He’s Alive

Recently, the Pentagon released a report on a very strange and unexplainable phenomenon…alien sightings. I have no intention of speculating on the meaning of these. At the same time, there is no question that God is supernatural and real. He lives, so it doesn’t surprise me that there may be other phenomenon we don’t understand. Thankfully, Jesus Christ is greater than any power on this earth. We can trust and find refuge in Him.

But last Sunday we celebrated Jesus’ resurrection and I recalled that Jesus allowed many “sightings” after He rose from the dead. Don Francisco’s song so clearly describes the uncertainties, fears, and probably terror the disciples felt as Jesus was crucified, and they feared potential crucifixion themselves as believers in “the Way.”

Jesus wanted to assure them and be certain all knew without doubt that He was and is alive! We seem to forget to mention this reality…something so important following Jesus’ death. God ordained these “sightings” with supernatural purpose, and these were recorded in both in the Bible and history books.

Look at these references to Jesus’ appearings:

“ but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead.” (John 10:40-41)

Appeared to Mary:

“Jesus said to her, “Mary.”

She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”).

Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”

Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.” (John 20:10-18)

Appeared to the disciples:

“Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence.” (Luke 29:39-43)

“Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” (John 20:27)

Appeared to all the Apostles:

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. (Acts 1:4-9)

Appeared to 500 people: “After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.” ( I Cor. 15:6)

Jesus appeared to several women, Peter, disciples on the road to Emmaus, to James, to Paul, and to many more. There can be no doubt that Jesus Christ is alive today, just as He was following His resurrection.
Chuck Colson, Special Counsel to President Richard Nixon once said after coming to know Christ, “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Everyone was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. You’re telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”

Thankfully, we can be absolutely certain today that when we believe, we pass from death into eternal life, beginning the day we believe. And this reality will be brought to completion when our bodies pass from this earth to live with Him forever. Now, in the midst of this troubling world, that is worth celebrating!