The Risen Christ is speaking:
“See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.”
You might have prayed long about closed doors in your life.
You kept knocking at many of them but they did not open. And you are disheartened. Yet the promise is true because the One who … Read the rest
There is only one person in all human history who said I have authority to lay down my life and to take it up again.*
There is only one person in all human history who said I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.*
And there is … Read the rest
It was a journey from Jerusalem to Emmaus, a village 7 miles away. Two men walked and talked. Their hearts were sad.
A stranger joined them. They did not recognize him. He asked them, “What are you talking about?”
They stood still; unable to assess how this person missed the momentous event that all had … Read the rest
A loud voice like a trumpet. The sound of the waves all around is drowned. Alert, John turned around to see the voice that was speaking to him.
Now John was someone who saw Jesus as the Son of God with keener eye and clarity than anyone else (John 1:14, 20:31). Yet God had to … Read the rest
Why does Jesus not give us a glorious vision of himself more often? Like the one he gave to John in the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:12–16). Let us try to think on this.
One, God is holy. We cannot even imagine the awesome greatness and splendor of his holiness. If God doesn’t shield us … Read the rest
The resurrection of Jesus is a call and a reminder. It is a reminder that when Jesus died all those who believe in him also died with him. It is a call to apply that death in our life.
In a sense we do not fully understand, we too died with Christ. It does not … Read the rest
The picture most of us have in mind about Jesus is limited. We often think of him as a gentle person. True. He was so while on earth, and even now he is caring and compassionate. Yet we too need, like John in exile in the Island of Patmos had, a vision of the risen … Read the rest
Speakers often raise questions which provoke thought. Such questions are primarily asked not to seek an answer but to hit really hard at the thinking patterns of the audience. We find such a question in Paul’s speech before King Agrippa.
He asked, “Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead … Read the rest
“Son of man, can these bones live?”
God is not in the business of being a God of dead men’s bones. Here in a dramatic message to Prophet Ezekiel God showed him how he was going to bring life to a dead nation–dead both in their national identity and spiritually as well.
“Son of man, … Read the rest
Obedience is a key that unlocks many promises in the Bible. Several people desire to enjoy the benefits of these promises. But often they miss the part that demand obedience from their part.
The risen Lord promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age (Matthew 28:20).” This is … Read the rest
Our prayers reveal who we really are. It shows very clearly how big or small our understanding of God is. It also shows how selfish and self-centred most of our prayers are.
In the light of these thoughts let us look at a very different kind of prayer. It shows us the true heart of … Read the rest
Has anyone approached you to believe in their faith? If so, think about all that they told you. What difference did you find about their faith and your faith in Jesus Christ?
Whether you realised it or not is the resurrection of Jesus from the dead is that one thing that is undeniably what is … Read the rest
Are you a true believer? Have you really experienced the resurrection? If so, your heart will be set on things above. Your focus and obsession will not be on earthly things (see Colossians 3:1–4).
We are called to see what is the exalted position of Jesus in heaven. We are also called to understand that … Read the rest
The tomb holds great significance in the life of Jesus.
He died like a little child falling asleep into his heavenly Father’s arms with the prayer every little child was taught by a Jewish mother to pray as he was retiring to sleep at night (Psalm 31:5, Luke 23:46).
He then got a borrowed tomb … Read the rest
This same Jesus will come back (see Acts 1:11).
He and not another. What a blessed hope. That is the last message the disciples got as they looked up into the sky.
The certainty of his coming is assured. The manner of his coming will be the same way he went up to heaven.
Why … Read the rest
Have you ever wondered what the risen Lord would tell you if he meets with you today? He would say “Follow me!”
He said that to Peter twice in rapid succession (see John 21:19 and 22). To Peter the call was very clear. He was to follow his Master to death. Legends say Peter was … Read the rest
“But that night they caught nothing (John 21:3).”
The risen Lord chose a moment of the disciples’ failure to reveal himself. There are moments when our experience and expertise fails. It was so for those experienced fishermen of Galilee that night.
Now the best part of the incident is that Jesus is still the loving … Read the rest
Jerusalem was where Jesus was crucified. Two disciples made their way to Emmaus on Sunday evening after the crucifixion. The seven mile journey was long, but more lonely that day as they were sad and their faces downcast.
The risen Lord drew near to them, talked with them and walked along with them. He does … Read the rest
“For I know that you are looking for Jesus (Matthew 28:5).”
The resurrection message is for those who are looking for Jesus! The women could have easily stayed at home that morning. Like how the disciples did. But their coming to the tomb was the expression of a deliberate attempt to look for Jesus.
How … Read the rest
Hope is the gift that Jesus gave to us through his resurrection. It is a hope that stretches beyond the grave. Therefore Paul said, “If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men (1 Cor. 15: 19).”
First of all this hope gives us the … Read the rest
“It is I myself.”
Doubts and fears has to leave at this assurance from Jesus, “It is I myself (Luke 24:39).”
There is no dark room which cannot be set ablaze with light at this assurance from him, “It is I myself.”
He says this to remind you and me that he is the same … Read the rest
Most of us find a terrible joy in labelling people negatively. Perhaps no one else among the disciples of Jesus got a negative label than Thomas. We love to call him “Doubting Thomas.”
But the more I think about it, the incident related to the risen Lord appearing to Thomas is about how Jesus deals … Read the rest
Are you in a locked room?
Every heart has a locked room. That is where you hide when you are afraid. The risen Lord steps into such hiding places and says “Peace be with you!” (John 20:19, 21a).
Jesus does not desire that you lock yourself in fear. Not only does he grant peace but … Read the rest
In John’s gospel we see Jesus constantly referring to himself as the “sent One.” In his appearance to his disciples gathered in a locked room the evening of resurrection day, Jesus said to them, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you (John 20:21).”
This emphasis on being sent is one fact that … Read the rest
News it was! If she went running and reported to the disciples the first time that the tomb was empty; this time she went with the news, “I have seen the Lord (John 20:18).”
It tells us the fact that the good news is a natural response and outcome of a personal meeting with the … Read the rest
If you miss the resurrection, you might end up going back to your old ways. Why? Because without experiencing the resurrection you feel like a failure. And that is what made Peter say, “I am going out to fish (John 21:3).”
The very fact that Jesus met Peter after the resurrection and still Peter went … Read the rest
“But we had hoped (Luke 24:21).” This is often our statement of faith; isn’t it? When our expectations are not met and God seems to have failed us, we talk of hope in the past tense.
Jesus confronted the lost hope of these two disciples. Jesus extended their thoughts to beyond the cross and the … Read the rest
But some doubted (Matthew 28:17). The eleven disciples worshipped Jesus when they saw the risen Jesus. But some doubted.
Did Jesus reject those who doubted? Does Jesus put away those who doubt? My friend, doubt is not a disqualification. Jesus had the task of establishing the doubters after his resurrection. Even today he will do … Read the rest
The resurrection suddenly created a new family. Look at what Jesus told Mary Magdalene: “Go … to my brothers and tell them.” Well, Jesus had earlier called them friends. But now he calls them brothers.
When did Jesus call them brothers? Was it after they became perfect? No, not at all. They were cowards who … Read the rest
Why did Jesus after his resurrection choose not to go and show himself to those who crucified him? Well that thought is a temptation. Because the devil while tempting him had said, “If you are the Son of God (Matthew 4:3, 6),” then do this. But Jesus turned his attention to “It is written (Matthew … Read the rest
