June 8, 2020 - Why are Christians, those who profess Jesus Christ as Lord of all, different from the world?
It is simple really, because we who have accepted Jesus Christ as our Sovereign Lord and Savior worship not some golden image or wooden idol made by the hands of man, nor some long dead god or prophet of olden times.
No, we worship the one true living God of this universe, creator of all things and Savior of the world.
What makes us different is our unrelenting faith in our Redeemer who lives now in heaven as he prepares a place for all who love him. Our faith that his promise to return for us is good and true and that he will certainly do so in time.
One might say, "But you also say that this Jesus you worship died on a cross for the sin of all men!"
Yes, we do say that for it is true, Jesus gave himself, his own human life, that others might live. And all anyone has to do to gain that everlasting life is to believe in him as Lord of all and profess that belief to others around us.
So how then can one who gave his own life and died on the cross live now in heaven? For God raised him from the dead on the third day after his death on the cross of Calvary, the first fruits of resurrection, and he lives now forever, never to die again, just as will all who love him and follow him as their Lord.
On the third day after Jesus' death on the cross, early that morning just as day was breaking the women who had followed Jesus all the way from Galilee during his ministry came to the tomb to anoint his dead body with oils and fragrances.
"But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they (the women) went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus." (Luke 24:1-3)
One can only imagine the surprise and wonder that overcame them for they had been at the cross the entire time that the Lord had suffered and died and had followed his body to the tomb and watched it being wrapped in linen and laid on the stone of rest in the tomb. And now, three days later, he is gone!
"While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel.
And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, BUT HAS RISEN.
Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise."
And they remembered his words, and returning from the tomb they told all these things to the eleven and to all the rest." (Luke 24:4-9)
Many of the disciples did not, could not believe what the women were telling them, including Peter.
"But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home marveling at what had happened." (Luke 24:12)
Even for those who had spent years being taught by the Lord, living with him day and night; resurrection from the dead was almost too much to believe, but this would all change as Jesus appeared among them time after time during the next forty or so days.
It is so now for many in todays world, but the fact remains: "MY REDEEMER LIVES and one glorious day I will stand beside him in glory, forever with my Lord.
Praise and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ...
You too can stand with him one day in glory, all you must do is to accept him as Lord of all and profess him to the world around you. May you submit to him this day and forever in love for the Sovereign Lord...
