BECAUSE HE LIVES
By Pastor Ava Mitchell
BECAUSE HE LIVES
We have heard a lot on the passions of Christ lately and it seems to have sparked an interest in, as one news commentator put it “the man Jesus”. Unfortunately, I don’t believe the interest is in getting to know him in a heartfelt sense as the Apostle Paul said, “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection:. I had someone tell me of the movie “it was brutal”. I already knew according to scripture. “… his visage was so marred more than any man…” Isaiah 52: 14b He didn’t look like a man, he didn’t even look human. Christ knew it would be a brutal death. He prayed in Gethsemane, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt”. Matthew 26: 39
He did it all for you and me. Our penalty for sin has been paid, but friend, it doesn’t end at the cross. And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14
Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 1 Corinthians 15:18
The route to my job takes me by the local church that I pastor and on one side of the church there is a cemetery. I always look that way each day as several of my relatives are buried there but one day this week a feeling came over me as I looked at the graves of those dear ones awaiting the trumpet to sound and I thought of the scripture “O grave where is thy victory, O death, where is thy sting.” Isaiah 52:14b
The apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Those dear saints that have gone by the way of the grave died in blessed hope of a resurrection day.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Hallelujah! I feel some of that resurrection power just in hearing these words. What a comfort it is. Can you just imagine how it must have been as Mark 16: 1-2 relates us how very early in the morning Mary Magdalene, Mary the Mother of James and Salome came to the sepulcher “at the rising of the sun”. They did not know this new day would be known though out all generations for the “rising of the SON”. They were troubled and weary in body and spirit and they talked among themselves as we sometimes do about being “between a rock and hard place”. But the closer they got to where Jesus was the heavy “stone was rolled away”. The messenger there said to them “Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth which was crucified: HE IS RISEN, HE IS NOT HERE, behold the place where they laid him”.
Brother and Sister that tomb is still empty today. HE LIVES, HE LIVES and as 1 Corinthians 15:20-23 says... But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
I believe, according to scripture it will be after his (Christ) manner. The graves will opened, the caskets will be opened, the grave clothes will be left behind and the corruptible will be incorruptible and the mortal will have put on immortality and :death will be swallowed up in victory “Christ said in John 14:19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: BECAUSE I LIVE, YE SHALL LIVE ALSO.
One day, and my spirit says soon, the graves of all the saintly dead will be emptied and “rising for that jubilee that is just ahead” Firstfruits means something will follow. He walked down through the dark corridors of death and turned the SONLIGHT on those that will follow. Death would no longer be darkness but “light everlasting” for his children. Brothers and Sisters take comfort!! HE’S ALIVE, HE’S ALIVE, THE GRAVE COULD NOT HOLD HIM.
Revelations 21:3-5
And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be NO MORE DEATH, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
A pastor friend of mine told me he and his family were gathered around his Mother’s bed and she had been in a coma for days when all of a sudden she opened her eyes wide and begin to shout and said, “there’s Jesus” and closed her eyes and died with a smile on her face. I don’t believe a dying woman is going to tell a lie! Death for a child of God has no sting nor the grave any victory. IT IS VICTORY, for as he came forth on that resurrection day, we will come forth to live and reign with him forever. What a day that will be!! Friend, is it well with your soul today? Only the “dead in Christ” will rise up to meet him. Whether you go by the way of the grave or are “alive and remain” one cannot go to heaven with un-confessed sin in his or her life. Today is the only day we are promised and today is the day of salvation. The blood Jesus shed at Calvary is still flowing today to save and cleanse from all unrighteousness. Accept him into your heart and life. “Only one life, will soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last”.
Ava Mitchel
Gladys, VA