He's Not Here; He Has Risen!

Chuckle: "To be sure of hitting the target, shoot first and call whatever you hit the target."

Good Quote: "Trust the past to God's mercy, the present to God's love and the future to God's providence." --St. Augustine

"The crowds that went ahead of him (into Jerusalem) and those that followed shouted, 'Hosanna to the Son of David! Bless is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!' When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, 'Who is this?' The crowds answered, 'This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee'" (Matthew 21:9-11 NIV).

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, we marked the anniversary of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the beginning of the final five days prior to His crucifixion. He had his last Passover supper with the disciples on Thursday evening prior to being betrayed by Judas Iscariot, arrested and tortured, given a mock trial, and finally crucified on Friday, which we call "Good Friday." Then He victoriously arose from the dead on that first Easter morning. Christianity is the faith with a resurrected and living founder, Jesus Christ. No other religion can make this claim.

Christianity is not just good a set of rules or a philosophy for living; it is the wonderful news from a Jerusalem tomb for sinners everywhere. Christ's resurrection not only makes eternal salvation possible, but certain and irrevocable. ". . . He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, because he always lives to intercede for them" (Hebrews 7:25 NIV). These inspired words affirm both the ability and determination of the living Christ to fully save those who come to the Father through him. This is based on His complete victory over sin, death, and the grave. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6).

Dr. R. G. Lee (former pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis) preached a message entitled, "The World's Blackest Assumption," -- That Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul points out that if Jesus did not rise from the dead, we are all lost without hope, are living a lie, and are among all people most miserable. Thank God that this black assumption is totally false and the empty tomb declared this reality to His disciples, the Jewish religious leaders, and the Roman authorities. His disciples became passionate evangelists of the good news that the penalty for sin had been paid, death had been conquered, and Jesus Christ is alive.

Jesus appeared to his disciples at least ten different times following His resurrection. The truth of His resurrection gives a message of hope to a world facing despair. Like the blaring notes of a thousand trumpets, the apostles went out proclaiming that Jesus Christ is alive. HE'S ALIVE! HE'S ALIVE! Hallelujah, HE'S ALIVE! There are several truths about His miraculous resurrection which we will consider during this "Passion Week."

Love, Jerry & Dotse