April 11th, 2020

“Jesus Lives”
 
I serve a risen Saviour, He's in the world today
I know that He is living, whatever men may say
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him He's always near
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me  Along life's narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart
 
They were a unhappy dejected group, as they stared silently at the floor. Jesus had awakened in each of them, a desire to do better, an expectation of greatness. He kept talking about the kingdom, about eternal life. But now he was dead.  Their hopes, their expectations, their dreams, all had died with him. Why did this have to happen? What to do now? Where to go?
 
But then Mary came. Imagine the emotions that swept over them as she barged into their wretched world and breathlessly told those gathered that Jesus was alive. Could it be true? Hot emotions quickly swept over the crowd, one of harsh unbelief, as Thomas who later declared, “except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger in the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”  One of hopeful expectation, as ever-bold Peter, immediately rushed out to see if it were true. Then one by one they, all, saw him.  Jesus was definitely alive.
 
The same, yet, somehow different, their hearts and minds began to understand what had happened. Why he had to come and died. Why He had chosen them. They began to feel something welling up within them and then it happened. The day, so long prophesied, had come. The Holy Spirit empowered them, guiding them, strengthening them, encouraging them. The disciples of the Lord God, given the mission and privilege to win a lost and dying world at all costs.  Given the power to usher in the Kingdom of Christ.
 
Their hopes, expectations, dreams, all renewed, were carried to even greater heights than when Jesus was physically with them. They could feel him, sense him, knew he was working in their lives. The memory of the cross, that earlier had caused such pain and heartache, now brought wonderful, unspeakable joy.  The helpless fear had been replaced with divine courage.  Jesus was alive and working through them.
 
We are no different than the disciples; our hopes and dreams sometimes get trampled to the ground in this fast paced, chaotic, world in which we live. The storms of life, greatly strengthened by the Corvid-19 hysteria, loss of jobs, and fate of our families, sometimes causes fear grip our souls and unbelief shake at our spiritual foundation. So much so, that we want to call it quits, or at the least, retreat into our own silent helpless world.
 
During those times, our thoughts must be placed constantly upon the living Christ and His Word. Our strength must consistently come from His faithful promises, that he will never leave not forsake us. Our faith, must rest constantly in His resurrection, that as he arose to newness of life, we too, shall arise to unspeakable joy, as we look full in His wonderful face. Jesus is alive and working through us.
 
Because of the empty tomb, we have peace. Because of His resurrection, we can have peace during even the most troubling of times because we know He is in control of all that happens in our lives and in the world.

Remember the words of Jesus to Martha, John 11:25-27  "Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:" & whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believeth thou this? She saith unto him, Yea, Lord, I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God...
...can we believe any less.
 
Pastor Rudy