“The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction
and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.”
Robert Flatt
Information alone rarely changes lives. But when
someone experiences the truth, their future is often changed for
good. This is certainly the case with Jesus. Sure, people's lives get changed
for all sorts of different reasons, but the transformation that we
see in the disciples’ lives is irrefutable evidence that they believed they had
encountered the living Christ.
Remember the disciples back in the Garden of Gethsemane? At the first threat of
real danger, “everyone
deserted Him and fled” (Mark 14:50). But then “Bam!” just like that, something
changed. These guys became radical and fearless,
willing to give their lives in the name of Jesus Christ. What happened?
On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together,
with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and
said, "Peace
be with you!" After He said this, He showed them His hands and
side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. (John 20:19-20)
This
encounter with the living Christ completely transformed them from men
who were hiding behind “doors locked for fear of the Jews" into an
unstoppable team. History and tradition show us that the disciples were
tortured, exiled, and killed because they would not be quiet about their
encounter with the resurrected Christ.
James of Zebedee — Beheaded, A.D. 44
James of Zebedee — Beheaded, A.D. 44
Philip — Scourged and
crucified in Phrygia
Matthew — Martyred in
Ethiopia, A.D. 60
James — Stoned and
clubbed, A.D. 94
Matthias — (Judas’
replacement) Stoned, beheaded in Jerusalem
Andrew — Crucified in
Edessa
Peter — Crucified
Bartholomew — Beaten and
crucified in India
Thomas — Thrust with a
spear
Simon the Zealot —
Crucified, A.D. 74
Judas of James — Crucified
in Edessa, A.D. 72
John — Exiled to Patmos
We can truthfully say
that billions of people can testify to the change that the
resurrected Christ had made in the disciples life! That's why you should be so
committed to telling the truth from the Scriptures. But it has to go from head
knowledge to a living, relational experience with the risen Christ.
Is
the focus of your faith simply informational?
How would your life be
changed if you lived in fuller awareness of the resurrected Jesus in you and
with you today?
Prayer: Risen Christ, I don't want to just know about You. I
want more than just the facts that show You rose from the dead. My heart yearns
for You. My heart seeks You. I am open to experiencing You today, on a personal
level, Amen
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