BECAUSE HE LIVES 1 Kings 8-9 | Luke 21:1-19 “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live‚ even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.” —John 11:25-26 Most of the world’s religions are based on philosophical propositions. That is‚ if you want life to make sense and to work well for you‚ you need to know certain things and live in the good of those things. Four of the world’s major religions are personality based. Judaism regards Abraham as its father‚ and Abraham lived‚ died and was buried. Buddhism was founded in the 5th century B.C. by Siddhartha Gautama‚ known as the ‘Buddha’‚ who died at 80 years old in the State of Uttar Pradesh in India. Islam was founded on the teaching of Mohammed who died in 632 A.D. at the age of 61. His tomb is visited by hundreds of thousands of pilgrims in Medina‚ and there has never been a claim that Mohammed rose from the dead. There are two things in particular unique to the Christian message. The first is who Jesus Christ is. He was not merely a street preacher who got the ball rolling‚ nor did He just happen to be in the right place at the right time at the right moment with the right thing. Jesus Christ is the Son of God‚ co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit. Secondly‚ Christ is unique in what He did on earth. He died‚ was buried and raised to life again. There are no mourners at the tomb of Jesus. The very substance of Christian life requires a living Jesus. In John 15:5‚ Jesus tells us that apart from Him‚ we can do nothing. That’s why His teachings were centered on Himself. Other leaders have said‚ “I’ll show you the way.” Jesus said‚ “I am the way.” Others have said‚ “I will teach you the truth.” Jesus said‚ “I am the truth.” Still‚ others have said‚ “I will show you how to find life.” Jesus said‚ “I am the life.” The cross of Jesus is not a martyrdom of a good man misunderstood‚ but is the offering of Himself as a perfect sacrifice to address the justice of a holy God who says sin must die. The resurrection of Christ vindicates the fact that the Father accepted the sacrifice of Christ in our stead‚ and more than that‚ made Christ alive to impart new life‚ so that all who believe in Him may live in the power of His resurrected life. Christ’s invitation is‚ “Come to Me” and then “Abide in Me.” The fact that He is alive sets Christianity apart in its uniqueness from every other philosophy or religion that exists. Because He lives‚ we also will live. PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus‚ thank you for imparting new life to me‚ and for being in me the way‚ the truth and the life. TO REFLECT UPON: Am I living in the power of the resurrected life of Christ?
Posted on: Wed, 30 Apr 2014 13:32:41 +0000
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