Living Proof

Acts 1:³ “During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.”

The apostles would gather behind closed doors for fear of the Jewish leaders and Jesus would appear (showing himself) and prove to them that He is alive. He did this because the disciples and the apostles were going to be His witnesses. These people saw Jesus crucified and they saw him buried. If they were not convinced that He was alive, that would have been the end of the mission, the end of the gospel. Jesus needed to spend forty days with them, showing up at different times, explaining things to them and proving that He was alive. However, there was one of the apostles, Thomas, had become discouraged and was not present at their meetings. So, when Jesus showed Himself and would answer the questions that the others had, he was not present.

John 20:^24-26 “One of the twelve disciples, Thomas (nicknamed the Twin), was not with the others when Jesus came. They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said.” What if as you are seated with your family about to have lunch, and suddenly Jesus shows up? While some will say hallelujah, for some it will be panic. I pray He shows up at your house, in Jesus Name.

John 20: ^27-28 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed.” The Bible did not record that Thomas put his hands into the holes in Jesus’ hand or side. But seeing Jesus alive, standing in front of him was enough proof for Thomas. One of the biggest lies that is floating around is that Christianity is the white man’s religion and it is being used to cheat and subdue Africans. So, to reject every form of colonialism, you have to reject Christ, reject Christianity. That is such a shallow argument because Christianity did not even originate from the west. Christianity originated from the middle east, from a carpenter’s house. Jesus said He will take that gospel to the end of the earth through His witnesses. And He has achieved that with different mechanisms and people, and we are glad that it got to us.

Prayer (song): You are the Resurrection and the Life, Jesus is Your Name. At the mention of Your Holy Name dead things will come alive. Amen!