Show Me Jesus

“And there were certain Greeks among them that came up to worship at the feast: The same came therefore to Phillip, who was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, ‘Sir, we would see Jesus.’ Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus. (John 12:20-22)

If someone were looking to see Jesus today he ought to be able to see Him the lives, morals and worship Christians practice. The world is anxious to know if our profession matches our possession.

I was preaching in a revival. On the pulpit were the words, “Sir, we would see Jesus”
As a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ my assignment and calling is to preach Jesus. Only through Jesus can people have their sins forgiven and their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. These Greeks requested of Philip to show them Jesus. Philip enlisted the help of Andrew. That’s a good thing to do. Jesus sent out His disciples by two’s. There is strength and encouragement in numbers.

Today, someone will be watching your life, or they will be listening to your words. Let them see Jesus in you.

Our Priority, Obedience to God

“Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, ‘We ought to obey God rather than men.’”(Acts 5:29)

The authorities had commanded the apostles not to speak in the name of Jesus, but the apostles took their orders from a much higher power. We must obey God rather than men, they said. The Bible tells us, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God.” (Romans 13:1) There was a conflict. What are you to do when government commands you in some law that is in violation of the law of God?

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were commanded to bow before the idol Nebuchadnezzar had set up. They refused to bow and were cast into a furnace of fire. They were right to keep the law of God and suffer the consequences of disobedience to man. They were subject to the higher powers. Likewise, Daniel was commanded by the laws of man to bow and pray before Darius the king only, otherwise he would be cast into a den of lions. Daniel was willing to suffer the consequences of disobedience to the laws of man while keeping the law of God. In both instances the servants of God remained true to God and willing to suffer the consequences of disobeying man’s law.

In Hebrews eleven there are many references of martyrs who obeyed God but disobeyed laws that were in violation of the laws of God.                                                         

Urgency

“I must work the works of Him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”(John 9:4) 

All Jesus had were thirty-three years. Only three and one-half of those would He be able do the work that God had sent Him to do. He had made a similar statement about being about His Father’s business when He went to the temple with His mother and Joseph when He was twelve years old. “…Wist ye not, or do you not know, that I must be about my Father’s business.” (Luke 2:49)

There is an urgency in the word, “must.” When Nicodemus, the ruler of the Jews came to Jesus one night to discuss the way of salvation Jesus said, “Marvel not that I said unto thee, ye must be born again.” (John 3:7) I must work while it is day. It sounds rather agricultural. Said one farmer to another, “I have hay on the ground and I must get it up before dark. I can’t leave it out because it might rain on it.” Jesus said He must work in the daylight hours.

The end of the daylight hours for our opportunities is fast approaching. Be saved while you have the opportunity. Serve the Lord before darkness comes. My brother had a sign that read, “Only one life, twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” Don’t let the daylight of opportunities blind you to the urgency of God’s call.

I Was Blind, Now I See

“He answered and said, “whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.” (John 9:25)

A young man had been born blind. He knew nothing of his mother’s face, had never seen a sunrise or a sunset. He knew the sound of thunder but had not seen the lightening that caused the thunder. How he longed to see. Was it his sins or his parents’ sins that caused him to be born blind? Jesus said it was neither but that the works of God might be manifest in him.

Jesus healed him and now they take him to the Pharisees. An argument ensued as to who Jesus was and how He could heal the boy and why do it on the Sabbath day. When they brought their charges to the young man he spoke the words of our text.

Many of us were saved at a very early age. We knew nothing of theology. We had not done a deep study on the person of Christ. We knew we were sinners and we knew that Jesus saves. So we trusted Him and He saved us. He did not say come back when you know more, when you can answer all the theological questions that are out there.

That is His appeal to every man, woman, boy or girl. Come to Him just as you are, with all your sins and all your ignorance. Whosoever will may come.

An Upper Room or a Supper Room

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.” 
(Acts 1:13-14) 

Judas Iscariot was noticeably absent, the traitor who betrayed Jesus and took his own life. Noticeably present were the three half brothers of Jesus. James, who wrote the epistle bearing his name, was there. There was Joses. Then there was another half brother of Jesus who was there. Judas, Jude he is called. We have his epistle today. None of those three believed in Jesus during his earthly ministry. But now, there has been a Calvary and an empty tomb. The half brothers now believed. Calvary and the resurrection will make a difference in anyone who will believe.

Someone said, “Our present day Christianity has traded the upper room for a supper room which answers the question of why we are so powerless today.” Jesus had told His disciples to tarry in Jerusalem until they would experience the power of the Holy Spirit upon them. The Holy Spirit has come and has taken up His residence in you when you were saved. You need no other experience.

Witnesses

“And He said unto them. ‘It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power. But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost hath come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’” (Acts 1:7, 8)

It was at the end of forty days following His crucifixion and just ten days before Pentecost that Jesus spoke these words of commission to His disciples. They were concerned with “signs” that Jesus would restore the kingdom. Instead of a sign He gave them their assignment.

He gave them the authority to carry out the witness. The word “power” at the end of verse seven, means “authority.” He was giving them the authority to be His witnesses. Then in verse eight the word “power,” means, “to enable, or give ability or might.” He has given his disciples the authority and the ability to be His witnesses. Our ability came when we were saved and the Holy Spirit came to reside in us. We do not have to wait for some “tarrying” service to be empowered to be His witnesses.

He has also given us our field of service: Jerusalem, Judaea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth. Our assignment is world-wide, beginning at home. All that is lacking is our readiness to say, “Lord, here am I. Send me.”

Enough

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

A pastor was in his study at church late one Friday afternoon, putting the finishing touches on his sermon for Sunday. The custodian not only cleaned the building but also was responsible for manually changing the big sign out front. He always posted the pastor’s Sunday sermon on Friday.

The custodian asked the busy pastor, “What is the title of your sermon for this Sunday?”  Without looking up the pastor said, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” After a brief pause the custodian asked, “Is that all?” Again without looking up, the pastor said, “That’s enough.”

When the pastor drove into the church driveway Sunday he was surprised to see posted on the big sign out front the title of his sermon, “The Lord is My Shepherd and That’s Enough.”

The pastor thought in his heart, “The custodian said more with his mistake than I could have said in the rest of the sermon.”

I Know Whom I have believed

“For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.” (II Timothy 1:12)

This is Paul’s last letter. It was written to Timothy from jail just before his martyrdom. He reminds Timothy in verse eleven that God had appointed him to be a preacher, an apostle and a teacher of the Gentiles. That three pronged appointment had gotten him hot water many times. But, he says, I am not ashamed.

He had placed his faith in Jesus. He knew Jesus, on a personal level. He had committed his soul to the Lord for his safe keeping and he was persuaded that the Lord could and would keep him both now and as he went through death’s door. That commitment is somewhat like a deposit one makes at a bank. The bank keeps it in safe keeping until we need it.

Have you committed your soul to the Lord Jesus for safe keeping for now and eternity? You need to take care of that today.

Safe

“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. I and my Father are one.”(John 10:27-30)

If I could use just one word as a commentary on these verses it would be the word, “Safe.” Pride tells someone that he is not bad enough to need a Savior. But just in case he needs to be saved, he can do enough good deeds and good works to earn his way into heaven. And, should he be convinced that only Jesus can save, he is plenty capable of maintaining his own salvation. Pride keeps people away from the Savior.

The Good Shepherd’s sheep follow Him and He knows them. Eternal life is a gift, not something one earns. It is eternal. If one could have it today and lose it tomorrow, have it again the next day and lose it the day following, it would not be “eternal.” It would be spasmodic.

“Never perish” means just what it says. We are held in the merciful hand of Jesus. The Father holds us in His hand and no one is able to pluck us out of the Father’s hand.

It is not a matter of trying harder. It is all by His marvelous grace.

The Lord is My Shepherd

“I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep…I am the Good Shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.” (John 10:11, 14)

As you read these two verses and the other verses in John 10 that describe the Good Shepherd, take a few moments and read the beloved Twenty-Third Psalm. The Lord is my Shepherd. Is He your Shepherd?

He gave His life for me at Calvary. If I had been the only person who ever lived on earth, He would have died for me. If you had been the only one He would have died for you.

He knows His sheep. He calls them by name. He knows our needs, our tears, our pain and our anxieties. The Lord, our Shepherd, cares for us.

The Door to Eternal Life

“I am the door: by me if any man enters in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” (John 10:9)

Jesus is the door into the sheep-fold. In times past the shepherd would lie down across the opening into the sheep-fold and would literally become the door, keeping the predators out and the sheep in. He was the door.

Jesus is the door. I remember a song we sang in elementary school (before it was against the law to read the Bible, pray or sing Christian songs at school), usually before first period. It went something like this: “One door and only one, and yet its sides are two; I’m on the inside, on which side are you?”

I entered the fold at an early age. I can’t say I have always been a good Christian. On the contrary, too often I have been a black sheep. But the Good Shepherd has never stopped loving and caring for this sometime wayward sheep.

How well do you know the Shepherd’s Voice?

“And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.” (John 10:5)

John the beloved apostle and close friend of Jesus, was inspired of God to write, “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”(I John 4:1) In the Christian life we must exercise discernment.

The more time we spend with the Good Shepherd the more we easily recognize His voice and are more discerning to flee from an impostor. We have heard that the anti-Christ is coming. The Bible says the spirit of anti-Christ was already in the world way back in the first century. We must flee from him who is trying to be your false shepherd, dressed up like the Good Shepherd.

Spend time with the Good Shepherd and learn more about Him by reading your Bible every day and by talking to Him in prayer.

Led by the Shepherd or Driven by the Butcher

“And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.” (John 10:4)

A group was in the Holy Land and was hanging on the every word of their guide. When they saw a flock of sheep being driven by someone, they asked the guide, “Why is this man walking behind the sheep? We thought the shepherd always led the sheep.” The guide responded, “It is true that the shepherd always leads the sheep. But this man driving the sheep is not the shepherd. He is the butcher driving the sheep to the slaughter house.”

Our enemy, the devil, always drives us into places and down paths that are meant for our destruction. The Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ leads us down paths and into places for our good. Are you being driven by the devil or led by the Good Shepherd?

The Good Shepherd Knows Your Name

“…And He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.” (John 10:3)

He who knows the number of hairs on your head most certainly knows your name. When Mary was at the tomb of Jesus following His resurrection, she thought she was seeing the gardener standing nearby. Then Jesus called her name, “Mary,” and immediately she recognized Jesus. No one knows your name nor speaks your name like Jesus.

Five or six small flocks of sheep with their shepherds were gathered around a pool of water to drink. When they had finished drinking each of the five or six shepherds started walking away and seemed to be singing a song. Each sheep gathered behind his shepherd. What sounded like a song to the spectators was actually the shepherd calling the names of his sheep.

The Good Shepherd’s sheep know His voice and follow Him. The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd. We believers follow Him to green pastures, by still waters and in paths of righteousness.

Pass it On from Generation to Generation

"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, the times of old.” (Psalm 144:1)

Israel of old was instructed to teach the young people what God had done, how they were slaves in Egypt and how God had brought them out. They were to teach the young people and children the things of God when they were at home, when they were in bed, when they arose in the morning, when they were at the table eating and when they were walking on a journey. (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 20)

The psalmist acknowledged that he had been taught by the old folks what God did in the past. It was to be passed on from generation to generation.

Today, we have given our children cell phones, iPads and electronic games but are failing to pass on the mighty things of God. We adults are not telling them the old, old story.

We must get back to the profound basics of what they need to know of who God is and what it means to be a Christian. If we fail to do that I fear that a generation from now Christianity will be a faded memory of the past and our Bibles relics in a museum.

Why Are You Depressed?

“Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise Him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. (Psalm 43:5)

Depression is real. We spend fortunes on it for diagnosis and treatment every year. It seems to be part of the human nature to be depressed. If what we are depressed about isn’t something real we make it real.

The Psalmist knew that he must turn his depression and worry over to God. If we do not turn it over to God it will take over our lives as cancer. Talk with God. Tell Him what it that is troubling you. It could be a wayward child, or “too much month left at the end of the money,” we can’t pay our bills, and a car that needs repairs and there is no money to fix it. It may be a love that has grown cold.

Tell it to Jesus. He is our hope. Praise Him for who He is and for what He can do when we turn things over to Him and believe that He can do what He promised.

Weeping in the Night, Rejoicing in the Morning

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

Peter Marshal, who was chaplain of the U.S. Senate several years ago, had a heart attack in his home one night. He and his wife, Katherine, talked to each other and prayed while the ambulance was coming. As the paramedics were carrying him out to the ambulance, Peter said to his wife, “I’ll see you in the morning.” He died that night. As she wept over what had happened those words kept coming back to her: “I’ll see you in the morning.”

We that know the Lord knows this statement to be true. With things that have come upon us in the day, we try to sleep. We try to pray and then the dawn breaks and all is well. Or, a loved one dies and through our tears, we repeat that statement of hope, “I’ll see you in the morning.” Heaven is a wonderful place. There are not tears, no sorrow, no pain or sickness. Heaven is a totally new place for us. What makes the difference? The Lord makes the difference.

Lean on Him in your darkest hour, talking to Him, sharing your heart. Yes, weeping may endure for the night but if you know Him, joy comes in the morning.

What is a Christian?

“And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” (Acts 11:26)

The word Christian is found only three times in the New Testament and is not found at all in the Old Testament. There were disciples, followers of Christ, long before the name Christian was used. It was apparently a name given to them by others as they observed their Christ-like lives. Some say it was given in derision by the enemies of Christ.

Today, almost everyone wants to be called “Christian” whether or not their lives are Christ like. It is an honorable title that should be worn as such.

In the army of Alexander the Great a young soldier was caught stealing. He was brought before Alexander. The Great leader asked, “What is your name, soldier?” Answering proudly, the young man said, “Alexander, sir.” Alexander the Great said, “You change your ways or change your name.”

Stand Still

“…but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the word of God.” (I Samuel 9:27)

Samuel the Prophet had just finished telling Saul, the son of Kish, that he was going to be king over Israel. Just before Samuel anointed Saul with oil Samuel had Saul to send his servant away. Then next came our text.

We get awfully busy in our lives today, running here and there. We go and go and go. I have thought that I might meet myself coming back from going. It seems we find the time to do everything except hearing what God is saying to us in His word.

We must get back to the simple, “thus saith the Lord,” believe it and practice it. An old song says, “Take time to be holy, speak oft with the Lord; spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone…”

Disciples at a Distance

“From that time many of His disciples went back, and walked no more with Him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve,‘Will ye also go away?’ Then Simon Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.’” (John 6:66-69)

Jesus had fed the multitude with five barley loaves and two small fish. A day later they came looking for Jesus. When they found Him He said to them, ‘Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give you.’ When the bread was gone, they were gone.

I knew a man who could argue the Bible and would always favor Jesus in his argument. He could answer all the questions about Jesus. He knew all the falsehoods of the cults and could use the Bible to defend his position concerning Jesus. We would have called him a disciple of Jesus, but he was not. He is a picture of those in our text who were called disciples but were not. This man, of whom I spoke, followed Christ but did not commit his soul and life to Him. He was part of the multitude but was not a true disciple; He was not a true follower of Jesus. He was not a saved man.

On the other hand, Peter was a true disciple with a commitment of his life and soul to Jesus for his safe keeping and for service. Peter acknowledged that when one is a true disciple of Jesus he not only talks the talk, he walks the walk.

Here am I; Send Me

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me.’”(Isaiah 6:8)

Uzziah, the tenth king of Judah, had seen God in all His glory in a vision. He had seen seraphims and recognized himself as a sinner who needed cleansing. One of the seraphims then took a live coal of fire from the altar and laid it on Isaiah’s mouth and declared him to be clean.

It was at this point that Isaiah heard the voice of God asking, “Whom shall I send and who will for us?”

It is a wonderful thing to become a Christian and know your sins are forgiven. Next to that wonder is to be called of God into His service. I have heard the testimonies of many such men, called of God, feeling unworthy for such a responsibility and privilege. It is no light thing to carry a message of hope to a hopeless world. It is not “fun and games,” or a picnic in the park where there are no problems and heartaches. People are facing eternity with a choice of either heaven or hell as their destiny. We are not salesmen trying to sell a product. We have a message from God to them. We must be faithful in the task.

Walking in the same Direction

“Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3)

The above is a good follow-up question to the life of Enoch who walked with God and was not for God took him. The Bible says that “Before his translation he had this testimony that he pleased God.” (Hebrews 11:5) Enoch had altered his course to walk with God.

Amos wrote primarily to Israel in the northern kingdom but he was also addressing the Jews in the southern kingdom. Both groups wanted the benefits of a people walking with God, but neither kingdom was willing to alter his walk.

God was saying, “I will not alter my steps to walk with you. You must alter your steps to walk with me.” That admonition is not any more pleasant and acceptable now than it was then. One must remember the destiny at the end of the path he is on. Only walking with God will take you on the right path.

And He Died

“And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.” (Genesis 5:5)

The phrase, “And he died,” is found in Genesis 5:1-32 eight times. These words could be written as an addendum on each person who has walked on earth. The one in this passage who is the only exception is Enoch. The Bible says that Enoch “walked with God: and was not; for God took him.” One other man besides Enoch never died. His name was Elijah. Even the Son of God, Jesus, died.

When our Lord returns to call from the graves the Christians for resurrection there will be Christians who are walking the earth and they will be taken up without experiencing death, just like Enoch.

The question is: are you walking with God? Have you taken your first step of faith with Him?  If so, then neither death nor the rapture of the church holds any fear on you. Walking with God is a thrill and joy beyond measure. Walk with God today and be a blessing.

The Rest of the Story

“Howbeit I believed not the words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the half was not told me…” (I Kings 10:7)

Since I was in the first grade of elementary school I had seen pictures of the giant Red Wood trees in California. Finally, about twenty-five years ago I was preaching in California. My host pastor took my wife and me to the Muir Woods. There they were; those huge Red Wood trees, about which I had read and seen in pictures. The half had not been told me.

I have attempted to comfort people in funerals by bringing a Biblical message about heaven. My limited vocabulary is inadequate to describe it. I can imagine many of those family members who followed their loved ones later, saying when their eyes open in heaven: “the half was not told me.” Or, when you and I see Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior, for the first time exclaiming, “What I heard and believed was true and the Bible gives many wonderful descriptions of the precious Lamb of God, but the half was not told me.”

What is Your Thorn in the Flesh?

“...there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord three times, that it might depart from me.” (II Corinthians 12: 7-8)

We are usually quick to tell people about our ailments, our visits to the doctor and the kinds of medicines we are taking. But Paul never told us what his ailment, his thorn in the flesh, was. He called it “this thing.” Some have speculated that it was his eyesight or malaria or some kind of lung problem. Since we do not know what it was we can all identify with it.

Notice that his thorn in the flesh was “the messenger of Satan.” It was not sent by the hand of God, although God did permit it. Notice also God’s answer to Paul’s prayer concerning this thorn: “My grace is sufficient for you; for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” (II Corinthians 12:9) Paul’s response to God’s answer was what ours should be. “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (II Corinthians 12:9) Finally notice in verse 10 Paul says, “...for when I am weak, then am I strong.” 

I have heard people say, “I did not know how to pray until God allowed me to be flat of my back in a hospital bed. The only way I could look was up. My weakest time was my strongest time.” 

No Two Ways about It

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

Just a discarded stone that was cast aside was this man Jesus. He came to his own and His own did not receive Him. He was crucified and died, but God raised Him from the dead. He is the one and only way of salvation.

The only way is not one of the founders of some world religion. Nor is it some present day philosophy or something you and I concocted.  We do not receive salvation as one might receive food from a buffet line, a little of this and a little of that.

The Bible says that if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and Him only, He will save you. You need no other.

More Words of Comfort

“Wherefore comfort one another with these words.” (I Thessalonians 4:18)

Every chapter in I Thessalonians says something about the second coming of Jesus. Without giving you a detailed commentary on chapter four our text says that we are to comfort one another with these words.

This epistle is written to a church. We are to believe it was written for the benefit of saved people. While some people are frightened at the prospect of the second coming, this passage, beginning at verse thirteen, is to bring comfort to saved people who are grieving over the death of a Christian loved.

There will always be people who need comforting words from God’s word. Always be prepared to give a word of comfort.

This Same Jesus

“…Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:11)

We can no more deny the fact of the second coming of Jesus than we can deny His first coming. Jesus said, “I will come again.” (John 14:3) Paul the apostle wrote, “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout…” (I Thessalonians 4:16:16)

It is not to be confused with the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, nor is it to be misunderstood as death nor is it the same as being saved. Over three hundred times in the New Testament our Lord’s return is mentioned. Someone has said there are more prophecies in the Old Testament concerning His second coming than there are of His first coming.

The fact is, Jesus Himself shall return. It behooves the lost person to repent, believe on the Lord Jesus, and be saved just as it behooves the saved person to be serving Him faithfully until He returns unexpectedly. "You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (Luke 12:40 ESV)

Reactions to the Resurrection

“And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, ‘we will hear thee again of this matter’…Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed…” (Acts 17:32, 34)

Paul’s ministry had taken had taken him to Athens. He commented on how religious they were, with idols everywhere. With so many false gods they feared they had left out one. So they erected an altar with the inscription, “TO THE UNKNOWN GOD.” When Paul spoke to them of the one true God his message included the resurrection. The Athenians reacted to the resurrection in three ways.

First, some of them mocked. That was the reaction of the religious Sadducees in Jerusalem during the ministry of Jesus. Mocking is one of the reactions to the resurrection today. Mocking, making light of it and some people looking down their noses at anyone who believes.

Second, others postponed and said, “Let’s talk about this later.” Hell is the eternal home of those unless they repent and believe.

Third, a few believed Paul’s message of the resurrection and clave unto him.

Each one of us is in one of those groups. Which group you are in when death comes will determine your eternal destiny.

Resurrection Morning Did Not End It

“Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Romans 8:34)

The Bible tells us plainly that Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His crucifixion. He is not spending His days and nights floating around on a celestial cloud. He, who created the universe, is sustaining it. He has the whole world in His hands.

He is also our High Priest making intercession for us at the right hand of God the Father. He is helping us when we pray. He is our defense attorney. We are told that, “…if any man sinew have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. (I John 1:2)

Rather than pretend we have not sinned sometime following becoming a Christian, the Christ who knows us better than we know ourselves, pleads our case before God the Father.

When we are having problems He is along beside us encouraging us, comforting us and being our friend. The resurrection did not end His ministry.