Sunday, April 20, 2014

By: Brandon Bilbo

 

He is ALIVE!

 

Matthew 28:6 He is not here; He has risen just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.

 

 

Can you imagine approaching the gravesite of a loved one only to find an empty tomb? Surely, confusion would set in. Most would probably assume the grave had been robbed. This is the scene that Jesus' loved ones witnessed on the third day after He was crucified.

 

Thankfully, an angel greeted them and spoke the words in today's verse explaining that Jesus IS alive!!!

 

Today's short verse is filled with four wonderful truths and reminders. Let's break it down...

 

1) He is not here: So often, we look for God in ALL the wrong places. Jesus is not in the grave!!! A grave is a place that houses death. There are things--places, people and activities--in life that we seek out to fill voids in our lives but instead result in emotional, spiritual and sometimes physical death. Instead, look for God in His Word, in fellowship with other believers, and in prayer with Him.

 

2) He has risen: One of the major separating factors between Christianity and every other faith is that Christians serve a God who is ALIVE. Matthew 22:32 reminds us that "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." The very FACT that He rose again enables every believer to experience freedom, joy and power.

 

3) Just as He said: God will ALWAYS do what He promised. Deuteronomy 7:9 says, "Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; He is the Faithful God, KEEPING His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments.

 

4) Come and see the place where He lay: I believe the angel asked Jesus' loved ones to see the place where He once laid as a reminder to all of us to observe and remember the great sacrifice the Lord made for us. It is because of this unconceivable and incomprehensible act of love that 1 Corinthians 15:57 declares, "But thank God! He gives us VICTORY over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ."

  

Jesus was able to completely defeat the devil and death by overcoming death Himself.

 

I challenge you today to LIVE for Him. Because He lives and has overcome death, we can face EACH day with confidence in His power and love. We can live lives free from fear and uncertainty.

 

Dear Lord, My desire is to LIVE for You each and everyday. Words cannot express my gratitude for what You did for me and all that You have planned for my future.

 

I thank You Jesus for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life. In the Name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

Reflection: Are you living a life worthy of the great sacrifice Jesus made for you?