I am the resurrection, and the life (John 11:25)
Today, on Easter, or Resurrection Sunday, we will look at 3 questions from the Bible which are very relevant to us.
1. Is Jesus the Messiah?
John the Baptist was sent by God to be the forerunner to usher in the arrival of King Jesus (Mark 1:2). John testified that Jesus was the King that God had promised Israel (John 1:30). However, instead of reaping Kingdom rewards from serving the new King, John was jailed. Also, Jesus’ ministry did not look like He would be King anytime soon. Hence, out of doubt, John asked Jesus this question: are You the One that God has promised?
2. Do you believe in Jesus?
Jesus did many miracles, including healing the deaf, blind, mute, lepers, and even raising the dead! Jesus reiterated to John through his disciples the miracles that He had performed (Matt 11:4). While the miracles are great and mighty, by themselves, they are not the complete set of evidences of His identity as God’s Chosen One.
The point is, Jesus’ miracles fulfilled what God had promised in scriptures (eg, Isaiah 35:5-6). Therefore, based on the evidences, Jesus asked John this question: do you now believe I am really the Chosen One God had promised in Scripture?
3. What shall I do with Jesus?
Under political pressure from the Jewish leaders, Governor Pilate was made to judge Jesus as a rebel. Pilate came to the same conclusion thrice: “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38, 19:4, 19:6). One of the questions posed by Pilate reflects the question that faces all men: “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?” (Matt 27:22)
Ever wondered why Jesus Christ had to die?
As The Son of God, Jesus could have summoned 10,000 angels to set Him free when He was caught and left dying on the cross; but He did not, because He needed to die for us for our sins. God loves and created us. But, He is a holy and just God who has to judge us for our sins. All of us have sins, which include lying, anger, cheating. Hence, the only way we can be right before God is to pay the penalty of sin (which is death!). Christ took that penalty on our behalf when He was crucified!
But, as mentioned in numerous prophecies in the Old Testament, Jesus (being the Son of God) has dominion over death. He is the resurrection and life! We get a glimpse of it in John 11. Here, Jesus raised a man, called Lazarus, 4 days after he had died. This is something impossible! In so doing, Jesus gave a preview of the promise He made to those willing: “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” (John 11:25-26)
Once again, for all of us today, we face the same question that Pilate did: “What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ?”
Do you believe? By faith, enter into a relationship with Christ and live.
He could have called ten thousand angels To destroy the world and set Him free.
He could have called ten thousand angels,
But He died alone for you and me.
(Chorus of ‘Ten Thousand Angels’)
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