A friend
sends a picture in a platform, a couple of us. Are using in interchanging
information. The picture he post. Was nothing else. But the picture of a young
man. Who was at a gallows at Iraq. About to be hanged for refusing to give up
his faith in Jesus Christ.
The paradox
in the story was. This young man even at that gallows. Was feeling good. He was
behaving as he was told. He was for the first time at an airport. To board a
plane. To take him to Dubai for a honeymoon or Hawaii for a holiday.
As members
of that our platform start to comment. Something was established. That young
man understood what the scripture is saying in Rev. 20:4-15. Their shall be
resurrection. First resurrection and second resurrection. The first
resurrection for them. That shall continue to life. Those who shall life and
reign with Christ Jesus. While the second resurrection, shall be for them. That
shall dye again. Those who are going to suffer eternal with the devil in hell.
Which is the second death. Which is to say, that young man, understood the
topic before us. JESUS, THE RESURRECTION
& THE LIFE.
In Acts
chapter 23, we saw the Sadducee s and Pharisees fighting each other. Because of
resurrection. To the point of forgetting what they gathered together to do. The Sadducee s was arguing, there was nothing
like resurrection. Per adventure, there is someone in the same school of taught
with the Pharisees reading this piece. 1 kings 17:17-24 said. There was a young
man. The only son of a widow. Popularly known as the widow of the zarephat. Who
suddenly became sick. The sick grew sore. Just in a record time. And in no
time, he died. But when the widow and mother of the boy. Took the case to a
prophet. The prophet took the case God. And God revive him. That is resurrected
him.
When I talk
of resurrection. I talk of coming back to life. As in the coming back to life
of our lord Jesus Christ. That we
Christians celebrates every year. And
when I talk of life. I talk of the situation of being cheerful. The state of
still existing. The state of being alive. The state of not being dead.
In Mathew
chapter 28. The scripture says. The elders of the Jews. In the day, following
the crucifixion, the death, the burial
of our lord Jesus Christ. went and meet with Pilate. And said unto him.
That deceiver (our lord, they are mischievously
addressing like that). When he was alive. Was preaching saying, after he
where death. On the 3rd day. He shall resurrect (come back to live
again). And we know, it is impossible. What we perceive is . his followers
will come and still his corpse. And then, go about preaching. He have
resurrected. Therefore send centurions to make sure that his tomb.
Per
adventure, there is someone reading this. Who is in the same school of taught
with these Jewish leaders. Though
someone who just died, came back. But for someone, who have died and
buried for days. That is impossible. The scripture 1 cor. 15:1-11 have this to
say to you. It says, the resurrection of Jesus. After spending 3 days in grave.
Was not witnessed by one person. Twelve persons, but by over five hundred and
two persons. Even at AD 56, when the author of this scripture was penning down
this. He was careful to add. That even at that very AD 56, that much of the
witnesses of the resurrection of Jesus are still, very much alive.
Which is to
say. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is investigatable. You can go out there.
And interview the witnesses yourself.
And the
early church historians, have this to add. The apostle, start to preaching the
resurrection of Jesus. Within 50 days of His resurrection. By word of mouth. As
if that is not enough. Within 2 years of the event (the death and resurrection
of Jesus). They start to reach out to people. In written form.
Which is to
say. The Apostle start preaching the resurrection of Jesus. While those that
crucify Him (the Jewish leaders, the
centurions, the Roman soldiers etc) are very much alive. But no one of them.
Ever say to them. Stop deceiving people. The person you are saying, he have
resurrected. Isn’t this his tomb. Still very much intact. Or isn’t this His
corpse. Non of them. Ever took that possible. Because, He (Jesus actually
resurrected. Meaning resurrection even after burial is possible.
Since resurrection
is certain, what we ought to be doing. In psalm 49, the scripture was like.
Carrying out a comparative analysis. He said, a wealthy man will not be able to
redeem his bother/sister. Nor pay the precious ransom. Demanded of God, to
ransom himself. From the grave. But I know someone who can. The scripture says,
the man Jesus was able to present to God. That precious Holy blood. Demanded of
Him (God) for our ransom. Praise master Jesus.
Something
happened not long ago. Oprah Winfrey have a lady in her TV show. One thing led
to another during their conversation. And the lady said. Jesus is the only way
to heaven. Oprah said to the woman. No, Jesus is not the only way to heaven. But
one of the ways to heaven.
So another
TV show guru, by name Larry King. Decide to use the opening to magnate audience
to his own show. He invite a pastor to come in his show for an interview. And
did the other necessary, to get audience to tune in, unto his show. During the
interview on the appointed day. He asked the pastor. Pastor is Jesus, the only
way to heaven. The pastor replied and said. Larry only God knows.
Per
adventure, there’s a reader of this writing. Who like that pastor. Is not sure,
if Jesus is the only way to heaven or not. Or anyone, who like Oprah. Is of the
school of taught. Jesus is but only 1 of
the ways to heaven.
Here this,
John 11:17-27 says. When Jesus and Martha were having conversation. It was
moving very smoothly. But immediately Martha said to Jesus. I know that my brother,
Lazarus shall resurrect at the last day. Jesus was like hold it there. That was
only half of the truth. The whole/entire truth is. I (Jesus) am the Resurrection and the life.
Note, it didn’t say. We are the Resurrection and the life. Neither did it say.
I am part of the resurrection and life. It says, very plainly. I am the
resurrection and life. Whoever believe in me. Though he/she were death.
He/she shall live.
According to Long man dictionary of contemporary English. When we say, we believe in someone
or something. We are saying we trust in the person. We have confidence in that
thing. As in to be able to successfully do that. Which we want to use it for.
When I was
meditating on this writing. My lord say I should congratulate. Many who before
now. Have believe in Jesus. He say, I should tell you. Because you trust in
Jesus. You are in honor. He said, because you have confidence in Jesus. I
should tell you. In this life. You shall have peace. In the life to come. You
shall not experience hell. In the life to come, you shall make heaven. You
state shall be cheerful. You shall live and reign with Christ. You shall live
as kings and priest.
Par
adventure, there is someone reading this. Who have not believe in Jesus. I have
good news for you. The scripture says, today is a day of salvation. Today is
the day of grace and a year of jubilee. If you shall turn. And put your trust
in Jesus. You sins shall be forgiven.