It is that time of year again. Millions of Christians all around the world celebrate and remember Jesus’s crucifixion. Most of us, if not all of us, know the story by now. To sum it up, Jesus was arrested by the temple guards and put to death by the cross. On the third day he conquered death and rose to save us all from the bondage of our own sin. He then went to his disciples to tell them to spread the the good news to the ends of the earth before ascended into heaven to be with his father. Leaving a message that he would be back.
Although, I recently heard a message that showed me that a part of the story that often times gets missed is the time that Jesus spent on earth before ascending into heaven. Within the 40 days that he spent on earth he made appearances to his followers, ten of which are recorded.He went to Simon, the Twelve disciples, all the apostles, James, Paul, and a group 500 witnesses.
What was the purpose of this? Why did he go to all his followers? I mean, he had already done what he had come to do, he saved us from our sins.
These people all had seen or at least heard about Jesus’s crucifixion. They had mourned his death and had come to terms that he was gone. But then they see him, alive, standing right in front of them. It forced them to rethink everything they knew and rearranged their theology. He needed these people to believe in him and in what God had done.
Jesus needed to make disciples that had a burning passion for God. He needed them to have the kind of passion that wouldn’t burn out. The kind that would carry it to the ends of the earth because they hold it so true. The resurrection gave Jesus’s disciples, apostles, and followers a renewal of faith that caused the church to explode. He told them in Matthew 28:19 to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptize them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” And that is exactly what they did. It caused the people to carry on his legacy and his teachings so that we can still know who he is today.
It is because of these visits that we all attend a church service each Sunday. We need to have the same burning passion that Jesus gave his followers so that we can continue to carry on his legacy to the ends of the earth. I would like to end with this verse from Psalm 96:2-4. “Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations; his marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise.”
~ Anna (Age 15)
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