We celebrate Resurrection Sunday with profound joy because we believe the Biblical truth that Jesus rose from the dead three days after His crucifixion. Others may dispute it but on what authority do they do so? The Bible is God’s Word, and there is no higher authority. None!
Besides, there are too many witnesses that would debunk any opposition to that reality since Jesus appeared physically to Mary Magdalene, Peter, two disciples on the road to Emmaus, the other disciples including Thomas, James, and 500 people at one time.
Speculation and controversy come whenever the Bible is not specific or does not elaborate on certain situations. For instance, where did Jesus go for three days after His death prior to His resurrection? We do know that Jesus did not go to a place of torment. There would be no reason for Him to go there – He paid the penalty for sin on the cross. We know He did not go to heaven either. He said so to Mary Magdalene in John 20:17, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.” There are many theories; some plausible, most debatable at best as to His whereabouts for three days.
And yet, Jesus Himself revealed to us where He went when He told the criminal on the cross next to Him, “Today, you will be with Me in Paradise.” So that settles the argument of where He went. But now the debate is where is Paradise?
Paradise is identified with Abraham’s bosom as in the story of the rich man and poor Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31. They both died – Lazarus was carried by angels to Abraham’s bosom, the blessed abode of the righteous (Paradise), and the rich man went to Hades, the abode for those waiting for their final judgment.
There is a great chasm separating the two realms of the dead – one is paradise and the other a place of torment. The rich man looked up and saw Abraham afar off and said to him, “Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”
Abraham answered, “Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.”
The third verse of “Christ the Lord is Risen Today!” says, “Love’s redeeming work is done; Fought the fight, the battle won. Death in vain forbids Him rise; Christ has opened Paradise.”
This is literary license but, Could the righteous dead in Paradise have heard this proclamation, “Attention! You have a Visitor!
Some commentaries say that the righteous dead who died before Christ’s resurrection were in comfort in Paradise. But, after Christ rose from the dead, He opened Paradise, and the souls of the righteous dead went to heaven to await the final judgment where they will receive their new glorified bodies that are instantly reunited with their souls and are awaiting their rewards.
This makes sense to me based on the story Jesus told of the rich man and poor Lazarus found in Luke 16:19-31, and His words to the criminal on the cross.
There are many mysteries regarding heaven and hell, but God has revealed enough for man to know that eternity with God in the new heaven is far better than eternity separated from Him in hell. We can understand the truth of God and heaven, but we fall far short of comprehending it fully.
My conclusion is that we can rejoice is what we do know – Jesus is risen from the dead. He drank the full cup of God’s wrath against sin and perfectly and completely satisfied the penalty of all sin for all time and offers the free gift of eternal life to those who believe. The Son of Man did it all – the redemption of man. In one weekend!! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!!! Alleluia!