Category: The Resurrection

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What’s The Commotion?

For April 13, 2025
It was Sunday when travelers from all over the world gathered in Jerusalem to commemorate the Passover, the mighty act of God when He delivered His people from Egyptian bondage. The city was filled with crowds, as this was one of the three appointed times when every Jewish man was required to come before the Lord “in a place which the Lord shall choose.”

Then, it happened. A ripple of commotion spread through the city, growing louder by the second. What began as a distant murmur soon became a chant that echoed through the streets: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the Highest!”

It was unmistakable—royalty had come to town! In our day, royalty ride in limousines with their insignias proudly displayed. But two thousand years ago, conquering kings rode horses to show their power and authority over their subjects. But Jesus—our King—chose a different path. In a profound display of humility, He rode on a colt, the foal of a donkey, fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9 (NIV),

Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

In His Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem, Jesus chose the path of peace, as the “Prince of Peace” as foretold in Isaiah 9:6. The crowds laid down their garments and palm branches before Him, while others waved their palm branches and shouted in celebration.

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, had arrived. And “the whole world has gone after Him!” (John 12:19)

It’s beyond comprehension that the eternal, holy God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, chose to take on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ. What’s even more remarkable is that, though He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, He chose to enter Jerusalem in the humblest way possible. He could have arrived in royal procession, commanding the respect due to His glory. But He did not.

Why did Jesus, the King of Glory decide to take such a humble approach? Perhaps we can find the answer in His own words in Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV),

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Jesus didn’t come to rule as a worldly monarch. He came to reconcile us to God by offering us salvation through His sacrifice at Calvary. His entry into Jerusalem wasn’t just celebrity fanfare. It was the beginning of the most important week in history—the redemption of the human race!

Truly, He was our Conquering King who presented Himself as the Humble Servant, offering Himself for our sins. The King of Kings would humble Himself to death on a cross, enduring insults, mockery, and humiliation all because He loves us more than we could ever know.

So, what’s the commotion? The King is coming—not just to Jerusalem, but to our hearts today. And He is still accessible through faith, repentance, and surrender. Jesus is calling. Won’t you come to Him and experience rest for your weary soul, and know the life-changing power found only in Him?

What a Wonderful Savior!

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Truly a New Year!

For January 1, 2025
Around the world, people gather each New Year to celebrate with dazzling fireworks, breathtaking light shows, and joyful festivities. From the iconic Times Square Ball drop in New York to the stunning displays at Sydney’s Harbour Bridge and the shores of Copacabana Beach in Rio, these celebrations capture our universal longing for hope and new beginnings.

But what if the renewal we long for goes deeper than resolutions and celebrations? What if the true promise of the New Year lies not in turning the page of a calendar, but in experiencing the life-changing power of spiritual rebirth through Jesus Christ?

Every New Year reminds us of how we mark time itself: the years are numbered since the birth of Jesus Christ, the most important person in human history.

His birth was so significant it became the dividing line of history, ushering in what we call Anno Domini or “the Year of our Lord.” Although scholars place Jesus’ actual birth around 4 B.C., today we commemorate 2,025 years since His coming into the world.

His advent isn’t just a historical footnote; it’s a moment for reflection. Jesus didn’t come merely to split history into before and after. He came to transform sin-broken, human lives, by offering us a fresh start that only He can provide, as He promises in John 3:3 (NLT):

I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.

What does it mean to be born again? It’s not just a metaphor. It’s a complete spiritual transformation. Through Christ, we become new persons—literally. Because He takes away our sin, and gives us a new, holy beginning, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) declares:

This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun.

While many approach the New Year by setting resolutions; seeking wealth, fame, or success; Jesus offers us something far greater: eternal life, hope, peace, and a relationship with God that satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts. Because external success will never fully satisfy us; only Jesus Christ can transform us from the inside out and give us the joy, purpose, and fulfillment God created us to experience.

This is the heart of the Gospel message: God’s love for us. In John 3:16-17 (NLT), Jesus declares:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.

This incredible gift of salvation is freely offered to you today. When you hear the Gospel and understand that God loves you and longs for a relationship with you, everything changes.

By turning from sin and turning to Christ by faith as your Lord and Savior, you can receive the new and abundant life He promises. Moreover, His Spirit will live in you, preserving, guiding, and empowering you to live the life He created you to live … one day at a time closer to His glorious return!

This new life doesn’t guarantee wealth or fame, but it brings something far greater: a complete renewal of the heart. When Jesus transforms you, the old life, with all its guilt, shame, and brokenness, is replaced by a new life filled with peace, joy, and purpose.

It’s a transformation the world cannot offer but that God promises to everyone who believes in Him.

As we embark on this New Year 2025, I pray that you will know the love of God and the new life found in Christ. Won’t you trust Him today and let this mark the start of your new life? The new beginning you’ve been searching for is found in Jesus.

What a Wonderful Savior!

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For March 31, 2024
Calling Jesus Christ a mere teacher or miracle worker significantly undermines His true nature. While on earth, He went beyond being a kind person who dedicated Himself to improving the human condition by feeding the hungry, healing the sick, raising the dead, and restoring hope to the hopeless.

Seven-hundred years before His birth, the Prophet Isaiah predicted we would acknowledge Jesus Christ as “Immanuel,” meaning God with us. (Isaiah 7:14) The resurrection of Jesus Christ is what sets Him apart from any other historical figure while also making the Easter Celebration distinctive.

Almost two-thousand years ago, the Roman government executed Jesus and guarded His tomb with armed soldiers. Today, we have ample records of His death and burial, yet the only plausible explanation for the absence of His body is the resurrection.

The empty tomb is that silent testimony to the resurrection of Christ, which has never been refuted. The Romans and Jews could not produce Christ’s body or explain where it went, but nonetheless, they refused to believe. Not because of the insufficiency of evidence but in spite of its sufficiency do men still reject the resurrection.[1]

Unlike anyone else in history, Jesus not only predicted his death but also predicted His rising from the grave as well.

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep … No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. John 10:11, 18 (NLT)

His resurrection wasn’t simply resuscitation to His earthly existence, similar to those whom He brought back to life; as He would have eventually died of old age Himself. On the contrary, His resurrection serves as evidence that God accepted His perfect sacrifice for our benefit.

As a result, He became the “first fruits” of all those who have faith in Him for their eternal destiny, including us. (1 Corinthians 15:20-23) Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and we have everything to gain in Him as our hope of glory. (Colossians 1:27, Hebrews 13:8)

Amen and Hallelujah!

Moreover, because of His impeccable ministry and teachings, He is our Divine Prophet, (Deuteronomy 18:15 ff.), molding our moral and spiritual course even today. Furthermore, He reigns as the “Prince of the Kings of the Earth,” (Revelation 1:5), through His Holy Spirit and His written Word, the Bible.

Apart from these wonderful attributes, He is our Great High Priest, through whom we receive forgiveness for our sins and peace with God.

But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come … Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Hebrews 9:11-12. (NKJV)

Jesus’ perfect sacrifice covers our sin as the Lamb of God (John 1:29), who is fully capable to save “to the uttermost” all who come to God by Him, seeing He lives forever to make intercession for us (Hebrews 7:25).

Only through Jesus Christ can we find righteousness and reconciliation with a holy God. By repentance and faith in Him, we receive instant forgiveness and restored fellowship with God.

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 (NIV)

Through the shedding of Jesus Christ’s blood at Calvary, we now have the privilege of approaching God boldly and can confidently expect His approval as He substitutes our imperfect life with Jesus’ sinless one. Now when God looks at us, He sees no trace of sin and condemnation. Instead, He sees the pure heart and clean hands of Jesus Christ, and that we are suitable for His eternal fellowship.

We are finally free from the overwhelming weight of sin, guilt, and shame. His Word and Spirit remind us that we can let go of our sinful past and live an abundant life as new creations, forgiven by God and covered by His blood. (John 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

It’s like being brought before Jesus, like that woman in John 8:1-11. Despite our condemnation, we stand alone in the presence of our Savior and Redeemer, who asks, “Where are your accusers?” “They are gone, Lord,” we reply. “Neither do I,” Jesus tells us, “Go and sin no more!”

Our Dear Friend is our Constant Companion, never leaving us even in our darkest hours. No matter the circumstances we face, whether positive or negative, He is always present to support us. He will wipe away our tears and defend us in our struggles, filling our hearts with His joy and peace. He supplies us with all the resources, both spiritual and material; to live a life that pleases Him.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)

Our enduring Christian faith lies in our Resurrected Lord as we look forward to a magnificent eternal life beyond this earthly existence. Won’t you give your life to Christ today and forever enjoy His blessed life?

What a Wonderful Savior!

[1]Josh McDowell, “The Resurrection – Hoax or History,” Evidence that Demands a Verdict: Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith, rev. ed., vol. I, (San Bernardino: Here’s Life Publishers, Inc., 1979) 226.

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Still Counting … Still Waiting!

For January 1, 2024
The captivating message of Jesus Christ, delivered over two thousand years ago, continues to touch hearts and transform lives today:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest!” Matthew 11:28 (NLT)

Our faith in the Lord leads to fulfillment and complete satisfaction, as we are forever reconciled with God.

The Scriptures attest to our obstinacy, pride, and disobedience—often with impunity. Yet God, who is rich in mercy, with His great love for us … while we were yet sinners, sent Christ to die for us. (See: Ephesians 2:1-5)

We can begin 2024 with a fresh start by putting our faith in Jesus Christ. For only He can make “all things new,” and supply us with everlasting peace and total freedom, which our sin-cursed world cannot offer (See: 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 8:36; 14:27)

Jesus creates new hearts inside His new people who are still counting the days until the glorious return He promised us:

Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. John 14:1-3 (NLT)

Won’t you begin 2024 with Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, and let Him change your life forever?

What a Wonderful Savior!

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Glory to God in the Highest!

For December 25, 2023
Nothing out of the ordinary happened on that particular evening when the shepherds were preparing for the long night ahead of them. But as they were settling into the quiet of that silent, starry night, while watching over their flock—it happened.

And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:9-14 (NKJV)

The shepherds rushed to Bethlehem and found Jesus with Mary and Joseph in the manger, just as the angels had said. With great excitement, they went about spreading the news that the long awaited Messiah; Christ our Savior and Lord had been born. Truly, now will be a time for peace on earth and goodwill toward men; glory to God in the highest!

God so loved the world that He gave us the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ, so that “whosoever will” can have the forgiveness of sin, peace with God, and eternal life by virtue of our faith in His death and resurrection. In addition, now that we are certain of our peace with God, we can also manifest peace and goodwill towards one another. In other words, since God forgives us, shouldn’t we forgive others too?

Psalm 118:22-23 (NKJV) reads, “The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. This was the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in our eyes.”

If human beings were responsible for our salvation, only a privileged few would obtain it. I’m glad that it’s incumbent upon God’s grace and our faith in Christ redeeming work on our behalf to secure it forever.

Won’t you give the Lord your heart and experience His glory, peace, and forgiveness today? He can change your life forever.

Glory to God in the highest. Let there be peace on earth and goodwill toward all humans everywhere through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!

What a Wonderful Savior!   

And Happy Birthday, Jesus!

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