As of late our young son has been spending lots of OUR time watching movies like "The Incredibles", "Spiderman" and others. What I have learned about these superheros is that they show up just when you need them and then they are gone. Sounds familiar!
After Jesus had risen from His grave, He appeared 11 times (the Bible recalls) to various people in various places. He would appear, and then He would be gone.
In the first spot I want to give you jumping to shout about, the Bible says this when some people went to Jesus' grave:
Luke 24:5 (nlt) --- The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
Jesus was gone. No body was found. Didn't appear to be stolen by bandits or the mafia. Jesus' body was gone. Can you imagine being there and seeing that? Then, you remember what He said. Jesus was alive again. From death to life....far too many times we are looking for good and living stuff where only dead stuff is (take a minute to chew on that one).
Over the next 40 days Jesus came and went talking to His disciples and giving them evidence of His life and purpose for keeping on. Why did Jesus do this?
Lots of reasons may come to mind, but I believe that Jesus was teaching us and those He appeared to that the Spirit, coming soon, was everywhere all the time. He was demonstrating the reality of how big and how good our God is. He is always with us and for us. He appeared to give them confidence, encouragement and purpose. He appeared to remind them and us of who is in charge and what we are to continue doing.
Listen up:
1 Peter 3:15 (nlt) --- Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
Now it is our turn to live this reality. No, we are not everywhere all the time, but our God is. We have to demonstrate the goodness and awesomeness of God by being His hands and feet and body. We need to tell others.
Here is the philosophy of the resurrection from a new point of view: it is time to get the attention of those we come in contact with and while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus!
After Jesus had risen from His grave, He appeared 11 times (the Bible recalls) to various people in various places. He would appear, and then He would be gone.
In the first spot I want to give you jumping to shout about, the Bible says this when some people went to Jesus' grave:
Luke 24:5 (nlt) --- The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?
Jesus was gone. No body was found. Didn't appear to be stolen by bandits or the mafia. Jesus' body was gone. Can you imagine being there and seeing that? Then, you remember what He said. Jesus was alive again. From death to life....far too many times we are looking for good and living stuff where only dead stuff is (take a minute to chew on that one).
Over the next 40 days Jesus came and went talking to His disciples and giving them evidence of His life and purpose for keeping on. Why did Jesus do this?
Lots of reasons may come to mind, but I believe that Jesus was teaching us and those He appeared to that the Spirit, coming soon, was everywhere all the time. He was demonstrating the reality of how big and how good our God is. He is always with us and for us. He appeared to give them confidence, encouragement and purpose. He appeared to remind them and us of who is in charge and what we are to continue doing.
Listen up:
1 Peter 3:15 (nlt) --- Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it.
Now it is our turn to live this reality. No, we are not everywhere all the time, but our God is. We have to demonstrate the goodness and awesomeness of God by being His hands and feet and body. We need to tell others.
Here is the philosophy of the resurrection from a new point of view: it is time to get the attention of those we come in contact with and while we have their attention, tell them about Jesus!
Comments