Jesus is Not Dead, He is Alive!

As we go through this life, we often face challenges and obstacles that will knock us for a loop. We see things happen in the world and can’t understand how they can be allowed. We face chronic illnesses and natural disasters and mass shootings. All of which can, if given enough weight, shake our faith. 

Some might ask, how can a loving God allow such things to happen? Does God really exist if these things happen as frequently as they do? Where is Jesus in all this? Well, while we can’t always see Him working, the Bible tells us that God is everywhere and He knows everything (Psa 139:7-12; Heb 4:13). Nothing catches Him off guard or by surprise. In fact, before the world was created (2 Tim 1:9), God already knew His son would have to die to save humanity, and He still created us. He had so much love to share that there was still an abundance of that love for the world He would create by the Word and the Spirit (Gen 1). The same world that would reject Him and all He had to give. 

So, well before the fall (Gen 3), He determined Jesus would come into this world as a human baby, grow up and be the blameless sacrifice to carry the sins of the world to the cross in a horrible death. And then…..three days later, He would rise again with power over death and the grave (1 Cor 15:55-57). He is NOT dead! He is alive. 

And even though bad things happen, because we as humans reject the love and sacrifice of God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – He still loves us. Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world.  People are messy and have all sorts of issues. People are selfish and greedy and consequences are the result of our actions. We use all the natural resources of the earth and pollute our environment and expect the earth not to react with terrible storms and weird weather conditions and patterns. We want what we want with no regard to others, and then we expect God to intervene when we destroy it all. There are consequences for our actions – good and bad. 

Yes, there will be trials and tribulations to make us stronger, if we are in Christ (Jam 1:2-4). It’s really up to us. Jesus is where He has been since He ascended into Heaven all those years ago. He is alive, sitting at the right hand of the Father interceding for us (John 17:22). But will we accept the gift he offers – eternal life that begins right here, right now (John 3:16). When we accept Christ, the Holy Spirit seals us as Christ followers (Eph 1:13). Then we go from death into life (John 5:24). We’re still here in this world, but we have a new home with God in Heaven. We are adopted into His family and we become joint heirs with Christ (Rom 8:16-17). As we seek our Heavenly Father first and His righteousness, we can call on Him when we are in need – for peace, for protection, for provision, etc. 

Jesus is Alive! He is NOT dead! No matter what it looks like, don’t ever forget that. Be encouraged because what we see is only temporary (2 Cor 4:18). He went to prepare a place for us that where He is we can also be (John 14:2-3). Don’t lose hope! Don’t lose faith! Stand on the Word. Because He lives, we can face our tomorrows and we have hope (Heb 10:23). He lives! He lives! He lives!