Alive & Well

Jn.14:⁶ “Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Other religions offer to show their followers the way, but Jesus says, “I am The Way”. Other religions offer to teach their followers the way, but Jesus says, ‘I am The Way and anyone who wants to come to the Father must come through me’ (paraphrased). How audacious! Only Jesus, no one else, only Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life”. The fourth proof that Jesus resurrected, is alive and well is, there were living eye witnesses. These witnesses, though scattered all over the world, lived and died for their witness. And their witness of the resurrection of Jesus was consistent.

The information I am about to share with you available on the national geographic website. It is actually a historical fact, how these witnesses died because of their witness. Simon Peter was crucified upside down by Nero. Andrew (his brother) was scourged, tied to the cross to die a long and painful death. James, the son of Zebedee, was killed by Herod with a sword. John, his brother, was the only one that did not die a violent death. John was secluded on the island of Patmos. Phillip was crucified in Egypt (54AD). Bartholomew was skinned alive and beheaded.

Matthew was stabbed in the back by a swordsman sent by King Hertacus of Ethiopia after he criticized the king’s morals. James, son of Alphaeus, was killed by hitting him on the head with a club at Edessa (the name of cities in both Turkey and Greece) in 72AD. Simeon (the zealot) was crucified in England at 74AD. And Thomas was killed in India, he was impaled with a spear. If the witness of the resurrection of Jesus was not real, Thomas would have spoken up. He probably would have said something like, “They said they saw Him and that is all I have been saying. I did not say I saw Him!” Thomas gave his life for the witness that Jesus is alive and well.

The Bible says in 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.” Jesus is alive and these men must have seen Him, being with Him and touched Him after His resurrection. There is no greater witness than one who is willing to give his life for what he believes in. Jesus is alive and well!

Prayer (song): I believe in You, Lord. I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died and rose again. I believe You paid for us all. And I believe You’re here now, standing in our midst. Here with the power to heal now and the grace to forgive. Amen!