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When religious people conspired to
have Jesus Christ put to death out of fear and jealousy, they
thought they would be rid of Him. He was becoming more powerful than
they, so their plan would put an end to Him. “There. That should
take care of that.” They hoped. But, it didn’t.
As he predicted, He rose from the dead three days after being
tortured to death on a cross.
This astonishing development was the beginning of a movement that
has swept the world for the last two millennia.
The earliest followers of Jesus became emboldened at his post-death
reappearance. He revealed Himself to them alive, after they had
initially scattered in fear.
Over the years, even as then, skeptics have said this could not have
happened. Dead men do not come back to life. Everyone knows that.
So, how to explain this madness?
Did his fear-ridden followers suddenly suffer a mass hallucination?
All of them? Unlikely.
Did they devise a lie that Jesus rose from the dead? Drawing
attention to themselves with that would certainly lead to them also
being tracked down and killed. Their fear would not allow this.
At times, someone will die for a sincerely held belief, but they
will not give their life knowing something is a hoax.
The earliest followers of Jesus were killed for their faith, giving
testimony that they had personally seen the risen Jesus, had talked
with him and had even shared a meal with Him. This is unexplainable.
Why would they die for this belief, unless it actually happened.
A few years later, one of the early followers, a man named Paul,
said if Jesus didn’t really come back alive, the whole idea of
following Jesus is a waste of time.
Today, we who follow Jesus are
convinced He rose from the dead and He gives each of us who believe
in Him, the gift of eternal life as well.
This resurrected Jesus has left the
earth and has promised to return in the future. Until then, His
Spirit is here inviting you to open the door of your life and allow
His Spirit to come into your heart. With your heart, you can
believe. Even in His physical absence, His Spirit is calling you to
believe in Him and accept Him as your Lord and your Savior.
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The Bible declares, “Anyone who calls
upon the name of the Lord, will be saved.” That includes you. If you
have reached a place in your life that you recognize your need for
God’s help, call on the Risen Christ to save you right now.
If you have made this decision, tell someone, and begin reading
about Jesus in the Bible. If there is anything we can do to help you
grow in your faith, let us know.
Happy Easter! [Larry Collins
Lincoln First United Methodist Church]
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