Now, entering also, they found the body of the Lord Jesus. And it occurred, at their being perplexed concerning this, lo! two men stood by them in flashing attire. Now at their becoming affrighted and inclining their faces to the earth, they say to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?"
Lukes Account 24: 3-5, Concordant New Testament
I was watching a show on television the other night which told the "Story of Jesus." Sadly, much of the program was devoted to speaking of the Lord Jesus in the past tense. I feel that this is the same way that many speak of Jesus these days. That includes believers and those who should know better. Time and again we see the life of Christ unfold in various movies and shows which is nothing but a slow build up to His march to the cross. Far too many people see the crucifixion as the end of the road for Jesus. His life here on earth over, His spirit now resides with the Father in heaven. Yet something happened a few days after Jesus died on that cross. For coming to His tomb that morning, those who were there were witness to one of the greatest miracles ever. Gazing at that empty tomb, the angels proclaimed to them, "Why are you seeking the living among the dead?" Indeed! Before His death, Jesus spoke many times of how He would be put to death and rise again three days after that {Marks Account 8:31, Matthews Account 16:31}. Yet that morning, staring at His empty tomb, they were astonished at what they saw before them. It turns out that Jesus was telling the truth the entire time. Why would anyone be surprised at this? The truth of Christ Jesus is not that hard to comprehend, He is alive, He is risen! The events of that morning are more than just a story we tell once a year on Easter Sunday. It's because of these events that the sins of mankind are stripped away. It's because of these events that our life in Him is secured. When the apostle Paul spoke of his knowing of the Lord Jesus, he did not speak in the past tense. For Paul, Jesus IS alive. Paul speaks to the truth of the indwelling Christ in him {Paul To The Galatians 2:20}. Paul knew that he was living, "No longer I, but living in me is Christ." The man once known as Paul no longer exists, what remains is Christ Jesus. THIS is the real story of Jesus. This is the story of Jesus which very few pastors of movies will tell. We're content with reading of the Jesus who once was.
With Christ have I been crucified, yet I am living; no longer I, but living in me is Christ. Now that which I am now living in the flesh, I am living in faith that is of the Son of God, Who loves me, and gives Himself up for me.
Paul To The Galatians 2: 20, Concordant New Testament
As I see it, living in the knowledge of stories of a Jesus of the past brings us ZERO hope. How does one hope in someone who has died? What good can a dead guy possibly do? Thankfully for us, Jesus is not dead, but risen. We need not speak of Him in a past tense. We are free to speak of the Jesus in Whom we share His very life. We are IN Jesus. This is what Paul was speaking to in Galatians. Paul knew that he, in effect, was dead. That old man, born into sin, was no more. His flesh body remained, but Paul's spirit was indeed in Christ Jesus. This takes us down yet another road of what really defines us. Is it our flesh, or our spirit within us? Did Jesus' flesh define Him? Indeed, His flesh was put to death, yet His spirit remains. The scripture tells us that God is spirit {Johns Account 4:24}. By this we know that we are in spirit as well. For it is God who created us in His very image {Genesis 1:27}. The flesh body of Jesus may be dead and gone, but His spirit lives in us. This confirms the words which Jesus spoke, that we abide in Him {John's Account 14:20}.
In that day you shall know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you.
John's Account 14: 20, Concordant New Testament
~Scott~
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