The Resurrection events in the New Testament off a closer walk with the here-and-now Jesus to everyone. Unfortunately, Christians have too often rejected the biblical, foundational rock of supernatural revelation, for the gravestone of religious knowledge and programs.
The Bible shows how human government and religion teamed up to seal Jesus in a tomb, but He rose and broke free from both of them! “The chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate,” to “secure” Jesus’ tomb. Of course, their efforts didn’t work!
“The women hurried away from the tomb…Suddenly Jesus met them.” Leave the tomb and discover the risen Jesus!
“Who will roll the stone away?” “When they looked up they saw that the stone which was very large had been rolled away.” Look up!
“She turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus.” We need to recognize the risen Jesus.
As His disciples gathered behind locked doors, the risen Jesus “came and stood among them.” Jesus, break through our locked doors!
When Thomas heard the risen Jesus say, “Stop doubting and believe,” he responded, “My Lord and my God!” Will you?
The risen Jesus “stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.” Maybe you’ve seen Jesus and missed Him.
When an amazing thing happens, sometimes we need someone to tell us, “It is the Lord!” and motivate us to jump “into the water.”
Jesus gave His disciples, “many convincing proofs that He was alive.” He’s also convinced me! I love following the risen Jesus!
The Resurrection declares, “No more absentee Jesus!” Let the risen Jesus live in and through you 24/7/365!
Distancing from the risen Jesus has distracted far too many Christians and caused them to depend on religious programs and pastors. Hierarchies are backed up by spiritual “principalities.” That’s why Jesus told His followers not to set them up. Luke 22:25-26.
If we don’t read the Bible with our heart open to the voice of the risen Jesus, we tend to impose our own study and opinions into it. The idea that the risen Jesus isn’t present and active in the daily life of His followers is a false Gospel. Some people say it’s not safe to vote absentee. I say, it’s not safe to worship an absentee Jesus.
Biblical Christianity isn’t the passive experience of weekly group-think, but daily obedience to the living Jesus. Check out my handbook about experiencing the risen Jesus, here-and-now: The Joy Of Early Christianity.
The absentee
Jesus leaves me
Empty.
Christ, living in me
Releases inner glee!
