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John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. Because I live, you will live also. Calvary was just a few hours away. Jesus knew that he would soon be sentenced to death in Pilate’s judgment hall. He knew the agony that He would face and was well aware that the burden of all of man’s sins would be laid on Him. He also knew that He would rise again in three days. Death was simply an unpleasant although necessary interlude. Man could kill His flesh but they couldn’t kill the God who dwelled within Him. He, the living Word of God, has always lived as an integral part of God’s person. He was in the beginning with God and was God. He came into the world as a man to accomplish our redemption and soon would be returning to the bosom of His Father from whence He came. Hebrews 2:10 tells us that Jesus, by tasting death for every man, led many sons to glory. By His resurrection, Jesus became the first fruits of them who slept (I Cor. 15:20) Because He conquered death, death can have no dominion over us either. For the believer, death is simply a necessary transformation from mortal to immortal. When we hear the trumpet of God, the grave won’t be able to hold us. Our bodies may have totally dissolved into dust, but when the archangel gives a shout we will be instantaneously reconstituted and join our Lord in the air (I Cor. 15:23). Because He lives, we have the privilege of receiving His Holy Spirit, by which He lives in us. Jesus said that He would go with us, even unto the end of the world. As the song says, Because He lives, we can face tomorrow. We can walk through this world without fear, knowing that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). Because he lives within us, we can overcome the spirit of antichrist that is running rampant throughout this world (I John 4:3-4). We don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but our risen Savior does. We, like the early Christians, are not immune from tribulations and the wrath of man. Thomas saw His nail scars and declared, “My Lord and my God,” and was forever changed. Peter, who had denied Him, saw the empty tomb and was never silent again. All of the apostles but John died a martyr's death. They had been eyewitnesses of the resurrection and ascension and nothing that man could do could ever make then deny Him again. The Romans slaughtered Christians by the thousands. They were fed to the lions, burned at the stake and tortured for mere amusement, but most did not deny their Lord. They had met the risen Savior and had an unshakeable confidence that their death would be nothing more than a temporary unpleasantness. They knew that because Jesus lived, they would live also. I Corinthians 15:51 ¶ Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In his death Jesus demonstrated God's love for us in the fullest possible way, achieved total victory over evil, and made our salvation possible. He was not merely a good man who died as an example of virtue or meekness; he was the perfect God who took our burdens of sin and guilt and made them his burden. His death was not an example to inspire us but a sacrifice to save us! - Rod Benson, John Mark Ministries Free Ebooks That You Can Download. An Expository Study on the Book of Colossians The I AMs of Jesus Your thoughts and Inquiries Contact@About-Him.Com Subscribe to this devotional? Subscribe to About-Him Devotional Keep Looking Up! Don and Marie Spooner About Him! Ministries The purpose of About-Him.Com is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ whom we preach as the Almighty God manifest in the flesh. It is our desire that everything presented on these pages increases your faith in our God and Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Home About Us About His Word Bible Studies Flash Movies Guest Writers Humor Links Midi Music Songs of the Church Thoughts on the Life of Christ Weekly Devotions Audio Devotionals Topical Studies Contact Last modified: 10-05-2011 Contact us About Him! Ministries |