Ever wonder about death? What’s on the other side? Is there life after death?
Of course you have. Who hasn’t?
Ever wonder about good and evil, and just deserts, guilt and innocence, a Final Judgment?
Would you pass a Final Judgment with flying colors—or should I say, with the color of purity, all white and squeaky clean? That is, do you have a perfect record, spotless and without blemish?
Of course you don’t? Who does?
There’s only ONE person in human history that has ever claimed any right or authority to proclaim, teach, or give insight on such things, and that is Jesus—a raised from the dead Jesus, the only ONE with a perfect record—no fault, no guilt, no sin, no wrongdoing—perfect in every way.
Think about it. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, why did Christianity grow so fast and have such an impact, an impact not only upon the Roman Empire of its early days, but upon World Empires even down to our present day? Think of the impact of Christianity upon the former Soviet Union. Think of its impact upon present day China.
He is Risen!?
No, it is not good enough to say that the Apostles and Disciples stole his body and lied about his resurrection, or to say that Jesus literally did not die on the cross to begin with.
His followers bore witness. They died claiming that they had indeed seen, touched, spoke with and ate with a real, literally and physically resurrected Jesus.
There is really no better way to explain the power and impact of faith-in-Christ down through the ages, but for his resurrection: He is not dead, he is living. He is no mere historical memory; he is a living presence in the hearts of billions. His name has power. His truth changes minds. And His spirit transforms lives.
Of course, today there are many Churches and numerous Denominations and umpteen factions upon factions of Christian congregations, each practicing their own particular form of Christianity. Christians don’t all agree; not very surprising considering human nature. But there still remains this one unifying factor: the belief that Jesus is not dead—He is Risen! And, by virtue of his resurrection, He is proven to be both Lord and Savior of humanity. Christianity is that basic and that simple.
Okay, you may not like his followers.
For that matter, many fellow believers do not like each other.
True, you may not like the church.
Admittedly there are many strange and weird congregations calling themselves the church of Jesus.
Indeed, you may disdain the behavior, practices, and attitude of self-righteous Christians who think they’re God’s favored.
You may appreciate the fact that Jesus had plenty to say about self-righteous holier-than-thou types, and it wasn’t good.
The one thing you shouldn’t do is ignore Jesus Himself.
After all, Jesus Himself expects to be taken seriously. And, if you truly respect Him, you will.
However, if you do take Jesus seriously, I mean really and truly seriously: That Jesus meant what He said and taught; that Jesus did what He did, on purpose. And you then try to understand, from Jesus point of view, why He chose to die at the hands of the Roman government (when He supposedly had the power to avoid such a death). And then you consider His promise that He would rise from the dead and would return again.
Well, then what? What are the real implications of Jesus words and actions?
I dare you to confront Jesus on His own terms. I guarantee that you won’t be the same, once you do.
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