WALKING WITH THE FRIEND OF SINNERS Day 118

Posted on Mar 27, 2016 in General |

Read Luke 24:1-12

JESUS RISES FROM THE DEAD
The women brought spices to the tomb as you would bring flowers as a sign of love and respect.
The two men in dazzling robes were angels. When angels appeared to people, they always looked like humans.
The two angels asked the women why they were looking in a tomb for someone that was alive. Often you run into people who are looking for God among the dead. They study the Bible as mere historical book and go to church as if going to a memorial service. But Jesus is not among the dead, He lives! He reigns in the hearts of Christians, and He is the head of the church. Do you look for Jesus among the living? Do you expect Him to be active in the world and in the church? Look for signs of His power and presence, for they are all around you.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built; without it there would be no Christian church today. Jesus’ resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about paradise and the afterlife, and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God that became human, literally died for His people, and was raised in power and glory to reign forever.
Why is the resurrection so important? 1)Because Christ was raised from the dead, you know that the kingdom of God has broken into earth’s history. Our world is now headed for redemption, not disaster. God’s mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus’ Second Coming. 2) Because of the resurrection, you know that death has been conquered and you, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ. 3) The resurrection gives authority to the church’s witness in the world. 4) The resurrection gives meaning to the church’s sacrament of the Lord’s Supper. 5) The resurrection helps you find meaning even in great tragedy; hope for the future. 6) The resurrection assures you that Christ is alive and ruling His kingdom. 7) God’s power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to you so that you can live for Him in an evil world.
Christians can look very different from one another, and they can hold widely and varying beliefs about politics, life style, and even theology. But one central belief unites and inspires all true Christians: Jesus Christ rose from the dead.

People who hear about the resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like the disciples, they may pass through four stages of belief: 1) At first, they may think of it as a fairy tale, impossible to believe; 2) They may check out the facts, but still be puzzled about what happened; 3) Only when they encounter Jesus personally will they be able to accept the fact of the resurrection; 4) Then as they commit themselves to Jesus and devote their lives to serving Him, they will begin fully to understand the reality of His presence with them.