Messages
Messages - Jesus is Alive
by Graham Jones - The Church at Gun HillThere are many in history who have founded the world's religions. Of them it can be said, "They are dead." But the New Testament records the words of Jesus: "I am He that lives and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore." (Revelation 1 v 18).
The Witnesses
In view of such fantastic claims, one might be forgiven for being sceptical; one might even be suspicious of those claiming ot be witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus. But the Bible shows that there were many witnesses. Mary Magdalene came to Jesus' tomb looking for her dead Master but, instead, found the risen Lord. (Mark 16 v 1). Two disciples walking dejectedly away from Jerusalem after the crucifixion found themselves being accompanied by the Lord Himself. (Luke 24). All of these had lost hope, were not expecting "the Jesus episode" to come to anything further, but, nevertheless, became eyewitnesses of the fact of the resurrection. 'Doubting' Thomas received objective proof that Jesus was indeed alive when the risen Lord Jesus invited him to feel His wounds. (John 20 from v 24).Yet of far greater importance is the record of Paul when he assured the Christians at Corinth that apart from these events, Jesus was seen, after His resurrection, by over 500 people on the same occasion. That was no hallucination. One person might be deceived by a trick of the light, but not five hundred people together. (I Corinthians 15 vv 5-7). Of more significance, however, is what Paul added. He told the Corinthians that most of these witnesses were still alive. In other words, he was saying, "If you want to check up, ask them yourselves." By comparison, a person could be convicted of a crime on much flimsier evidence; yet Jesus showed Himself alive after His passion by many infallible proofs. (Acts 1 v 3).
What is also striking is the fact that the first disciples of Jesus were prepared to risk their lives for what they knew to be the truth. Stephen was put to death by stoning, James and Paul by beheading, and Peter and Andrew, according to tradition, by crucifixion. Would they have done this for a lie? Of course not! They knew that Jesus was alive.
Continuing Evidence
The book of Acts in the New Testament is a record of what Jesus continued to do by His Holy Spirit through the Church. This represents further evidence that Jesus is alive, for the works He did during His earthly ministry, He now continues to do through believers. In John chapter 14 v 12, Jesus had said, "He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do..." This is indeed the record of Acts as we read of the sick being healed, the dead raised, the blind seeing and miracles being performed in the lives of needy people. Those lives, which were once impoverished by sin, without hope, without joy, lonely and burdened by countless problems, were transformed as believers shared their experience of the living Lord Jesus Christ who has conquered sin and death.The Unfinished Story
The book of Acts does not come to a final conclusion. Why? Because it is an unfinished story. Jesus is still alive and working by His Holy Spirit in and through His Church of believers. In our own days, Jesus Christ is the same. Christians today experience and know the transforming power of the Lord Jesus in their lives. His blood was spilled that we might know forgiveness for our sin. Because He is alive, and by His Holy Spirit, He has taken up residence in our lives and He has set us free from the power of sin. Where Jesus rules and reigns there can no longer be hate, or sad depression or unrest, BUT love, joy and peace. Yes, those who are weary of life still find rest, those bound by oppressing circumstances find a wonderful freedom, and the sick obtain healing. Jesus is truly alive. Today, the tomb is empty; Jesus Christ is alive.Where Jesus is, there is fulness of joy and life worth living. Have you, in simple faith, given your life over to Jesus to cleanse from sin and to make anew? Until you do, you cannot know life. May we invite you to come and share with us this marvellous truth?
