We Believe: Who Is Jesus Christ?Mfano

RISEN and ASCENDED

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

He is risen! He is risen indeed! We hear those words echo every year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. This is a sticking point for many people- a dead Jesus means a wise man, maybe even a prophet. But reconciling themselves to a risen Jesus is going too far. (But if Jesus isn’t risen, He wasn’t a wise man, He was a lunatic!) His ministry, His purpose, His purpose on earth was to live and to die and then to defeat death by returning to life, not as a spirit man, but as the fully embodied Son of God. Through the record of eyewitness accounts, we can be sure that our Savior, Jesus Christ, is alive. Not only is he alive, but he is sitting on his throne at the right hand of God. The apostle Paul reminds us that this means that our freedom is secure and His love for us is certain. Praise God!

Ask Yourself:

-What assurance and hope do you find in Romans 8:28-39?

Pause to Pray: Jesus, you are alive! Your death paid the penalty for my sin. But more than that, your resurrection means life for me! Someday I, too, will rise and forever be with you in your presence. There are not enough words to express my gratitude. Praise you, Jesus… Amen.

Weekly Challenge: Name the person/people God has laid on your heart to share the gospel with. Write their name on a post-it note and put it on your car steering wheel so you pray for them during your daily commute. Or set a daily alarm on your phone. Develop a habit of praying for them, asking God to give you words and ways to share His good news with them.