THE CURIOUS CHRISTIANS

The morning of the resurrection is filled with wonder, confusion, and holy mystery. John 20 records Mary Magdalene weeping outside the empty tomb, only to hear her name spoken by the risen Lord. In her joy, she moves to embrace Him, but Jesus stops her: “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” (John 20:17, ESV) Why would Jesus forbid Mary to touch Him, yet later encourage His disciples, and even Thomas, to handle His wounds (Luke 24:39; John 20:27)? The answer lies in the priestly role of Christ and the meaning of His resurrection. The High Priest and the Holy of Holies In the Old Testament, the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies once a year on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). He brought the blood of sacrifice before the presence of God to secure atonement for Israel. During this solemn act, no one could touch or hinder him. His consecration ha...

Understanding Sheol, Hades, and the Victory of the Cross Few questions stir as much curiosity among believers as what happened to Jesus between His death and resurrection. When He cried out on the cross, “Father, into Your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46), where did His spirit go? Did He descend into hell? Was He tormented there, or did He enter in triumph? To answer, we must examine the language of Scripture, the Jewish background of Sheol, and the New Testament’s testimony regarding Christ’s death, resurrection, and heavenly priesthood. Death and the Jewish Hope of Resurrection In ancient Jewish thought, resurrection was central. The Hebrew Scriptures promised a day when the dead would rise: “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:2) “The Lord brings death and makes alive; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.” (1 Samuel 2:6) The dead were understood to go to Sheol (Hebrew: ...