God’s NOT Dead. He DID rise. He IS coming back again one day.
I’m a day late and a dollar short, but better late than never.
The release date of the movie, God’s Not Dead 2, was April 1, 2016. On Good Friday, almost two years later, I FINALLY saw it. This movie resonated with me. It was about a teacher who was put on trail for answering a student’s question, by referencing Jesus Christ in her response. Her life and occupation were put on the line. This teacher was being persecuted because of her belief in Christ, even though this history teacher was answering the question by referencing a historical figure.
I would have been fired more than a dozen times. From answering questions, to praying with students, to having the bible on my desk…there were a plethora of reasons that my job could have been in danger, yet God persevered.
The Atheist-turned-Christian, once an investigative reporter, now author Lee Strobel was a witness in the movie. I remember reading his book, The Case for Christ, and feeling so intellectually intrigued and challenged. Then, once the movie had ended, I recollected a small book which was nesting on a shelf in my bedroom. This book was Mr. Strobel’s The Case for Easter. Well…how appropriate! I couldn’t wait to begin reading this ninety-page book…immediately.
In this book, there are only three chapters:
- The Medical Evidence: Was Jesus’ Death a Sham and His Resurrection a Hoax?
- The Evidence of the Missing Body: Was Jesus’ Body Really Absent from His Tomb?
- The Evidence of Appearances: Was Jesus Seen Alive After His Death on the Cross?
As I read each chapter, the evidence was compelling. GOD’S NOT DEAD! JESUS DID DIE FOR YOU AND ME. CHRIST DID RISE FROM THE GRAVE. And, you know what…He IS coming back.
I recently read an interesting caption to a photo that was shared on social media. The caption, from the Sherman Baptist Church page, was expanding on the words from John 20:7, by explaining the significance of the folded napkin.
He also saw the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. It was folded up and laid in a different place from the pieces of linen. John 20:7
The caption read:
In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.
When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it…
The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished. Now, if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.
The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, ‘I’m done.’
But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because……….. The folded napkin meant, ‘I’m coming back!’
He is Coming Back!
Do you get it? He is coming back. Once Jesus walked out of that stone covered burial cave, He left a “little note” just to let all know that He will return one day.
Some dear friends of mine have been to the possible burial site of Jesus Christ. Like their guide mentions:
“I wish that we could guarantee that this is where the resurrection took place. We can’t say it because it happened so many years ago. But I can tell you this, this tomb meets every description of all four of the gospels writers. So, if this isn’t it, you’re looking at something that looks just exactly like it. But what’s more important is what the resurrection means in your own hearts. I think that when Jesus rose from the dead that day, and when He walked outside of that tomb, I think it was God’s divine identification and guarantee that says that He really is who He claimed to be, He is My Son. When He walked outside the tomb that day, He guaranteed victory over death. Victory of Satan.”
What does this Easter weekend mean in your heart?
Do you believe that Jesus Christ is God’s Son, that He was brutally beaten and crucified for all our sins, that He was buried, and He rose again?
Dear friend, your sins can be forgiven. You can be a sweet child of God. He does give you new mercies each morning. He is coming back. And when He does return…are you going to Glory Land with Him? I am. Praise the Lord!
Don’t be like I was with the movie, “a day late and a dollar short”, in your relationship with Christ. Trust Him now.
God’s NOT Dead. He DID rise. He IS coming back again one day.
I want to encourage you to read any of Lee Strobel’s book. They are slam full of evidence of Who Christ is. Also, purchase the book, My Emmaus: God is Faithful 24/7, by Mike Parker. Each short chapter, in this 118 page book, provides personal testimony to how God is alive and active in one’s life.
HAPPY EASTER EVE!
Many blessings to you and yours,
Stephanie
(Thank you, Krista, for sharing your photos with me.)