Apr 5, 2015

Believing the Unbelievable

kensummers Uncategorized 0 Comments

We have had a good Easter Sunday in sunny Georgia. This morning we attended Restoration Church, where Nathan’s father, Don Munn serves as the Senior Pastor. It was good to see many folks that have become familiar with us over the years and have prayed for me during that past two years of my physical recovery. (Our family picture with Don and Linda Munn)

We have a family gathering later this evening at Nathan and Stephanie’s home and are looking forward to that time together. My somewhat normal schedule has been thrown off with our travel schedule and visit, but I’m glad that I am doing well and able to navigate a variety of terrains. I went with Nathan, Mason and Carter to practice baseball yesterday. I even tried to hit a few ground balls to the boys as Nathan caught throws at first base. Nathan was even willing to pitch to me, and allow me to see if I could stand up long enough to hit a ball. I did without falling down!

BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY…. “Don’t be alarmed,” he [the angel] said. “I know you are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is not here—he has been raised! Look, here is the place where he was placed….So they went out and ran from the tomb, distressed and terrified. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid. Mark 16:6,8

As glorious the news of Jesus’ resurrection was, it was still hard to comprehend. It was somewhere between, “it can’t be true” to “it’s too good to be true.” The Disciples didn’t take the word of the women, so Peter and John raced to the tomb to check it out for themselves. Then the rest of the Disciples really didn’t believe Peter and John until Jesus appeared to all of them. And then Thomas didn’t believe because he wasn’t with the rest when Jesus appeared to them. So, Jesus made a re-appearance to single out Thomas and prove He was risen indeed.

As Jesus to appear to His disciples and gave them proof that He was alive, we see Him making comments such as: “why are you so slow to believe…” (Luke 24:25)  “Jesus appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating. He scolded them, because they did not have faith and because they were too stubborn to believe those who had seen him alive.” (Mark 16:14) “Why are you alarmed? Why are these doubts coming up in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet, and see that it is I myself. (Luke 24:38,39) “Peace be with you.” Then he [Jesus] said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands; then reach out your hand and put it in my side. Stop your doubting, and believe!” (John 20:27)

Once again, although Jesus had told the Disciples about His death and resurrection during His final days with them; when it happened this is something they could not comprehend. Even though they had seen Jesus raise people from the dead, who could raise Jesus from the dead? Who is powerful enough to raise themselves from the dead? The answer is found in the consistent message of Paul the Apostle, “God has raise Him [Jesus] from the dead.” (Acts 10:40; Acts 13:30; Romans 10:9)

Jesus raised people from the dead, but they eventually did die. We see that some were taken to heaven without dying. The Bible says that, “Enoch walked with God and was not for God took Him.” (Genesis 5:24) We read of the Prophet Elijah being taken to heaven in a whirlwind. (2 Kings 2:11) But we see Jesus resurrected from the dead and then ascending to heaven in a cloud as the multitude watched.

Such is the glory and miracle of Jesus life, death and resurrection. But the resurrection was critical event needed to secure our salvation and give us victory over death. “who [Jesus] through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 1:4)

The women came to the empty tomb and believed. Jesus appeared to His disciples, showed Himself to them and they believed. He offered proofs of His resurrection for forty days, and many believed. However, Jesus asserted, “…blessed are those who believe but have not seen.” (John 20:29) For the Disciples seeing was believing, for us believing is receiving all the provisions that Christ lived, died and rose from the dead to provide.

If Christ had not risen, He would be just a great teacher and miracle worker, like prophets of old. His death would have just been a martyrs death, another unjust act by an unjust world. But His resurrection changes everything. And believing in Him changes everything for us. And it makes for us the unbelievable (our own victory over death)..something to believe!

Rejoice….He is risen! He is risen indeed!