybel dat Jesus na die Kerk verwys as Sy bruid, en dat Hy die bruidegom is. In die geskiedenis vind ons dat wanneer iemand sou trou, die bruidegom moes weggaan om die huis vir sy bruid in gereedheid te bring. Dit is wat Jesus vandag doen. Dit is ook hoekom Hy verklaar het dat Hy moes weggaan om vir ons ‘n huis in gereedheid te bring.

Een vraag vir u : Is u lewe skoon en sonder letsel, of het u ook al weg hoereer agter ander gode aan? Is u nog die maagd wat Jesus verwag?

So om saam te vat. Jesus het verklaar dat Hy die tempel sou afbreek in drie dae omdat Hy ‘n nuwe tempel, in ons liggame, wou vestig. Al ons eie probeerslae om in verhouding met God te kom, is tevergeefs. Hy moet ‘n nuwe orde daar stel. Die Heilige Gees moet kom woning maak in ons harte, en dit kan slegs gebeur as die sonde in ons lewe gebreek is deur die dood van Jesus. Verder moes Hy sterf om die mag van die dood te oorwin, sodat u en ek na wedergeboorte verseker kan weet dat ons ‘n ewigheid saam met Hom in die paradys sal deurbring.

Ek vertrou dat dit die lewe is wat u verkies.