September 21
“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen…” (Luke 24:5-6)
We have been looking at Jesus and discovering just a few of the things that made Him unlike any other man… or religious figure.
We saw that He was a Man of Sorrows – that He did not just come to take away our pain, but to share in our pain. He felt exactly what we felt – with an empathy that built deep emotional connections with those to whom He ministered. Jesus (God with us) was unashamed to embrace what it is to hurt… just as we hurt.
We also saw that Jesus came to serve – and noticed that this was no small thing. God came down to us, and rather than demand our service (which He deserved!) He chose to serve us. In love, He elevated the status of those around Him to a place of importance – and humbly gave of Himself to those in need.
Today, we bring our attention to the one fact that separates Jesus from every other religious figure (or leader) who ever lived…
If you want, you can take a trip to Kushinagar, India and find the resting place of the cremated remains of Gautama Buddha.
Or you can make a journey to Madina, Saudi Arabia, and find the tomb of the prophet Muhammad.
Take any trip you like, if you seek for the founder/leader of any of the world’s religions you will find an honored, final resting place.
But if you go to Jerusalem to seek the grave of Jesus of Nazareth, you will only find an empty tomb. You can look inside and see for yourself – there is NO ONE in there.
That’s because Christianity is formed on the foundation of one amazing fact. Our Savior lives! He died on a Roman cross, was buried in a nearby tomb, but was raised from the dead three days later!
And He still lives today.
The whole basis of Christian faith rests in a living Redeemer – Who paid the ultimate price for each of us, but is the only Person Who defeated death – never to die again!
The leaders of all the world’s religions were able to influence and instruct many people. They often had some good advice for us. They had some wisdom to share with us. But, being mortal, they could not remain with us forever.
Only Jesus is alive forevermore. And He lives to walk with each of us, work with each of us, speak with each of us – and to guide us into the fullness of all that His death and resurrection bought for us.
We, who have received Jesus (and what He did for us), share an eternal connection with our Creator. We are adopted members of God’s Own Family. Entrusted with His Kingdom – emissaries of the Most High. Beloved children of God.
With the Living Savior as our Head – our Leader – the Author and Finisher of our faith.
This makes Jesus the most important Figure to ever live… to die… and to live again.
There is none to which we can compare Him. He alone is, indeed, “the way, the truth, and the life.” There is no other person who could do what He did… and continue to do what He does — for those whose hearts have trusted in Him!
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