Jesus rose from the dead. Period! He is alive. We are “easter people” and live daily as proof that He is risen from the dead. He did walk out of the grave. He conquered death. Jesus not only came back to life, but He stayed on earth to be seen by many witness.
1 Corinthians 15:5-8, “He was seen by Peter and then by the Twelve. After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he was seen by James and later by all the apostles. Last of all, as though I had been born at the wrong time, I also saw him.”
After the resurrection, Jesus spent forty days on earth before He ascended back to His rightful place (1 Peter 3:22), and then there were ten more days after that before the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-47).
Jesus accomplished many things in this time between His resurrection and return to Heaven. One of the most important was actually a command to us. We refer to this important teaching as “The Great Commission.”
Matthew 28:18-20, “And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
As “Easter people” or should we say, “Resurrection people,” we must be witnesses to the truths of Jesus Christ. Every day is filled with “God-moments” that are uniquely tailored and designed just for us to engage, handle, and accomplish to show the love of Jesus and how real He is to us.
There are no accidents with God’s plans. People who cross our paths. Situations revealed to you to take care of and handle. Dilemmas and crisis for you to intervene. Questions to answer. Each day there are countless opportunities afforded to us by God the Father to intervene and prove His love and that He is real!
As followers of Jesus, we know that His death paid the penalty for our sin. He was, and is, the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. This is the greatest news the world can ever hear and embrace. We need to get that message out!!
As Christians, we
cannot keep this wonderful news to ourselves. Once we have witnessed this for
ourselves, we must live out this encounter of Jesus so others can witness it
too! We must tell the world about this hope and love found in Jesus Christ.
Easter is never over. The message never goes silent. Jesus is risen from the dead and we should live in perpetual joy. Yes, Easter may be recognized just annually in Church, but it is to be lived-out through us daily, constantly, and forever.
Allow these fifty-days of Easter to stir in your heart a new love for the sacrifice Jesus made for you. Let us live in remembrance of the victory Jesus had over sin and death. Let us live on the alert, ready, and prepared to present Christ to the world at all times, places and situations.
1 Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts
revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who
asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with
gentleness and respect….” Let us be joy-filled, witnesses of Jesus Christ.