Todays Good Word .............Risen from the Dead/Conspiracy Theories We have heard of many conspiracy theories in our lifetime. Here are a few you may remember: The death of Princess Diana – rumors that she was murdered by the Royal Family. The New World Order – the Illuminati and the Freemasons rumored to be planning to take over the world and run a one-world government. The moon landing – rumored to be a hoax and filmed in a studio. JFK assassination – how many shooters? And did Lee Harvey Oswald act alone or was he a patsy for the FBI or the KGB or the mob? Do you remember any conspiracy theories? I remember one that actually occurred in my life as a kid. I was ten going on eleven. I had bunked school with two kids both brothers twelve and fourteen and went to a lonely spot about three miles out of our little town. We were swimming in blind holes that were dug up for the red soil to make bricks which had filled up with rain water. Then it happened so quickly; the older brother ran into a deep hole and started screaming for help as he could not swim, his younger brother who was just a few yards away went to help and both started to go down. While I was making my way to them I heard a shrill scream. (mind you it was a very lonely spot and there was no one around) at least that is what we observed. However, this scream was from a dobhi woman who was washing clothes in a corner and was watching this scene play out. By the time I gave my attention to this hysterical woman and turned around the brothers were gone. I was in shock and could not believe what happened......I half ran and walked back home and just could not bring myself to tell anyone what happened. Anyway later on in the evening the dobhi woman came into town and narrated the whole incident to the folks who lived on the outskirts of the town and disappeared. Talk about the conspiracy theories that circulated in the days that followed. No one but me knew the actual story and the dobhi woman who went off the scene. Some said I pushed one brother in and other said something else and yet others told their children never to be be seen with me ever. I was also told that the police were looking for me. Years later on one of my brothers married the boys sister; till today he jokes with me saying I had to marry her to make amends for what you did. Any way so all is now good and you get the picture. Matthew 28:1-15 reads like this.....After the Sabbath, as the first light of the new week dawned, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to keep vigil at the tomb. Suddenly the earth reeled and rocked under their feet as God’s angel came down from heaven, came right up to where they were standing. He rolled back the stone and then sat on it. Shafts of lightning blazed from him. His garments shimmered snow-white. The guards at the tomb were scared to death. They were so frightened, they couldnt move. The angel spoke to the women: “There is nothing to fear here. I know you’re looking for Jesus, the One they nailed to the cross. He is not here. He was raised, just as he said. Come and look at the place where he was placed. “Now, get on your way quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He is risen from the dead. He is going on ahead of you to Galilee. You will see him there.’ That’s the message.” The women, deep in wonder and full of joy, lost no time in leaving the tomb. They ran to tell the disciples. Then Jesus met them, stopping them in their tracks. “Good morning!” he said. They fell to their knees, embraced his feet, and worshiped him. Jesus said, “You’re holding on to me for dear life! Don’t be frightened like that. Go tell my brothers that they are to go to Galilee, and that I’ll meet them there.”.....In the first ten verses of the chapter, we read the ‘true’ story. But after verse ten, the conspiracy to veil the truth unfolds....watch and read on.... Meanwhile, the guards had scattered, but a few of them went into the city and told the high priests everything that had happened. They called a meeting of the religious leaders and came up with a plan: They took a large sum of money and gave it to the soldiers, bribing them to say, “His disciples came in the night and stole the body while we were sleeping.” They assured them, “If the governor hears about your sleeping on duty, we will make sure you don’t get blamed.” The soldiers took the bribe and did as they were told. That story, cooked up in the Jewish High Council, is still going around. It is clear from the Gospels that many have already rejected Jesus and His message leading up to His crucifixion. But then there was a turn around when Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave. Read John 11. That was a turnaround for many of the Jews who were with Mary. They saw what Jesus did, and believed in him. But some went back to the Pharisees and told on Jesus. The high priests and Pharisees called a meeting of the Jewish ruling body. “What do we do now?” they asked. “This man keeps on doing things, creating God-signs. If we let him go on, pretty soon everyone will be believing in him and the Romans will come and remove what little power and privilege we still have.” Then one of them—it was Caiaphas, the designated Chief Priest that year—spoke up, “Don’t you know anything? Can’t you see that it’s to our advantage that one man dies for the people rather than the whole nation be destroyed?” He didnt say this of his own accord, but as Chief Priest that year he unwittingly prophesied that Jesus was about to die sacrificially for the nation, and not only for the nation but so that all God’s exile-scattered children might be gathered together into one people. From that day on, they plotted to kill him. Easter is a time of celebration for those who follow Jesus, but many of us also know people close to us - family, co-workers, friends - who have rejected the truth about Christ or who have had the truth concealed from them or believe a distorted truth. Prayer can change all that. Do you have a list of folks that you are praying for. If you dont then start one and keep praying for them. You will be amazed when you see the marvelous change that happens; some you may see quickly others you may have to pray for a very long time. But pray for your children and family. Blessings and have a great weekend and happy Easter. Christ has risen my friends and is coming again. Would you believe that today? -mark.d
Posted on: Fri, 18 Apr 2014 13:36:29 +0000
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