4 WriteStuff

He is Risen!

The 2 most significant events in history…
Christmas – the celebration of the virgin birth of the Messiah, Jesus which is prophesied numerous times;
Easter – the celebration of Jesus conquering sin and death… Whether or not you are a Christian, these two events have rocked the world – and have changed your world.

Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled in Jesus birth, life, and death.
Statistically, that is impossible. (I will attach a link to a chart I found online that seems to be pretty accurate)

I love the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection on so many levels – personally, it mean that I can live a life of victory – Jesus has already paid for my sins… I am free because of what He accomplished on this day.

I can live a life of faith and courage, I do not need to be afraid of tomorrow – Jesus has already won the victory over my tomorrows. Do I still fear? Yes, I am human. But courage is not the absence of fear, it is doing what is right – exhibiting integrity in the face of that fear.

I recently wrote, “Sometimes checking the facts completely changes the picture…” To make an accurate judgment of what occurred, we often want to hear from witnesses.
As a woman, I love that the women were the first to find out He had risen… women were NOT considered reliable witnesses because of their position in society, yet God wove their account into Jesus’ victory. After that, Jesus appeared to HUNDREDS of people! That is a LOT of eyewitnesses!

Jesus appeared to His disciples… He reminded them of His promises… and empowered them to go into all the world to share this amazing victory – this amazing prophecy fulfilled – promise kept with the world! This hope has spread throughout the nations and is still alive over 2000 years later!

Jesus came to bring forgiveness, victory over sin, hope, joy, and oh so much more to all who choose to accept it. It is a free gift, yet rejected by so many.

Jesus came to the humble, to the lowly… When hikers arrived with their dust and sweat, I am reminded that Jesus came to the fishermen… add the smell of fish to a hiker and I have a good portrayal of what that was like.

The Roman soldiers at the tomb were to guard it – WITH THEIR LIFE! – to be sure no one stole Jesus body and claimed He rose… yet they claim to have fallen asleep and WERE NOT PUT TO DEATH… it is unfathomable that they were not punished – the Romans were known for their cruelty, never for their leniency.

So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.]
55 “O Death, where is your sting?
O Hades, where is your victory?” I Corinthians 15

DEEPER STIlL:
Luke 24, Mark 16, Matthew 28, John 20

He Is Risen
28 Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow. 4 And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

5 But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. 6 He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

8 So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

The Women Worship the Risen Lord
9 And as they went to tell His disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!” So they came and held Him by the feet and worshiped Him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brethren to go to Galilee, and there they will see Me.”

The Soldiers Are Bribed
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests all the things that had happened. 12 When they had assembled with the elders and consulted together, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, 13 saying, “Tell them, ‘His disciples came at night and stole Him away while we slept.’ 14 And if this comes to the governor’s ears, we will appease him and make you secure.” 15 So they took the money and did as they were instructed; and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.

The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had appointed for them. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some doubted.

18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen
Matthew 28 NKJV