"The Day that Changed the World "
"I [Jesus] am the Living One; I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold thekeys of death and Hades." (Revelation 1:18)
Around 1930, a Russian man named Nikolai Bukharin traveled from Moscow to Kiev. His mission was to address a huge assembly; his subject, atheism. For a solid hour, he aimed his heavy artillery at Christianity, hurling every argument and ridicule he could think of. At last he was finished and viewed what seemed to be the smoldering ashes of men's faith.
“Are there any questions?” Bukharin demanded. A solitary man arose and asked permission to speak. He mounted the platform and moved close to the speaker. The audience was breathlessly silent as the man surveyed them first to the right, then to the left. At last he shouted the ancient greeting, “CHRIST IS RISEN!” "The vast assembly arose as one man and the response came crashing like the sound of an avalanche, “HE IS RISEN INDEED!”
Today in the United States there are people who are still belying the Resurrection of Jesus. They hold their seminars and preach from their pulpits. They gather large crowds around them who nod their heads in agreement. Some carry signs in street marches or protest the proliferation of religious “nonsense” in other settings. But as long as there are people who name the name of Christ, people who are willing to stand up and say, "HE IS RISEN INDEED!," the message of Easter is a message that will not go away.
Those of us who name the name of Christ— by our life and testimony—must rise to the occasion and stand up as one to proclaim this message unashamedly. Jesus IS RISEN! We know it because we accept by faith the testimony of God’s Word. We also know it because of the difference the Risen Savior has made in our lives and countless others. We affirm this great truth because we know the depth of love and sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf. He gave His very life for us.
This reminds me of a story I read about a father who was caught with his two young daughters in a snow storm and lost his way. When night fell he wrapped his jacket around his two girls and lay on top of them to stop them from freezing to death. The next day they were found by a search party. The two girls were alive and well, but the father had frozen to death. He gave his life to save the ones he loved.
That's exactly what Jesus did for you and me. He gave his life to pay for the consequences of our sin—death. And on Easter, Jesus rose from the grave proving that he had forever overcome the power of death and sin, and to guarantee resurrection and life for all who put their trust in him. And because he is the Living One, the day he rose from the grave was the day that changed the world forever. And the day that you and I commit our life to him and receive his free pardon is the day that changes our life—forever!
Say it with me again.
“Jesus Christ is risen. HE IS RISEN INDEED!”
Pastor Glenn
Contact Pastor Glenn: PastorGlenn@oakhillbible.org