Easter - It Was Predicted!

"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" -Matthew 16:21

One point that is often overlooked in discussions about Easter is that Jesus himself spoke often about his impending death and subsequent resurrection from the dead. This he taught his disciples while the whole idea seemed ludicrious to them. It was only after it happened that they remembered his words. Listen to what Jesus said:

"When they came together in Galilee, he (Jesus) said to them, 'The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.' And the disciples were filled with grief." (Matthew 17:22-23)

"Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, 'We are going up to Jerusalem and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.' The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about." (Luke 18:31-35)

Jesus did not just say that he would rise from the dead, he foretold how he would die in great detail. He said how long it would be after he died that he would arise from the dead. All of which came to pass just as he foretold!