THE Resurrection & THE Cause!

Chapter 28:
Last chapter ended with “Good Friday” and today’s picks up with “Easter Sunday”! I’ve heard it said this way about this historic event, “It’s Friday, but Sunday’s comin’!” The resurrection of Jesus is HUGE. Our faith rests on it. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 that if the resurrection is not true, basically we’re all idiots! I agree. But it IS true – and that makes every difference!
Apparently, God likes announcing big things with earthquakes! So it is with the resurrection. An angel of the Lord met them - the guards passed out and the women freaked out! “He has risen” – these three words are the basis for our faith. “Just as He said” – God keeps His promises! Then the angel gives them what Christian living is all about: “Come and see….then go and tell…” This is what Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known is all about!
Then as always, anti-Jesus people will sir things up. So they decide to make up a story (lie), “You are to say, 'His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.'” Let’s call this the lie that PROVES the resurrection! First, if all of them were asleep at the same time, how could they say who stole the body. Second, why would they risk their lives for a bribe? The story was self-contradictory! This was no “quick flash, was that really Jesus”, kind of deal. Paul say he was seen by over 500 peeps at the same time and was here for 40 days! It was real - He was alive!
Finally, Jesus gives what has been renamed “THE Cause.” (formerly the great commission) There are a lot of great causes in our world: world hunger, anti-child trafficking, breast cancer, etc… But THE Cause above all causes is THE Cause of Christ to make disciples who make disciples! To Know Jesus and Make Him Known! And this is what Jesus calls us to do with our lives!
SO WHAT?!
*What do you rest your faith on? Your good works? The money your give? Volunteering? What your parents believe? The Bible is clear. Faith alone in Christ alone and what HE accomplished is the only faith that saves! Got Faith?
*What are you doing with your life? Jesus gave us the task of making disciples and one day He’s coming back to see how we did! If I ask my son or daughter to do something while I’m gone and I come back and it’s not done, I’m not happy. Doesn’t matter if they tell me all the other things they may have done, they didn’t do what I asked! Going to church, having Bible studies, praying, etc… are all good things but if we never involve ourselves in THE Cause of making disciples, then we fail at what God has called us to be & do! So, how are you involved in Knowing Jesus and Making Him Known? Ask your pastor or spiritual mentor how you can be!