What difference would it make if Jesus of Nazareth is dead or alive?
The resurrection shows that God the Father accepted the sacrifice of Jesus Christ -- His Son. You see, God provided Himself a lamb. In Old Testament times God required that the Jews offer blood sacrifices for the forgiveness of sins.
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission" (Heb 9:22).
The resurrection shows that the Gospel is true. Because of the resurrection of Christ, we can have the gift of eternal life. That is one of the most important reasons for the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Because Jesus rose from the dead, we too can rise from the dead through His grace.
"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage" (Hebrews 12:14, 15).
The preaching of Christianity would be a bad joke if it were not for the fact that Jesus Christ did rise from the dead!
Christianity proclaims Jesus is alive! But all other religious leaders' bodies are in their graves right now.
No one could be saved and go to heaven without the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. We are still in our sins if the resurrection did not happen. The resurrection is crucial to the salvation of sinners, because without the resurrection we are still lost in our sins.
Christianity spread throughout the entire Roman Empire and believers were willing to be lighted as human torches to light up Nero's palace gardens so that his guests could see at night!
Why would anyone in his or her right mind be willing to be turned into a human torch unless the resurrection was true?
Christ is praying for believers right now in heaven because of the resurrection. The Holy Spirit was sent to believers because of the resurrection. Those who believe experience Christ living within them and living through them because of the resurrection.
There is the guarantee of our own resurrection if we trust Jesus because He rose from the dead.
Jesus Christ is the eternal ruler over earth and is its judge because of the resurrection.
The grave clothes resting like an empty cocoon on the rock shelf in the burial cave proclaim the joyful news, "Death is defeated!"
Jesus is the resurrection and the life! He'll never wear grave clothes again! When he appeared to his disciples after the resurrection, he appeared not in a shroud of death -- but walking in endless life.
You and I are dying. We all have the sentence of death upon us. No matter how rich, powerful or happy you may be right now, the grave is your number one enemy! You don't know how you're going to die. It could be in a car accident or by disease. One day there will be a grave stone with your name on it. The only exception is if Jesus Christ returns in your lifetime and you are a true believer in Christ. Those who are alive when He returns will never die at all according to the Bible.
"For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not precede them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words. (1 Thesssalonians 4:15-18).
Because of the the empty tomb of Jesus, we have hope. Christ is risen indeed! Everything looks different to the one who thrusts in Christ? Even the sorrows of life are made lighter.
Will death win over you in the end or are you in Christ Who conquered death?
Eternity is waiting for everyone, so the question for you to consider is where will you spend eternity when death calls?
You may not be thinking about Jesus that much today or on the other days of your life either, but someday you will stand before Him as your judge or as your Savior.
I invite you to consider the evidence of the resurrection that is located on this web site. Think about the death and resurrection of Jesus and what God's glorious gift of eternal life can mean to you!
The Gospel is real! Its message is astonishing! Jesus is really alive!
No matter how successful you may think you are, you're wasting your life if you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ. For the one who rejects the most established historical fact of all time -- the resurrection of Christ -- eternity will be awful!
Please consider the facts about Jesus and the empty tomb. I urge you to trust the risen Savior today.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
You Can Know Jesus Rose from The Dead!
You Can Experience for Yourself The Hope of the Resurrection
Do you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive right now?
Or do you believe that the resurrection is a myth?
If you spend the few minutes necessary to read this article about the resurrection of the Son of God, you may be in for a surprise!
You will read life-changing news! Please consider the evidence of the resurrection of Christ for yourself.
Do you realize that the resurrection does not fit into the legend or myth category at all? There are a number of factors that go against the resurrection being a myth or legend.
Here are some facts for you to consider about the resurrection of the Son of God:
1. Legends take time to develop, but the news of the resurrection of Christ sprang up immediately.
Do you realize how long it takes for a myth to develop? Legends develop over a period of time and get embellished in the retelling of the stories. So it really takes a number of generations for myths to fully develop into their final forms.
The resurrection occurred in a particular definite location in Palestine under Pontius Pilate. The news was rapidly broadcast all over the Roman empire.
2. Over 500 witnesses encountered the risen Christ.
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to His followers for 40 days. At one time He appeared to more than 500 people at one time. Any of these people could answer questions. A lot of them remained alive years later after the resurrection to tell their own personal stories about seeing the living Christ.
Not all of these witnesses were friendly. One of them was a hostile witness. His name was Saul of Tarsus.
The number of witnesses in trials today is crucial. If you were to parade 500 eyewitnesses of a murder in a court of law before the jury, the accused would be found guilty due to the sheer number of eyewitnesses.
Remember, in the case of the resurrection of the Son of God, there were over 500 eyewitnesses!
3. The first Church was entirely Jewish and Jews are monotheists.
The death and rebirth of mythical gods is foreign to Judaism since Jews believe in only one God.
4. There is no description of the resurrection itself in the Bible.
If the resurrection was a legend, it would be described in glowing details.
5. The first witnesses to the resurrection were women.
However, the testimony of women didn't count in Roman or Jewish courts in that day, so why would a legend revolve around women instead of men?
If the resurrection is a legend, why would the people who started it want women to be the first witnesses since their testimony didn't even count in that day?
The apostles, who were the secondary heroes, were hiding from the Jews for fear of their lives.
You see, the women in the Gospel story were brave, but the men were totally devastated and scared to death! Remember, this was a patriarchal society. And if people were going to concoct a myth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they would not want to make women appear courageous in a man's world.
6. One of the prime witnesses, Mary Magdalene, didn't even recognize Jesus when she first saw Him.
Surprisingly, She didn't even see anything special about Jesus after the resurrection
at first and even thought He was a gardener! Does this sounds like a legendary hero?
7. What motive would the first Church have of suffering for a shamefully hung criminal?
The first Church was entirely made up of Jewish monotheists. Why would they accept as their Messiah a criminal that have been shamefully crucified on a Roman cross?
To summarize, the resurrection is not a myth. There was no time for a legend to develop. The story of the resurrection sprang up instantly. There were over 500 eyewitnesses who saw the living Christ. The death and rebirth of mythical gods is foreign to Judaism since they are monotheists and the first church was totally Jewish. Why would the apostle Paul, who started out as an enemy, later be willing to be martyred because he refused to deny the resurrection of Christ? Why were thousands of people willing to die -- even as human torches covered with oil to light Caesar's garden so his guests could see at night?
The resurrection of the Son of God from the dead is a historical fact! Many people have trusted Him and receive brand new lives. Why not you?
If you have not yet trusted Christ as your own Savior, why not trust Him right now?
Yes, trust Him and live for ever! Experience for yourself the glorious reality of the resurrection of Christ! Find out how wonderful it is to know deep in your own heart the peace and joy of the hope of the resurrection for yourself and your loved ones as well!
Do you believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead and is alive right now?
Or do you believe that the resurrection is a myth?
If you spend the few minutes necessary to read this article about the resurrection of the Son of God, you may be in for a surprise!
You will read life-changing news! Please consider the evidence of the resurrection of Christ for yourself.
Do you realize that the resurrection does not fit into the legend or myth category at all? There are a number of factors that go against the resurrection being a myth or legend.
Here are some facts for you to consider about the resurrection of the Son of God:
1. Legends take time to develop, but the news of the resurrection of Christ sprang up immediately.
Do you realize how long it takes for a myth to develop? Legends develop over a period of time and get embellished in the retelling of the stories. So it really takes a number of generations for myths to fully develop into their final forms.
The resurrection occurred in a particular definite location in Palestine under Pontius Pilate. The news was rapidly broadcast all over the Roman empire.
2. Over 500 witnesses encountered the risen Christ.
After His resurrection, Jesus Christ appeared to His followers for 40 days. At one time He appeared to more than 500 people at one time. Any of these people could answer questions. A lot of them remained alive years later after the resurrection to tell their own personal stories about seeing the living Christ.
Not all of these witnesses were friendly. One of them was a hostile witness. His name was Saul of Tarsus.
The number of witnesses in trials today is crucial. If you were to parade 500 eyewitnesses of a murder in a court of law before the jury, the accused would be found guilty due to the sheer number of eyewitnesses.
Remember, in the case of the resurrection of the Son of God, there were over 500 eyewitnesses!
3. The first Church was entirely Jewish and Jews are monotheists.
The death and rebirth of mythical gods is foreign to Judaism since Jews believe in only one God.
4. There is no description of the resurrection itself in the Bible.
If the resurrection was a legend, it would be described in glowing details.
5. The first witnesses to the resurrection were women.
However, the testimony of women didn't count in Roman or Jewish courts in that day, so why would a legend revolve around women instead of men?
If the resurrection is a legend, why would the people who started it want women to be the first witnesses since their testimony didn't even count in that day?
The apostles, who were the secondary heroes, were hiding from the Jews for fear of their lives.
You see, the women in the Gospel story were brave, but the men were totally devastated and scared to death! Remember, this was a patriarchal society. And if people were going to concoct a myth about the resurrection of Jesus Christ, they would not want to make women appear courageous in a man's world.
6. One of the prime witnesses, Mary Magdalene, didn't even recognize Jesus when she first saw Him.
Surprisingly, She didn't even see anything special about Jesus after the resurrection
at first and even thought He was a gardener! Does this sounds like a legendary hero?
7. What motive would the first Church have of suffering for a shamefully hung criminal?
The first Church was entirely made up of Jewish monotheists. Why would they accept as their Messiah a criminal that have been shamefully crucified on a Roman cross?
To summarize, the resurrection is not a myth. There was no time for a legend to develop. The story of the resurrection sprang up instantly. There were over 500 eyewitnesses who saw the living Christ. The death and rebirth of mythical gods is foreign to Judaism since they are monotheists and the first church was totally Jewish. Why would the apostle Paul, who started out as an enemy, later be willing to be martyred because he refused to deny the resurrection of Christ? Why were thousands of people willing to die -- even as human torches covered with oil to light Caesar's garden so his guests could see at night?
The resurrection of the Son of God from the dead is a historical fact! Many people have trusted Him and receive brand new lives. Why not you?
If you have not yet trusted Christ as your own Savior, why not trust Him right now?
Yes, trust Him and live for ever! Experience for yourself the glorious reality of the resurrection of Christ! Find out how wonderful it is to know deep in your own heart the peace and joy of the hope of the resurrection for yourself and your loved ones as well!
Ultimate Victory of The Resurrection
First of all, let's look at the ultimate victory of the Resurrection in the Gospels as presented by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
According to the New Testament, Christ Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless live, healed the sick, raised the dead and preached the good news. His enemies judged , arrested and crucified Jesus Christ, but they could not keep the Lord Jesus Christ in the grave!
Three days later He rose again from the dead!
Appearance of Christ to Witnesses:
1. Mary Magdalene
The first witnesses to see the risen Christ was Mary Magdalene after Jesus' death and resurrection.
It is touching that He appeared to her after He had risen from the dead. You see, she had found out that his body was missing and she wanted to recover it. So she had really come seeking Jesus with a heart full of love. Read more about this encounter in Mark 16:9.
John 20:11 gives more information about Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ and the ultimate victory of the Resurrection.
These facts are from a different perspective, but they're not contradictory. She waited outside the tomb while John and Peter went into it and then left. She looked into the tomb and was startled by meeting two angels who asked her why she was crying. She replied that she was looking for the Lord Jesus. When others ran from the empty tomb, she stayed on. She did see Jesus, but she thought He was a gardener. Jesus asked her why she was crying.
Thinking He Was the gardener, she asked where the body of Jesus was so she could take Him away. Jesus spoke her name and immediately she realized who He was. If this had been a ghostly visitor, she would have recognized a demonic manifestation for she was well-versed in demonic activity. But she knew it was her Lord when He spoke her name. She immediately went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord. With triumphant joy she exclaimed, "He’s alive! I’ve seen Him!
Although the disciples doubted her testimony, Mary Magdalene was convinced she had seen the Lord!
She had experienced first hand Jesus' ultimate victory of the Resurrection!
2. Other Women
In Matthew 28:9 we discover that Jesus revealed Himself alive to two or more other women as well. Again we notice that the second appearance was to women whose testimony wouldn't have counted in a court of law of their day. So if this was merely a legend, why choose women as the first witnesses?
Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!" They too saw the Lord. They came and held Him by the feet -- the wounded, bleeding feet of Jesus. He was probably bare-footed or wore sandals, so the scars on His feet would have been visible. These women worshipped Him for they knew He was their Lord! If Jesus wasn’t truly God, He wouldn’t have accepted their worship.
The risen Savior is to be worshipped!
3. Peter
In Luke 24:34 we see that the resurrected Christ had a private meeting with Peter after Jesus' death and resurrection.
We’re not told a thing about this interview. In Mark 16:7 a special mention is made of Peter because of his threefold denial of Christ. You see, Peter had miserably failed the Lord, but Jesus brought him back to Himself. The Lord went to him personally and privately and restored him. During this precious private interview, Peter confessed and was restored.
4. The two on the way to Emmaus
In Luke 24:13 we read of this encounter that happened on the day of the resurrection. Two followers of Christ were talking together of all the things that had happened. One of them was named Cleopas. As they were talking, Jesus Himself joined them. During their walk, Jesus open the Bible to them from the beginning and shared what Scripture prophesied about the Messiah. When they arrived at their home, Jesus acted as though He would go on. But they urged Him to eat with them. When He broke bread and passed it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew that this was Jesus alive!
As soon as they recognized who He was, He vanished from their sight. That's because in His resurrection body, He could be present or vanish instantaneously. These followers were convinced that they had really seen Jesus for according to Luke 24:33 -- they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem where they found the eleven. With joy they share the great good news and were informed -- the Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon. The two on the way to Emmaus were absolutely convinced that Jesus was alive!
5. Ten apostles (first appearance to them).
Jesus appeared after his resurrection to 10 of his disciples at one time. This is recorded in John 20:19. Thomas was missing on that occasion. This was the same day -- resurrection day -- in the evening at the close of the day when the doors were shut. The disciples were hiding because they were afraid of what the Jewish leaders would do to them.
Suddenly Jesus appeared to them and greeted them, “Peace be unto you." Then he showed them His hands and His wounded side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw their Lord.
6. Thomas (second appearance to the apostles)
Thomas was not with the other apostles when Jesus visited them. This meeting with Thomas happened on a Sunday a week after Jesus had appeared to the other 10 disciples. Thomas didn’t go to all the meetings and therefore missed out. The ecstatic 10 men joyfully shared with Thomas that Jesus was risen! You see, they were absolutely convinced. There was no doubt about it.
"The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).
Then saith He to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."
Jesus knew all about Thomas’ doubts. He came back and appeared this time just for him. Now it's doubting Thomas no more -- for he now believed. "My Lord and my God," he exclaimed. He was a doubter for one week only.
By the way, this section of the Bible proves the diety of Christ. If Jesus was not God, he would not have let Thomas worship him.
7. Third appearance to the apostles
After Jesus had risen from the dead, the apostles returned to fishing. They had fished all night but caught nothing. Probably they were dependent on fish for their food. Jesus appeared to them again -- this time standing on the shore. He commanded them to cast their net on the right side of the ship. Immediately it filled up with 153 great fishes. John said, ‘It is the Lord.” Then Jesus prepared breakfast for them and asked them to come and eat.
8. 500 believers
1 Cor. 15:5 was written about 20 years after the resurrection of Christ. This text states that Christ was seen of Cephas (Peter) and then the 12 and then about 500 brethren at once. Many were still alive 20 years later. You could go and ask these 500 eyewitnesses about the risen Christ whom they had seen.
If you have 500 eyewitnesses to an event -- that’s profoundly credible and compelling evidence! They were on hand for many years to give eyewitness accounts of the evidence of the resurrection of Christ!
9. James
I Cor.15:7 tells us that the resurrected Christ was also seen by James. This apparently was another personal interview. James was the head apostle in the city of Jerusalem. He was the chairman who many looked to for leadership. This disciple was convinced Jesus rose from the dead.
10. The ascension of Christ
Acts 1:10 recounts to us the ascension of Christ. While they looked steadfastly toward heaven, Jesus was taken up and covered by a cloud. Then two angels appeared and told the crowd that Jesus would return the same way He went into heaven.
Yes, this same Jesus -- with the marks of Calvary -- will come again in the same way he ascended into heaven.
Were the disciples convinced Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven? Yes, they tarried at Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. They went to the upper room and started praying. Then the Holy Spirit descended upon them and gave them power to preach the great good news of the living Christ starting from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth!
It's important to realize that prayer is based on the evidence and witness of a living Jesus. If He isn’t alive, prayer is worthless. But He is alive and He is seated in glory to hear the prayers of His people.
We are to work with the knowledge that Jesus is alive.
With great power the early believers gave witness of the resurrection. If Jesus was still dead, there would be no meaning to Christianity. But He is living and He is coming again! Think about what the ultimate victory of the Resurrection meant to these believers and what it can mean to you too!
11. Paul
Jesus showed Himself to Paul on the road to Damascus -- Acts 9:3-9 and Corinthians 15:8.
12. Other appearances after Jesus' death and resurrection:
These are implied in Acts 1:3.
According to the New Testament, Christ Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless live, healed the sick, raised the dead and preached the good news. His enemies judged , arrested and crucified Jesus Christ, but they could not keep the Lord Jesus Christ in the grave!
Three days later He rose again from the dead!
Appearance of Christ to Witnesses:
1. Mary Magdalene
The first witnesses to see the risen Christ was Mary Magdalene after Jesus' death and resurrection.
It is touching that He appeared to her after He had risen from the dead. You see, she had found out that his body was missing and she wanted to recover it. So she had really come seeking Jesus with a heart full of love. Read more about this encounter in Mark 16:9.
John 20:11 gives more information about Mary Magdalene's encounter with the risen Christ and the ultimate victory of the Resurrection.
These facts are from a different perspective, but they're not contradictory. She waited outside the tomb while John and Peter went into it and then left. She looked into the tomb and was startled by meeting two angels who asked her why she was crying. She replied that she was looking for the Lord Jesus. When others ran from the empty tomb, she stayed on. She did see Jesus, but she thought He was a gardener. Jesus asked her why she was crying.
Thinking He Was the gardener, she asked where the body of Jesus was so she could take Him away. Jesus spoke her name and immediately she realized who He was. If this had been a ghostly visitor, she would have recognized a demonic manifestation for she was well-versed in demonic activity. But she knew it was her Lord when He spoke her name. She immediately went and told the disciples she had seen the Lord. With triumphant joy she exclaimed, "He’s alive! I’ve seen Him!
Although the disciples doubted her testimony, Mary Magdalene was convinced she had seen the Lord!
She had experienced first hand Jesus' ultimate victory of the Resurrection!
2. Other Women
In Matthew 28:9 we discover that Jesus revealed Himself alive to two or more other women as well. Again we notice that the second appearance was to women whose testimony wouldn't have counted in a court of law of their day. So if this was merely a legend, why choose women as the first witnesses?
Jesus met them and said, “Rejoice!" They too saw the Lord. They came and held Him by the feet -- the wounded, bleeding feet of Jesus. He was probably bare-footed or wore sandals, so the scars on His feet would have been visible. These women worshipped Him for they knew He was their Lord! If Jesus wasn’t truly God, He wouldn’t have accepted their worship.
The risen Savior is to be worshipped!
3. Peter
In Luke 24:34 we see that the resurrected Christ had a private meeting with Peter after Jesus' death and resurrection.
We’re not told a thing about this interview. In Mark 16:7 a special mention is made of Peter because of his threefold denial of Christ. You see, Peter had miserably failed the Lord, but Jesus brought him back to Himself. The Lord went to him personally and privately and restored him. During this precious private interview, Peter confessed and was restored.
4. The two on the way to Emmaus
In Luke 24:13 we read of this encounter that happened on the day of the resurrection. Two followers of Christ were talking together of all the things that had happened. One of them was named Cleopas. As they were talking, Jesus Himself joined them. During their walk, Jesus open the Bible to them from the beginning and shared what Scripture prophesied about the Messiah. When they arrived at their home, Jesus acted as though He would go on. But they urged Him to eat with them. When He broke bread and passed it to them, their eyes were opened and they knew that this was Jesus alive!
As soon as they recognized who He was, He vanished from their sight. That's because in His resurrection body, He could be present or vanish instantaneously. These followers were convinced that they had really seen Jesus for according to Luke 24:33 -- they rose up the same hour and returned to Jerusalem where they found the eleven. With joy they share the great good news and were informed -- the Lord is risen indeed and hath appeared to Simon. The two on the way to Emmaus were absolutely convinced that Jesus was alive!
5. Ten apostles (first appearance to them).
Jesus appeared after his resurrection to 10 of his disciples at one time. This is recorded in John 20:19. Thomas was missing on that occasion. This was the same day -- resurrection day -- in the evening at the close of the day when the doors were shut. The disciples were hiding because they were afraid of what the Jewish leaders would do to them.
Suddenly Jesus appeared to them and greeted them, “Peace be unto you." Then he showed them His hands and His wounded side. Then were the disciples glad when they saw their Lord.
6. Thomas (second appearance to the apostles)
Thomas was not with the other apostles when Jesus visited them. This meeting with Thomas happened on a Sunday a week after Jesus had appeared to the other 10 disciples. Thomas didn’t go to all the meetings and therefore missed out. The ecstatic 10 men joyfully shared with Thomas that Jesus was risen! You see, they were absolutely convinced. There was no doubt about it.
"The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25).
Then saith He to Thomas, "Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing."
Jesus knew all about Thomas’ doubts. He came back and appeared this time just for him. Now it's doubting Thomas no more -- for he now believed. "My Lord and my God," he exclaimed. He was a doubter for one week only.
By the way, this section of the Bible proves the diety of Christ. If Jesus was not God, he would not have let Thomas worship him.
7. Third appearance to the apostles
After Jesus had risen from the dead, the apostles returned to fishing. They had fished all night but caught nothing. Probably they were dependent on fish for their food. Jesus appeared to them again -- this time standing on the shore. He commanded them to cast their net on the right side of the ship. Immediately it filled up with 153 great fishes. John said, ‘It is the Lord.” Then Jesus prepared breakfast for them and asked them to come and eat.
8. 500 believers
1 Cor. 15:5 was written about 20 years after the resurrection of Christ. This text states that Christ was seen of Cephas (Peter) and then the 12 and then about 500 brethren at once. Many were still alive 20 years later. You could go and ask these 500 eyewitnesses about the risen Christ whom they had seen.
If you have 500 eyewitnesses to an event -- that’s profoundly credible and compelling evidence! They were on hand for many years to give eyewitness accounts of the evidence of the resurrection of Christ!
9. James
I Cor.15:7 tells us that the resurrected Christ was also seen by James. This apparently was another personal interview. James was the head apostle in the city of Jerusalem. He was the chairman who many looked to for leadership. This disciple was convinced Jesus rose from the dead.
10. The ascension of Christ
Acts 1:10 recounts to us the ascension of Christ. While they looked steadfastly toward heaven, Jesus was taken up and covered by a cloud. Then two angels appeared and told the crowd that Jesus would return the same way He went into heaven.
Yes, this same Jesus -- with the marks of Calvary -- will come again in the same way he ascended into heaven.
Were the disciples convinced Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven? Yes, they tarried at Jerusalem until they were endued with power from on high. They went to the upper room and started praying. Then the Holy Spirit descended upon them and gave them power to preach the great good news of the living Christ starting from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth!
It's important to realize that prayer is based on the evidence and witness of a living Jesus. If He isn’t alive, prayer is worthless. But He is alive and He is seated in glory to hear the prayers of His people.
We are to work with the knowledge that Jesus is alive.
With great power the early believers gave witness of the resurrection. If Jesus was still dead, there would be no meaning to Christianity. But He is living and He is coming again! Think about what the ultimate victory of the Resurrection meant to these believers and what it can mean to you too!
11. Paul
Jesus showed Himself to Paul on the road to Damascus -- Acts 9:3-9 and Corinthians 15:8.
12. Other appearances after Jesus' death and resurrection:
These are implied in Acts 1:3.
Resurrection appearances
The resurrection of Jesus Christ was the beginning of Christianity. If Christ had not been resurrected and seen by many people (more than 500), Christianity would not exist today. Jesus made twelve appearances after his resurrection:
1. His first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, on that early Sunday morning. (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-18).
2. Jesus appeared to the women returning from the tomb. (Matthew 28:9-10).
3. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12-13).
4. He appeared to Peter in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).
5. He appeared to his disciples and other followers, and also a second time to the two men from Emmaus, in a locked room in Jerusalem. The apostle Thomas wasn't there at that time. (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23).
6. A week later, Jesus again appeared to his disciples behind locked doors, and this time Thomas was present. (John 20:24-29).
7. Jesus appeared to seven of his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-24).
8. Jesus was seen by 500 believers at one time. (1 Corinthians 15:6).
9. He appeared to James. (1 Corinthians 15:7).
10. He appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. (Matt. 28:18-20).
11. He walked with his disciples along the road to Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, and then ascended into Heaven. (Luke 24:50-53).
12. He was seen by Paul on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8).
1. His first appearance was to Mary Magdalene, on that early Sunday morning. (Mark 16:9; John 20:10-18).
2. Jesus appeared to the women returning from the tomb. (Matthew 28:9-10).
3. Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. (Luke 24:13-32; Mark 16:12-13).
4. He appeared to Peter in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).
5. He appeared to his disciples and other followers, and also a second time to the two men from Emmaus, in a locked room in Jerusalem. The apostle Thomas wasn't there at that time. (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23).
6. A week later, Jesus again appeared to his disciples behind locked doors, and this time Thomas was present. (John 20:24-29).
7. Jesus appeared to seven of his disciples on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. (John 21:1-24).
8. Jesus was seen by 500 believers at one time. (1 Corinthians 15:6).
9. He appeared to James. (1 Corinthians 15:7).
10. He appeared to eleven disciples on a mountain in Galilee. (Matt. 28:18-20).
11. He walked with his disciples along the road to Bethany, on the Mount of Olives, and then ascended into Heaven. (Luke 24:50-53).
12. He was seen by Paul on the road to Damascus. (Acts 9:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:8).
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Christmas Celebrations '2010
The Word of God for our sermon meditation this Christmas Eve
was recorded for our faith and life in the Gospel of St. Luke, the
2
nd
chapter, beginning with this 10
th
verse Then the angel said to
them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this
will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling
cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory
to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The story is told of a king who once issued a challenge, with a
reward, to the artist who could best depict peace. Many different
paintings were created showing serene scenes of meadows, calm
waters, mountain views and the like. These paintings were also
populated with rabbits, doves, and various animals one would
associate with a peaceful setting. Sunshine and brightly colored
flowers brightened the canvasses in an effort to win the king’s
reward.
One painting, however, was unlike the others. It was dark with
storm clouds filling the air and lightening strikes in the
background. The scene was anything but pleasant as it was a
rocky and jagged shoreline with angry waves crashing and
pummeling the rock face. Nothing living was included in this
picture except a little child who sat under an outcropping of rock
with a smile on her face. No fear was in her eyes. No terror was
etched on her face. She wore merely a smile of joy and
contentment amid that fearsome storm. It was this painting that
received the king’s reward for it showed peace as no other.
Peace. The world has its ideas of peace and it is often depicted
as those first artists sought to depict it. Peace is said to be a life
free of conflict, fear, and uncertainty in life. It is said to be a life
where all is going well with nary a trouble and sorrow in sight.
When the world speaks of peace it wants the perfect life, the
shimmering meadow scene where waters are always calm and life
is always agreeable. It was a world where everyone gets along,
where all differences are set aside, and all are happy.
Though this is what the world often depicts as peace, we, as
God’s people, know that this is not true peace. We know life in this world is anything but peaceful and not just because of the war
on terror and other threats to our nation and persons. Life in this
world is usually stormy, confounded by conflicts, filled with fears,
and full of confrontations with others who are often Scrooge-like
all year long. Though greatly desired this time of year, peace
often seems to be the most elusive guest of all.
Yet, there is a peace that can stand up under life’s everyday
pressures, stresses, and sorrows. There is a peace that can bring
healing to families fraught with friction. There is a peace that can
comfort and assuage even the most guilt-ridden soul. There is a
peace that is not dependent on anything in this world – not money,
not friends, not decorations, nothing in all this creation. The
peace that endures even when all of life is crashing down on us,
when our best laid plans have gone down the tubes again, when
all seems to conspire against us is found not in this world but
rather has come from heaven. It is God’s Christmas Peace.
This is what the angels announce to those fear filled shepherds
the night of Jesus’ birth. God’s Christmas peace is given us in the
Babe of Bethlehem born of Mary in the shelter of a cave. He is,
as Isaiah the Prophet told us, none other than the Prince of
Peace, the Author and only Source of peace that has no end. For
only Jesus can dispel our fears. Only the Lord can assure us that
all is well with God on high, that we indeed enjoy His good will and
favor. Only Christ the Lord can guard and keep us safe through
all things to heaven’s peace.
Only He who is our Peace can remove the guilt and shame of
wrongs that have been done, of deeds that have remained
undone. Only the Divine Savior of the world, born into this world
that first Christmas, laid in a feeding trough and worshiped by
angels and shepherds can give the peace that surpasses all
understanding. Only the Lord Jesus who entered and lived in this
sin-fallen and conflicted existence of ours can give us the
confidence and contentment that allows us to smile at all our fears
and through all the storms of life.
For God’s peace, rather than removing all of our troubles and
woes in this life, rather than setting us up in a paradise on earth,
actually equips us to endure the sorrows and afflictions of this age
no matter how threatening and tempestuous they might be. God’s
peace enables us by faith in Jesus to look at our conflicted,
troubled, topsy-turvy lives and remain confident that even if the
world be turned upside down, we are still standing on He who is
the solid Rock of our salvation.
God’s peace is the conviction that all things – our lives, our souls,
our family, our friends, our finances, our eternal rest – all these
and more are in God’s hands, the hands that reached out to His
mother Mary, the hands that were fastened to a tree on Calvary’s
hill, the hands that spread out on us in benediction and will
welcome us into His eternal glory. God’s peace in Jesus Christ is
the assurance that with God on our side, He is all that we need.
That He is our Peace is stated by the angel that first Christmas
night. For Jesus was born on this earth to be our Savior, to reveal
to us that instead of God’s wrath for sins we now will receive His
good will and favor. Jesus’ birth into the world announces to you
and me that God desires that we all be saved and come to faith in
His Son. Jesus’ incarnation proclaims that God wants nothing
more than you and I to enter Paradise, enter heaven where there
is peace without end.
For Jesus is God’s message of peace to all mankind. Firstly, He
is our Peace before God on account of our sins. This is the very
reason Jesus is even conceived and born into this world as the
angel Gabriel announced “He will save His people from their sins.”
For without Christ we would remain at odds with God and be
subject to His punishment and wrath. Without Christ, God’s
Christmas Peace, we could only expect to endure the torments
and agonies of hell. Without Jesus born in the city of David, we
could never enter the eternal city of our God.
For our sin, even our sins of buying into the world’s ideas of
peace, created a state of war and hostility between God and us.
God’s wrath and displeasure had to be satisfied for we can never
stand in His presence and face Him in our sins. This is why the
shepherds are first filled with fear. They know of their sin and that
the holiness of God that accompanies the angels means certain
destruction for them. They know that unless the conflict between
the holy God and sinful man be ended, they and we have only one
end.
But the angel announces to them and to us this night that we do
not have to fear. The angel brings us good tidings, glad news of
God’s Christmas Peace in the Child of Mary born in Bethlehem.
The angel tells us of peace, of good will for us from God wrapped
up in this Babe who is swaddled and laid in a manger. In the Son
of God Incarnate the solution to our warfare with God is given, the
answer to our sin is given, peace and pardon has been given in
He who is the Prince of Peace.
This peace with God is now ours through the blood of Jesus’
cross. Forgiveness and pardon before God is ours through faith in
that Babe of Bethlehem who was laid in wood, who grew up
working wood, and who was nailed to the wood of the cross for
our salvation. Through faith in Him, having been justified through
faith in His name, we have peace with God. Our sins have been
taken away. God’s punishment has been served. His displeasure
and wrath have been turn to good will and favor. In Jesus, by
believing on Him as the only Savior of the world, of each of us
individually, we have peace with God.
That means we never have to wonder where we stand with God
since we stand on Christ. We know that we are no longer subject
to His condemnation and judgment on sin because our sins,
through faith in Jesus are no more. Feeling guilty over a wrong
done or some deed left undone? Fear not for I bring you good
tidings of great joy – in Jesus you are forgiven and are at peace
with God on high. Are you dreading the day after, the Christmas
let-down? Fear not for in Christ Jesus you are promised and
given all the strength and support you need for your every life
situation.
Are you wondering how you are going to make it in the coming
year, how you will cope with your or another’s failing health? Fear
not for in Jesus you have the One who has borne your sicknesses
and sorrows and promises to give you rest. Are you questioning
how you forge ahead on the daunting and dark path before you?
Fear not for Christ is with you and has surrounded you with His
angels to watch over you and keep you. Are you looking for relief,
for some sign from God that He cares about you and what you are
facing in your life? Fear not for He has given you that sign in His
Son born of Mary that first Christmas.
For in Jesus we have the One who can and who promises to give
us all that we need for this faith and this life. In Him our
forgiveness has been secured. In Him our eternal rest is
guaranteed. In Him we have our life and being. In Him we have
the conviction, the assurance, the confidence that in the midst of
all of life’s storms, no matter what they might be for each one of
us, whether relationships, health, finances, and more, He is our
Savior and Lord come to be our Brother and King. He is on our
side. He is Immanuel, God with us.
It is He that in the end that enabled the shepherds to dismiss their
fears and run to His side to worship Him the first Christmas. It is
He who gave them the joy that led them to tell everyone about all
they had seen and heard. It is He who saved them and us from
our sins. It is He who can cause us to smile on all our woes, face
our troubles, and live our lives no matter how harsh the winds,
angry the waves, and sore the tempest because He is our Peace.
For each and every day, to each and every one He is God’s
Christmas Peace Amen
was recorded for our faith and life in the Gospel of St. Luke, the
2
nd
chapter, beginning with this 10
th
verse Then the angel said to
them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of
great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this
day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this
will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling
cloths, lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: "Glory
to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!"
The story is told of a king who once issued a challenge, with a
reward, to the artist who could best depict peace. Many different
paintings were created showing serene scenes of meadows, calm
waters, mountain views and the like. These paintings were also
populated with rabbits, doves, and various animals one would
associate with a peaceful setting. Sunshine and brightly colored
flowers brightened the canvasses in an effort to win the king’s
reward.
One painting, however, was unlike the others. It was dark with
storm clouds filling the air and lightening strikes in the
background. The scene was anything but pleasant as it was a
rocky and jagged shoreline with angry waves crashing and
pummeling the rock face. Nothing living was included in this
picture except a little child who sat under an outcropping of rock
with a smile on her face. No fear was in her eyes. No terror was
etched on her face. She wore merely a smile of joy and
contentment amid that fearsome storm. It was this painting that
received the king’s reward for it showed peace as no other.
Peace. The world has its ideas of peace and it is often depicted
as those first artists sought to depict it. Peace is said to be a life
free of conflict, fear, and uncertainty in life. It is said to be a life
where all is going well with nary a trouble and sorrow in sight.
When the world speaks of peace it wants the perfect life, the
shimmering meadow scene where waters are always calm and life
is always agreeable. It was a world where everyone gets along,
where all differences are set aside, and all are happy.
Though this is what the world often depicts as peace, we, as
God’s people, know that this is not true peace. We know life in this world is anything but peaceful and not just because of the war
on terror and other threats to our nation and persons. Life in this
world is usually stormy, confounded by conflicts, filled with fears,
and full of confrontations with others who are often Scrooge-like
all year long. Though greatly desired this time of year, peace
often seems to be the most elusive guest of all.
Yet, there is a peace that can stand up under life’s everyday
pressures, stresses, and sorrows. There is a peace that can bring
healing to families fraught with friction. There is a peace that can
comfort and assuage even the most guilt-ridden soul. There is a
peace that is not dependent on anything in this world – not money,
not friends, not decorations, nothing in all this creation. The
peace that endures even when all of life is crashing down on us,
when our best laid plans have gone down the tubes again, when
all seems to conspire against us is found not in this world but
rather has come from heaven. It is God’s Christmas Peace.
This is what the angels announce to those fear filled shepherds
the night of Jesus’ birth. God’s Christmas peace is given us in the
Babe of Bethlehem born of Mary in the shelter of a cave. He is,
as Isaiah the Prophet told us, none other than the Prince of
Peace, the Author and only Source of peace that has no end. For
only Jesus can dispel our fears. Only the Lord can assure us that
all is well with God on high, that we indeed enjoy His good will and
favor. Only Christ the Lord can guard and keep us safe through
all things to heaven’s peace.
Only He who is our Peace can remove the guilt and shame of
wrongs that have been done, of deeds that have remained
undone. Only the Divine Savior of the world, born into this world
that first Christmas, laid in a feeding trough and worshiped by
angels and shepherds can give the peace that surpasses all
understanding. Only the Lord Jesus who entered and lived in this
sin-fallen and conflicted existence of ours can give us the
confidence and contentment that allows us to smile at all our fears
and through all the storms of life.
For God’s peace, rather than removing all of our troubles and
woes in this life, rather than setting us up in a paradise on earth,
actually equips us to endure the sorrows and afflictions of this age
no matter how threatening and tempestuous they might be. God’s
peace enables us by faith in Jesus to look at our conflicted,
troubled, topsy-turvy lives and remain confident that even if the
world be turned upside down, we are still standing on He who is
the solid Rock of our salvation.
God’s peace is the conviction that all things – our lives, our souls,
our family, our friends, our finances, our eternal rest – all these
and more are in God’s hands, the hands that reached out to His
mother Mary, the hands that were fastened to a tree on Calvary’s
hill, the hands that spread out on us in benediction and will
welcome us into His eternal glory. God’s peace in Jesus Christ is
the assurance that with God on our side, He is all that we need.
That He is our Peace is stated by the angel that first Christmas
night. For Jesus was born on this earth to be our Savior, to reveal
to us that instead of God’s wrath for sins we now will receive His
good will and favor. Jesus’ birth into the world announces to you
and me that God desires that we all be saved and come to faith in
His Son. Jesus’ incarnation proclaims that God wants nothing
more than you and I to enter Paradise, enter heaven where there
is peace without end.
For Jesus is God’s message of peace to all mankind. Firstly, He
is our Peace before God on account of our sins. This is the very
reason Jesus is even conceived and born into this world as the
angel Gabriel announced “He will save His people from their sins.”
For without Christ we would remain at odds with God and be
subject to His punishment and wrath. Without Christ, God’s
Christmas Peace, we could only expect to endure the torments
and agonies of hell. Without Jesus born in the city of David, we
could never enter the eternal city of our God.
For our sin, even our sins of buying into the world’s ideas of
peace, created a state of war and hostility between God and us.
God’s wrath and displeasure had to be satisfied for we can never
stand in His presence and face Him in our sins. This is why the
shepherds are first filled with fear. They know of their sin and that
the holiness of God that accompanies the angels means certain
destruction for them. They know that unless the conflict between
the holy God and sinful man be ended, they and we have only one
end.
But the angel announces to them and to us this night that we do
not have to fear. The angel brings us good tidings, glad news of
God’s Christmas Peace in the Child of Mary born in Bethlehem.
The angel tells us of peace, of good will for us from God wrapped
up in this Babe who is swaddled and laid in a manger. In the Son
of God Incarnate the solution to our warfare with God is given, the
answer to our sin is given, peace and pardon has been given in
He who is the Prince of Peace.
This peace with God is now ours through the blood of Jesus’
cross. Forgiveness and pardon before God is ours through faith in
that Babe of Bethlehem who was laid in wood, who grew up
working wood, and who was nailed to the wood of the cross for
our salvation. Through faith in Him, having been justified through
faith in His name, we have peace with God. Our sins have been
taken away. God’s punishment has been served. His displeasure
and wrath have been turn to good will and favor. In Jesus, by
believing on Him as the only Savior of the world, of each of us
individually, we have peace with God.
That means we never have to wonder where we stand with God
since we stand on Christ. We know that we are no longer subject
to His condemnation and judgment on sin because our sins,
through faith in Jesus are no more. Feeling guilty over a wrong
done or some deed left undone? Fear not for I bring you good
tidings of great joy – in Jesus you are forgiven and are at peace
with God on high. Are you dreading the day after, the Christmas
let-down? Fear not for in Christ Jesus you are promised and
given all the strength and support you need for your every life
situation.
Are you wondering how you are going to make it in the coming
year, how you will cope with your or another’s failing health? Fear
not for in Jesus you have the One who has borne your sicknesses
and sorrows and promises to give you rest. Are you questioning
how you forge ahead on the daunting and dark path before you?
Fear not for Christ is with you and has surrounded you with His
angels to watch over you and keep you. Are you looking for relief,
for some sign from God that He cares about you and what you are
facing in your life? Fear not for He has given you that sign in His
Son born of Mary that first Christmas.
For in Jesus we have the One who can and who promises to give
us all that we need for this faith and this life. In Him our
forgiveness has been secured. In Him our eternal rest is
guaranteed. In Him we have our life and being. In Him we have
the conviction, the assurance, the confidence that in the midst of
all of life’s storms, no matter what they might be for each one of
us, whether relationships, health, finances, and more, He is our
Savior and Lord come to be our Brother and King. He is on our
side. He is Immanuel, God with us.
It is He that in the end that enabled the shepherds to dismiss their
fears and run to His side to worship Him the first Christmas. It is
He who gave them the joy that led them to tell everyone about all
they had seen and heard. It is He who saved them and us from
our sins. It is He who can cause us to smile on all our woes, face
our troubles, and live our lives no matter how harsh the winds,
angry the waves, and sore the tempest because He is our Peace.
For each and every day, to each and every one He is God’s
Christmas Peace Amen
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