Jesus Christ Is Risen Indeed
Awhile back for Easter, I wrote “He is risen,” and you can read that article right here by clicking on that link.
But I just had to write another one for this Easter because it’s been on my mind lately how crazy this world has gotten and how insane people are over the last little details—especially how petty so-called Christians are about what they think you should believe.
I seen a video the other day where this preacher dude was trying to explain the technical explanation of Jesus rising again on the third day. He had a bunch of people arguing with him—some people were saying that the Bible is wrong because it said He’s going to be raised on the third day, and then He was raised on the second day. Others say that the Bible is perfect and has no errors in it, so we have to rethink what a day is and try to stretch it out according to the Jewish calendar and all other sorts of nonsense.
All these people that are arguing this, are so-called Christians—more than likely from different denominations, I’m sure—but that got me thinking: have you ever died and raised to life again in two days? Has anybody that you know done this? OK, how about one day? You were dead for a whole day and then you rose again to life? Do you know anybody that has done that? That’s what I thought!
Jesus said that He was going to die, all the way down to the last detail on how He was going to die. Nobody believed Him. He then said that He was going to raise to life again, and do you know what happened? (Matthew 16:21, Mark 8:31, Luke 9:22)
He literally was killed by the religious leaders of the day—in modern terms, it would be “church leaders”—and then a little while later, Jesus was alive and He came and met with His disciples and showed them His glory and the power of God that raised Him from the dead. The power He showed them was so great that it took these disciples that were trembling, weak, and scared—locked behind closed doors—to run out in the streets and praise the name of Jesus, going into synagogues in front of these Jewish leaders and telling them about Jesus with power! This power is Gods Holy Spirit, given to us for our benefit, and for us to be able to benefit others by sharing what Jesus has done for us with power. Just like the disciples did once they were Born-Again! (1 Corinthians 15:3–4, Matthew 12:40, Luke 24:6–7, John 20:19–29, Luke 24:36–49, Romans 8:11, Acts 2:24, Ephesians 1:19–20)
So if you believe Jesus rose again on the third day, or you think Jesus rose again on the first day, the fact of the matter is—He rose again and He sent His Holy Spirit to us just like He said, and now He is making a place for you and me!
When somebody is arguing over the details with fellow “Christians,” this does not tell me that you’re smarter than the other one, or maybe you’re the better “Christian”, or you are a better scholar, or maybe you read the Bible more.
All I get from this is—apparently, you do not love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and focus on Him instead of petty arguments. And it’s pretty clear that you don’t love your neighbor as yourself, because instead of building each other up and encouraging them in the Lord, you are arguing with them over petty stuff that does not get you in or out of heaven.
So first of all, shame on you, using the Lord’s name in vain, saying you’re a Christian but acting like the world.
But secondly, you’re so involved trying to figure out days and meaning of words and crap like that, that you missed the whole picture: that Jesus is alive!
He died, and now He rose again through the power of God raising Him from the dead so He could make a way for us to eternity forever. So where He is, we will be also. He wanted to give us an example to follow. He wanted to show us that He rose from the grave with the power of God, and we will all rise from our grave with the power of Jesus Christ, because He paid our death sentence for us. (John 6:40 1 Thessalonians 4:14, Romans 6:5)
It’s such a beautiful picture—the greatest gift imaginable, and 100% free. No matter what anybody says, it is a free gift from God. Even though Jesus had to pay the ultimate price for it, He freely gives it to us, and all we have to do is accept it. (Ephesians 2:8–9, Romans 6:23)
Do you still think it’s important to argue over petty, meaningless crap? If you do, well, you need some professional help, and that is out of my league!
But for now, on this Easter, stop and think what Easter is all about.
It’s not about the day of the week.
It’s not about which day of the month it is (which changes all the time).
It doesn’t matter what month it’s supposed to be.
It doesn’t matter that they made a pagan holiday out of it with the Easter Bunny and golden eggs.
It doesn’t matter what your “church“ says you’re supposed to do for Easter.
It doesn’t matter if you have a sunrise service, or an evening service, or an all-day singing celebration.
The only thing that matters is—in your heart, do you believe Jesus Christ is who He says He is?
And do you believe He did what He said and is now alive forevermore?
I’ll leave you with that.I hope you might’ve gotten some encouragement out of this. I hope you will now stop arguing over petty stuff that doesn’t mean anything. I hope now you truly take up your cross and follow Jesus, and have a personal relationship with Him, looking only to Jesus for your way to the Father and not some man that calls himself a leader.
If you want to read the “Easter story”, you can click here for the biblical account of Easter in story form.
Until next time—and from now on—may the good Lord bless you.
~ Joe Lester ~