He is Risen

Christ is risen from the dead, trampled over death by death. Come awake come awake, come and rise up from the grave. He's alive, He's alive!!

In Matthew 17:22-23, Jesus tells His disciples, The Son of Man is to be handed over to men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised up on the third day."

I'm sure the disciples were baffled by Jesus' prediction. How can He be killed? Much less rise up on the third day. After all, death is final, no coming back from that. Why would men kill Jesus? How can He predict His death?

In Matthew 16:22, after Jesus predicts His upcoming passion, Peter replies to Him, "God forbid, Lord. No such thing shall ever happen to You." I'm sure this was the general consensus of the rest of the disciples,barring Judas.

His death on the Cross did happen, and with it brought us the promise of eternal life in Heaven with Him. Eternal life! Jesus told the thief on Cross, "Amen,I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." Luke 23:43

What a promise! To be with Jesus in Paradise! What a treasure it must be, more than we can even imagine. There is still the matter of Him rising up on the third day. Really? That sounds pretty far-fetched.

In Luke 24:2-3, Scripture says, "They found the stone rolled away from the tomb: but when they entered, they did not find His body." That would be quite puzzling. Where was His body? Was it stolen?

Moving along to verse 5 and 6, we read, ".....Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, He is risen, like He said."

How convincing was that? Okay, you had two men who appeared to be angels telling you Jesus was risen, but....that is awfully hard to believe. After all, you saw Him die on theCross just 3 days ago. Later that day, Jesus appeared to two disciples as they walked from Jerusalem to Emmaus. When He broke bread with them, they believed. He also appeared to them in Jerusalem.

What can you do then but believe? Jesus died on the Cross, but now He was alive,and standing before you. He's alive, He's alive! Jesus trampled death by death, come awake come awake, come and rise up from the grave. HE'S ALIVE!! Happy Easter!!

What an amazing gift we have been given. Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.

Chela