The Cross is Life
NO BODY IN THE GRAVE NOW!
Terry R. Baughman

“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJ).

The cross stood as a symbol of shame, a deserved punishment for violent criminals. It was the favored execution method for slaves and non-citizens of the Roman empire. The victims were sometimes left hanging on display as a graphic warning to others, serving as a deterrent for similar crimes. 

Jesus was certainly not a violent man, rather He was known as the Prince of Peace. He was neither a threat to the Roman armies nor plotting to stage a military coup against the ruling authorities. He was only a threat to religious hypocrisy as He shined the light of truth on the traditions of men and spoke in opposition to the purveyors of false prophecy. He was innocent of every crime and without guilt in every accusation. His greatest offense was found in the accusation of blasphemy. They said He deserved death, “because You, being a Man, make Yourself God” (John 10:33 NKJ). Yet, even that statement was absolutely true. He was God in flesh. John said, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NKJ).

Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor over Judea, was anxious to appease the crowd as he struggled to see what the problem was with Jesus. By his own admission he stated, “I find no fault in Him at all” (John 18:38 NKJ). However, the people in opposition to Jesus were so filled with rage they agitated the crowd to call for His crucifixion. Ultimately, Pilate had the servants bring out a basin of water with which to wash his hands of the matter, and then surrendered Jesus to the religious leaders who were bent on His destruction. 

Though there was plenty of guilt to go around for all those who sought the execution of Jesus, it was also in the plan of God to provide a sacrifice for sin and to fulfill His purpose in coming to this world. He came to redeem humanity of their sins. Jesus said, “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NKJ). Jesus tried to prepare His disciples for the event that would take His life. He taught them, “That the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (Mark 8:31 NKJ). Only in days to come would they recall these statements and fully understand that Jesus was preparing them for this bitter disappointment. 

Now we look back at the Cross with mixed feelings of sorrow and satisfaction. We recoil in anguish at the tragedy of this brutal method of punishment, but we rejoice in the salvation that was provided us through His sinless sacrifice. His joy was our salvation, so we may also rejoice in the crucifixion because of the redemptive outcome of His passion. To us the empty Cross stands as a symbol of salvation through His victorious resurrection. 

In our Easter theme song by Elevation Worship, the second verse says, “Behold the love, His dying plea, Behold the grace of Calvary, That rugged cross, Soon to be the emblem of a risen King.” The Cross has become an icon of life to those He has redeemed. Its symbol means so much more than death, cruelty, suffering, and pain. It now stands as a bold witness of deliverance from sin and the multitude of changed lives, transformed by the Spirit of the resurrection. 

The song, There’s no Body in the Grave Now, continues with this theme of salvation, “There's only one name that saves, His name is Jesus, … No enemy can hold You down, 'Cause there's nobody in the grave now. One head gets to wear that crown, 'Cause there's nobody in the grave now!” Today, we celebrate life. Our Cross is vacant. The tomb is empty. Jesus lives, He reigns forever, King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Cross is Life!

Theme passage:
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).

Violence meets the Prince of Peace
NO BODY IN THE GRAVE NOW!
Terry R. Baughman

“John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, ‘Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!’” (John 1:29 NKJ).

John the Baptist had an usual insight with Jesus. Not only did they share the experience of supernatural birth, they were related. John was only six months older than Jesus! 

John’s mother, Elisabeth, was much older and had never had children. However, God made a promise to her husband, Zacharias, while he served in the Temple they they would have a child. As a sign of this miracle Zacharias was unable to speak until John was born and dedicated. He named him by writing on a tablet, “His name is John” (Luke 1:63 NKJ). 

Six months after Elisabeth had conceived, her young niece, Mary, received a visit from the angel Gabriel, who announced God’s plan for her. She had been chosen to bear the anointed One, Jesus Christ, the Son of God. It was too much for her to comprehend and she sought to understand how it could be possible for a virgin to conceive. One of the signs given to her was that her aunt, Elisabeth was also expecting her first child, even though she was beyond the age for child-bearing. 

God’s plan of redemption involved more than two cousins bringing a message of salvation and deliverance to all humanity, but it also required the miraculous participation of two godly women, Elisabeth and Mary, to bear these two men of destiny into the world. John the Baptist, so named because of his message and practice of baptizing believers in the waters of the Jordan river, became the messenger, or the forerunner, of the coming Messiah. He understood his own calling, “I must decrease,” as well as the destiny laid upon the shoulders of his cousin, “He must increase” (John 3:30 NKJ). After declaring Jesus to be “The Lamb of God,” he stated, “After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me” (John 1:30 NKJ).

The prophet Isaiah said, “The government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJ). The attributes of the coming Messiah concluded with, “Prince of Peace.” He went on to say, “Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end” (Isaiah 9:7 NKJ).

However, the Prince of Peace was met with violence. Jesus came with such hope and promise, bringing Good News to the world. John said, “He entered into the world he created, yet the world was unaware. He came to the people he created — to those who should have received him, but they did not recognize him” (John 1:10-11 TPT). Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem just prior to His final visit, and cried out, “If only you could recognize that this day peace is within your reach! But you cannot see it” (Luke 19:43 TPT). 

The Peacemaker had come, but only to be rejected, mistreated, and put to death. They did not perceive their hour of visitation had come from on high. Isaiah predicted, “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5 NKJ). Our peace cost Him punishment. He was beaten, bloodied, and bullied, yet He refused to speak out in His own defense. He did not rationalize or justify His actions. He did not return anger and rebuke for His mistreatment. He surrendered with peace so that we might have peace. 

Another verse from our Easter theme song, There’s no Body in the Grave Now, by Elevation Worship says, “Behold the Lamb, Upon the cross, Who takes away the sins of all. Forgiveness flows, From hands and feet, As violence meets the Prince of Peace, Behold the King.” While violence is all around us, and peace become every more illusive, there is a peace available to every child of God, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 NKJ).
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Theme passage:
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).

Mighty to Save
NO BODY IN THE GRAVE NOW!
Terry R. Baughman
“Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of his strength? ‘It is I, proclaiming victory, mighty to save’” (Isaiah 63:1 NIV).
The Prophet Isaiah received incredible insight into the uniqueness of the Lord God. Multiple times he referenced the oneness of God and His absolute solidarity. God’s own words given to Isaiah declared, “There is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me” (Isaiah 45:21 NKJ). While others may try to present other options, other religions, or other avenues of salvation, the truth remains as the Lord spoke, “I am the First and I am the Last; Besides Me there is no God” (Isaiah 44:6 NKJ). 
Isaiah identified the Lord as the only Savior. The Word of the Lord said, “For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior” (43:3), and, “I, even I, am the Lord, And besides Me there is no savior” (43:11). He said, “There is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me” (45:21), “I, the Lord, am your Savior and your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob” (49:26; 60:16 NKJ).
Yet, Isaiah predicted that the One God of Israel would also be revealed in a future time to bring salvation to the world. He prophesied that, “The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14; see Matthew 1:21-23). The child that was born to Mary was a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6 NKJ).
Peering into the future, Isaiah could reveal, “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For Yah, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’ Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And in that day you will say: ‘Praise the Lord, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted’” (Isaiah 12:2-4 NKJ). It was no coincidence that when Jesus met the Samaritan woman by the well He said, “The water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14 NKJ).
Jesus was that living fountain of water issuing from the wells of salvation. John recorded, “Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water’” (John 7:37-38 NKJ). Jesus came and poured out His Spirit that all may experience salvation. He is not another Savior, but the revealed invisible God of Israel, the One who came, “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10 NKJ). 
Without contradiction Jesus could declare, “I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore” (Revelation 1:17-18 NKJ). Four times in the Book of Revelation Jesus is quoted to be “the First and the Last” (Revelation 1:11, 17; 2:8; 22:13). 
Only the name of Jesus brings salvation. Peter preached about the power of the resurrected Jesus when He said, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12 NKJ). 
Jesus is the One who is mighty to save. In our Easter theme song from Elevation Worship, There’s no Body in the Grave Now, the chorus of the song exalts Jesus as the, “Light of the world, Lamb that was slain, Lion who rose, Mighty to save!”
Jesus declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6 NKJ). He is the Door. He is the access to life. He is the only Savior of the World! Because He lives, we have hope!


Theme passage:
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).

Fullness of God
NO BODY IN THE GRAVE NOW!
Terry R. Baughman
“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:9-10 NKJ).
Jesus Christ was revealed to be, “God manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16 NKJ). This understanding came after the fact, after His life, His crucifixion, and His powerful resurrection. It took a little longer for those who lived with Him to come to that understanding. 
Those who received miracles in their life were certainly more receptive to the idea that Jesus was certainly sent from God. Others admired His teaching and applauded His insights in spiritual matters. While there were some who flatly denied the possibility that He was from God. A Nazarene from the Galilee, and without formal training in the rabbinic schools, how could He possibly be a prophet, a teacher, or much less the long-awaited Messiah. In spite of rejection or acclaim, He fulfilled the prophecies and performed the miracles that attested the truth of His mission. John revealed that, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14 NKJ). John continued, “Of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17 NKJ). Jesus was indeed the fullness of God revealed to all humanity. 
The unbelievers were the so-called religious leaders. They saw Jesus as a threat to the established order of which they were accustomed. They could not comprehend His message or embrace His Deity. John said, “He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12 NKJ). Revelation came to those who believed and embraced His truth. 
As incredible as it seems, those who opposed Him were eventually permitted to prevail against Jesus. Paul wrote of this revelation of Jesus to be, “the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-9 NKJ). Yet, Jesus had come with the plan to give Himself as a ransom for the sins of the world. (See 1 Timothy 2:6.) Jesus secretly revealed to His disciples that, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Luke 9:22 NKJ).
There was always hope for the resurrection. Even as Jesus predicted His death, there was a promise that He would be raised the third day. As believers followed Jesus and saw His miracles they surely must have been even more encouraged, as Jesus demonstrated His power over death by raising others to life! The widow’s son from Nain, the young daughter of Jairus, and the resurrection of His friend, Lazarus, were all proofs of His authority over our final enemy. It should have been no surprise when followers visited the tomb on the morning of the third day to find it empty and the stone rolled away!
In our Elevation Worship theme song for Easter, There’s no Body in the Grave Now, a portion of the song declares, “The fullness of God, Won’t be kept in a grave!” Jesus was the fullness of God in flesh, and He could neither be bound by death nor trapped in the tomb. Because of His resurrection, we have hope. It is the power of the name of Jesus! The song continues, “There’s only one name that saves, His name is Jesus, … No enemy can hold You down, ‘Cause there’s nobody in the grave now, One head gets to wear that crown, ‘Cause there’s nobody in the grave now!”


Theme passage:
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).

Darkness’ Hour is Over
NO BODY IN THE GRAVE NOW!
Terry R. Baughman

Then Jesus said, “I am light to the world, and those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12 TPT).

Jesus made several “self-proclamations” in His earthly ministry, many of which were recorded in the Gospel of John. Among them was this bold statement, “I am the light of the world.” If anyone else had made this profession, he would have been dismissed as a fool, or an arrogant narcissist. Jesus is the only one who could make such a statement with authority. He is the Creator of the world, and with that accomplishment in His resume, it was well within His jurisdiction to proclaim to be the light to the world!

Paul said, “In him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him” (Colossians 1:16 NIV). John, in his Revelation wrote, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11 NIV). 

God is the source and beginning of light. In Creation, light sprang forth in obedience to His command, “Let there be light.” The light was challenged with the entrance of sin into the world. Disobedience by the first humans introduced darkness and division from the heavenly light. It has been God’s desire from that moment to restore humanity into relationship with Him that we may again walk in light. That was Christ’s desire and plan. He said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46 NIV).

Isaiah declared the day was coming when we might again walk in the light. He predicted, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned” (Isaiah 9:2 NIV). Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that prophecy. Yet when He came there were those who chose rather to remain in darkness. John recorded, “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil” (John 3:18 NIV).

The clash of eternal conflict did not disappear simply because Jesus came to earth. If anything, the minions of darkness try all the harder to obscure the light of revelation. However, the power of The Deliverer has stripped away the authority the enemy once owned and all who seek the light can find it! 

The victorious song, There’s no Body in the Grave Now, by Elevation Worship, is our theme for Easter and will be referenced through this season. One phrase references this conflict between darkness and the light boldly proclaiming, “Darkness, your hour is over, Light of the world, mighty to save!” 

The enemy is defeated and Jesus is victorious. Not only is He, the Light, all who believe in Him has the same promise. Jesus said, “… those who embrace me will experience life-giving light, and they will never walk in darkness” (John 8:12 TPT). No child of God needs to fear the darkness. The light has come and we are surrounded by His brilliance. Peter reminds us, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

The reign of darkness is defeated. Jesus is victorious and the light of His Gospel shines to every corner of the globe declaring, He is Mighty to Save! 

Theme passage:
“Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Matthew 28:5-6 NIV).