Have You Recognized Him? by Dr. Judy Baus

04/01/2011

God in His great mercy and love sent His Son to earth to make a way for mankind to once again have fellowship with God. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, spent time here on earth, and then ascended back to heaven from where He came.

I love this month because it reminds me of what the Lord Jesus Christ did for me, for you, and for the whole world. Jesus Christ has certainly made a major difference in my life. Has he in yours?

God in His great mercy and love sent His Son to earth to make a way for mankind to once again have fellowship with God. Jesus died for our sins, was buried, rose on the third day, spent time here on earth, and then ascended back to heaven from where He came. I’d like us to think about the “third day,” the day of His resurrection. It is called Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. I prefer to call it Resurrection Sunday because of the pagan origin of Easter.

For the believer in Jesus Christ, this day has great meaning. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead makes Christianity unique from every other religion. The other tombs are still occupied by the founders of their religions but not so for Christianity or for followers of Christ. Jesus is alive and well ruling and reigning from Heaven.

More people attend church service on Resurrection Sunday than any other day except for Christmas. I believe that Christmas is better attended because it is easier to accept a baby in the manger than a man dying on a cross. The cross represents bloodshed, pain and shame endured for the sin of each person in the world. The resurrection represents the finished work of the cross!  Jesus said from the cross “it is finished.” (John 19:30) He had completed what He came to do. When I meditate on the resurrection I always think of Jesus OFF the cross, not still on it.

Since I became a follower of Christ I really don’t see the Easter egg thing. Also the bunnies and the eggs together really do not make sense to me. Do they to you? We need to rethink what we do and not just follow society doing something. Jesus came out of the tomb and during this season why don’t we mediate on some of the interesting things that happen surrounding that event in history.

After Jesus’ resurrection, He appeared many times beginning with Mary. These were tangible and physical appearances where He was speaking, eating, and allowing Himself to be touched. His resurrected body was no longer subject to the same laws of nature. He could still eat and be touched, but Jesus could walk through walls (John 20:19). The huge boulder that had been placed in front of the tomb had been rolled away, not so Jesus could get out, but so others could see it was empty and He had risen!

 After Jesus arose and before He ascended, he gave instruction to His followers ... “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age’” (Matthew 28:18-20). Amen!

In Luke 24:13-33 we read that when Jesus appeared to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, they didn't recognize him. They even talked in great length about Jesus, but they didn't know they were in his very presence. This resurrection Sunday, think about this: Has Jesus, the resurrected Savior, visited you? Did you recognize him?  I certainly pray so.