Tuesday, April 15, 2014

This Thing Is Real!

We are approaching that time of the year when much of the world celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many celebrate His death on the cross and His resurrection 3 days later. All over the world folks are reminded of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection two thousand years ago; and the sacrifice of Himself for our sins.

Please let me remind you that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is real! It is not a myth. The blood that flowed on the cross over two thousand years ago is real...and still flows and cleanses us of our sin. The stripes that bore our sins, sicknesses, and diseases are just real as they were back then. The death, burial, and rising of Jesus are real! Myths can be entertaining, but myths are not real.

The reality of the cross is what gives significance to the cross. The reality of the cross gives power to the cross! It is real! To know Jesus is to experience the reality of His sacrifice on the cross. To know Jesus is to understand the newness of life provided by Him through His rising from the dead.

The closer one draws to Jesus...the more personal the cross and resurrection become. Some follow Jesus from a distance and often wonder if this "event" really happened. But it did happen. How do I know? Because Jesus lives in me. I know the exact second when the resurrected, victorious Jesus entered my heart. It all changed then. I no longer looked at the cross as a myth that could of happened...that might have happened. The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus took place in me! This thing is real!

When Jesus came to raise His good friend Lazarus from the dead He told His sister Martha, "I am the resurrection and the life...!" Jesus didn't raise Lazarus under a sudden supernatural anointing. He raised Lazarus from the dead because He IS the resurrection! When He comes in...what He IS...becomes a reality on a personal level.

My heart is bursting with joy as we approach the time of the year when the Passover Lamb is offered. What an incredible event! The innocent, sinless Lamb was sacrificed for you and me. His innocence paid for your guilt. His sinlessness washed away my sins. And two thousand years later...this thing is real! Celebrate the joy with me!

"...I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11: 25-26)