Question from a WordTruth.Com friend:

>>Why did Jesus have to be dead for three days? And where was Jesus during those three days?

WordTruth.Com Response:

Three days is what Scripture records as the time that Jesus' body was in the tomb:

For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the  Scriptures,  and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. (1 Cor. 15:3-4, NKJV)

As to why God chose 3 days, Scripture does not tell us.  I suspect it is related to common Jewish myth in that day that believed the soul of a dead person sort of hovered around the body for a day or two before departing for good.  If so, then the 3 day period for Jesus' entombment would be sure to refute any idle speculation that He was not really dead.

Where was Jesus during those 3 days?  From the perspective of His humanity, the physical body was in the tomb (John 19:41-42). His spirit was kept alive by the Holy Spirit (1 Peter 3:18) as He does for all people.  From the perspective of His deity, He was still exists because He is eternal (John 1:1).  Keep in mind that Jesus is God the Son (Mark 1:9-11), the second person of the triune God (three persons -- Father, Son, and Holy Spirit -- in one divine nature/being).

So what happens to people who die?  Those who die without trusting in the LORD Jesus Christ have a physical body in the grave and a spirit in Hades awaiting the final judgment for unbelievers.  Believers who die have a physical body in the grave and a spirit that immediately goes into the presence of the LORD:

So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.  For we walk by faith, not by sight.  We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. (2 Cor. 5:6-9, NKJV)

See also Philippians 1:23 for similar teaching.  For believers who die, their spirit and body will be reunited at their resurrection and glorified, made fit for eternity in Heaven.

Keep studying God's word and seeking the wisdom of God (James 1:5-8) for He is faithful to do all that He has promised.

May the LORD Jesus Christ bless you with His wisdom and the courage to follow Him!

  Randy Lariscy :-)
  Director - WordTruth Ministries

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Copyright 5/17/2000, Randy Lariscy.