“The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”
Luke 24:7

When the women came to Jesus’ tomb early Sunday morning, intending to anoint His body, Jesus was not there! Instead, two angels asked them why they were seeking the living among the dead. The angels seemed surprised that the women would think Jesus was still dead. After all, didn’t they remember Jesus’ own words foretelling of His death and resurrection on the third day?

Think about the word “must.” The angels quoted Jesus as saying that He “must” die and then rise the third day. Must? Why “must” it be so?

First, it was the sovereign will of God the Father, agreed upon by all three Members of the Trinity, and determined from eternity past. Therefore it had to happen.

Second, Jesus’ passion was to glorify the Father by obeying His will perfectly. Since it was the Father’s will, Jesus had to do it—and He did do it for the Father’s glory.

Third, it was the only way for sin to be forgiven, death to be overcome, and Hell to be conquered. Therefore, since that was Jesus’ mission, it had to happen. Some may wonder why He had to rise, since He paid the penalty for our sins by dying. That is a legitimate question that has a simple answer. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, He would not have conquered death to provide eternal life for those He came to save. Jesus had to die and He had to rise!

Fourth, since Jesus died, He had to rise, since being none other than the living God, death could not hold Him. Therefore it had to happen.

Jesus said it would happen and God’s Word is certain. Therefore, Jesus died and rose—according to the Word of God.

This Easter, let us rejoice in what the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit planned, agreed upon, and determined to do. Let us rejoice in the Son’s determination to do the Father’s will. Let us rejoice in Jesus’ victory over sin, death, and Hell for those He came to save. Let us rejoice that death could not hold our Savior. Let us rejoice in the certainty of the Word of God.

And while we are at it, let us live trusting in the sovereign will of God, determining that we too will live to do God’s will. Let us live in the victory Jesus secured for His people. Let us live as children of the living God, and let us trust God’s Word in every detail.