Who Moved the Stone?

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?  Whom are you seeking?”  She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away, tell me where you have laid Him, and I will take Him away.”  Jesus said to her, “Mary!”  She turned and said to Him, “Rabboni!  (which is to say, Teacher).  Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and Your Father, and to My God and your God.’” (John 20: 15-18)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Upon arriving at the tomb, Mary discovered that the body of Jesus was missing. She was so grieved that she began to weep. She had journeyed toward the grave that day expecting to find the lifeless body of her beloved Lord; but instead, she encountered the living God. Mary embraced Him with such ferocity that He urged her to loosen her grip (His return was not permanent; He would soon ascend into heaven and take His place at the right hand of the Father.) Mary was instructed to deliver this news to the disciples who were in hiding as they feared for their lives. Having seen the risen Lord she became the first messenger of the resurrection and newness of life.

Throughout history, many, like Mary, have gone to the tomb expecting to find the body of Jesus; and like Mary, they too have found an empty chamber.  Every generation has had its share of doubters; people who believed they could do what no one has ever been able to do […] disprove the resurrection of Christ.  In the early 1900’s an English professor and journalist named Albert Henry Ross set out to investigate and refute the claims that Jesus rose from the dead (being a journalist he was skilled in examining the credibility of sources.)  As the evidence mounted, Albert was faced with an awesome truth; the accounts matched up; the archaeology was sound, and all of the witnesses were credible; Jesus Christ had in fact risen from the dead.  So instead of writing a book that disproved the resurrection, he entitled his book, “Who moved the stone?”  In the book, Mr. Ross, a new convert and faithful believer, sought to bring what he had discovered to the rest of the world.

The work that began with Mary on that third day has continued throughout every generation and persists even today.  Anyone who goes looking for Jesus Christ in a dusty tomb is looking in the wrong place.  He is very much alive, and is sitting at the right hand of God.  Both Albert Ross and Mary Magdalene set out to find Jesus; both of them discovered what they were looking for. Anyone who looks for Jesus will find Him alive; and because He has conquered death, we too can have eternal life.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we believe that Your Son has risen from the dead and that He is seated with You in Your Kingdom. Through His death and resurrection may we also have eternal life.  We desire to carry this message of hope to others and to boldly preach the truth in love. Give us the strength to spread the gospel to the entire world.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!

Being Prepared for His Return

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

      “Be dressed and ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when He comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for Him.  It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when He comes […] But understand this:  If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming he would not have let his house be broken into.  You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect Him.” (Luke 12: 35-37, 39-40)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

      In ancient times, Jewish weddings were relatively prolonged engagements; often lasting for many days.  The guests would recline on pillows, feasting day and night; often falling asleep beside the table.  The length of the celebration was uncertain; it could end at one in the morning, or three in the afternoon. As a result, when the master of a household attended a wedding, his servants had to be prepared for his return at any moment.  Thus, Jesus uses this parable to illustrate His second coming.  After ascending into heaven, He promised to return; yet provided no specific day or hour. He could return tonight, a month from now, or in a hundred years. And so His servants must eagerly await his arrival every second of every day.

     Many years ago, prior to my conversion, I was engaged in a life of sinful disobedience.  I lived alone, in an apartment paid for by my Dad.  He would occasionally pop in to make sure the apartment was clean and in proper condition.  One evening, while hosting a drunken bash, things got out of hand.  We smashed beer bottles in my living room.  An exterior window was broken, and another party-goer broke my car window with an empty beer bottle.  Somehow the toilet clogged and overflowed as well; leaking into the apartment beneath me.  I eventually passed out; thinking I could clean up in the morning without anyone noticing.  However, early the following day, I was rousted from my sleep by the shouts of an angry man. “Get up,” my dad yelled in my ear!  I sprang from the mattress\ in utter shock.  I was embarrassed, ashamed, and filled with fear.  I hadn’t expected him; I never thought that he might witness the carnage of my drunken behavior.  He stood by, patiently watching as I cleaned up the entire apartment.

      Much like my Dad, the Lord is coming at an hour when we least expect Him.  We must always be ready for his return.  Those who obey the teachings of Jesus Christ are prepared to meet Him.  If we continually love and serve others, then when our savior arrives, He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant […] enter into the joy of the Lord.”

      “Lord Heavenly Father may our hearts be filled with the expectation of Your return.  Reveal to us any areas where we are being selfish, rather than selfless. Convict our hearts and give us the strength to repent.  May we always be giving, kind, and obedient; never missing an opportunity to serve You and our fellows.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.”  God bless all of you!

The Hope of Eternal Life

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKS

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I also go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know; and the way you know.” (John 14: 1-4)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

Jesus confirms the existence of heaven in this scripture; a magnificent place where believers will walk forever in fellowship with God. In turn, there is no reason for Christians to fear death; nor should their hearts be troubled. Without exception, there is no death for those who are alive in Christ. This hope of eternal life in the future enables believers to abandon their selfish pursuits in the present; choosing to serve others today in exchange for an everlasting crown. Therefore, when a Christian dies there is more cause for joy and celebration than sadness and sorrow.

Around the year 125 A.D. a Greek by the name of Aristeides was writing to one of his friends about the new Christian religion. He attempted to explain the reasons for its extraordinary success. In one particular sentence he wrote, “If any righteous man among the Christians passes from this world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God, and they escort his body with songs and thanksgiving as if he were setting out from one place to another nearby.”

The bodily death of a Christian may initially cause sorrow in the hearts of those who are left behind. However, as the truth of their location is acknowledged, any remaining sorrow turns to great joy. They are not dead, but are alive in Heaven with God. The temptations of their flesh have been destroyed, and they are at peace in His presence. In turn, their funeral is a cause for celebration rather than sadness. If we too are faithful, we will see them again; and that hope is more valuable than great riches.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we know that death is not the end, and that one day we will be alive in Your presence. May we remain faithful and never lose hope in Your promise of eternal life. Give us the strength to continue walking in fellowship with You; that we may continue doing Your work in this place, until we are called home; a day that we are looking forward to with great anticipation. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.” God bless all of you!