Passion Week – The Messiah Lives!

As the hours passed that Sunday in Jerusalem, doubts and anguish continued.  Most of the Apostles hovered together in a locked room because they feared further repercussions from the Jews (John 20:19).  Then, as evening closed in, everything changed!

First, two of Jesus’ followers came to report an encounter with Jesus on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13 – 35).  While the disciples were still giving their two friends the “third-degree” about what they had seen and heard, suddenly, there was Jesus standing among them.  The door was still locked, but He was there!  His heart was beating, He was breathing, and then He said, “Peace be with you” (Luke 24:36b NIV84).  He showed them His hands and feet and ate a piece of broiled fish.  He is alive!

His miraculous appearance concluded with a reminder of what had been written in the Scriptures, “The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46, 47 NIV84).

Unfortunately, some still doubt the truth of the resurrection.  I am not one of them.  The greatest proof for me, aside from the Scripture and the work of the Holy Spirit, is the testimony of eleven men who were tortured and imprisoned, and except for John, martyred for their faith.  I doubt that you can find eleven men who can keep a secret for very long under any circumstances but knowing that the “secret” would cost them their lives reinforces the truth of their testimonies.  They lived and died teaching the certainty of Jesus’ resurrection.  It is true: The Messiah lives!

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.

Where, O death is your victory?

Where, O death is your sting?

…Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (I Corinthians 15:54b, 55, & 57 NIV84)

Read: Luke 24:13 – 47, John 20:19 – 31, and I Corinthians 15:50 – 58

Food for Thought:

• What does it mean to you personally that the Messiah is alive?
• Do you live your life in a way that reflects your belief in the truth of the resurrection?

For one fictional perspective on realizing that Jesus was alive, read Chapter 22 of The Shepherd’s Quest, by Elaine C. Duncan, available on Amazon.