PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Matthew 27:62-66
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“His disciples may steal the body and say he has been raised from the dead.” (Matthew 27:64)
How do you fake someone coming back to life, especially when they died publicly?
Even if they did make it all up, would they be willing to die for that lie?
I think of Chuck Colson said (worked with Nixon during Watergate, and sent to jail).
He knew from experience how fast fellow ‘liars’ buckle to save themselves.
All of the disciples faced persecution, violence and death for their claims.
Pressure can make someone recant the truth, but would they die for a lie?????
The disciples met the risen Jesus, and it changed their lives!!!!
‘You ask me how I know he lives… He lives within my heart!’
I have also met and experienced the risen Jesus, and he has changed my life.
People may laugh, and accuse me of perpetuating an illusion or hoax.
But maybe, as in the movie “The Matrix”, they are living in the illusion or hoax.
Believing the resurrection is like taking the ‘red pill’, it will open your eyes.
It will not make life easier, and many will turn against you for it.
But the hope of Jesus alive is better than the hopelessness of Jesus dead.
PRAYER
Lord, continue to make your living presence real to me, especially in times when the illusion of despair tries to suck the life out of my hope.
They were listening: “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ So they post a guard. No deception possible. But a Roman guard and seal are nothing compared to a God that can shake the ground and send a blazing angel to frighten them away. The grave could not hold back my Saviour – nothing can! He conquered the grave – death no longer has the last word! Hallelujah what a Saviour!
The effect of Jesus’ words – even the religious people remembered them. They wanted to be in charge and make sure that they were right. They remembered His words and did not believe them and wanted to make sure that His word was not true through the efforts of His followers. He had brought others back to life. His death brought many out of the grave. Yet, they wanted to be right. in charge sapping the hope out of His followers. Yet I know, we know that God is in charge and He will bring His way to Light. He did rise on the third day and my hope is in His word, His saving grace. I serve a risen Saviour.
serve a risen Savior
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, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.