HE IS RISEN!
Today’s Reading: Matthew 27-28
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
The Garden Tomb, Jerusalem. "He is not here!"
Key Verse: Matthew 28:6
He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
The resurrection of Jesus is the most thoroughly reported fact of ancient history. The tough battle-hardened Roman guards “shook for fear.” According to Roman military manuals, a “guard” consisted of at least 8 soldiers, and if one fell asleep on duty, the others were supposed to kill him on the spot. Those who deny the facts of the resurrection must answer some questions: Where’s the body? What would turn a man like Peter, who could not stand up to a waitress, into a bold, fearless man just 50 days later? What about the over 500 people who claimed to have seen Jesus alive after His resurrection? Many of these were still alive when the Gospels were written. What about the over 5,000 Jerusalem Jews who became believers (including many of the Jewish priests) after Peter preached in the Temple? (Acts 4:4 and Acts 6:7). No official source has ever been able to deny this history in an effort to prove that the resurrection is only a myth, nor has anyone in authority denied the amazing growth of the Jewish Church of Jerusalem. We have the Mishna, the minutes of the Sanhedrin (the ruling religious body) for that period of time. These contemporaries of Jesus and the Apostles knew the facts. HE IS RISEN!!!
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord God, You raised Your Son and our Saviour from the dead. He’s ALIVE! I worship Him! Amen and Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
In the early 1960’s, Norma-Jean and I worked at establishing a congregation in Deep River, Ontario, the residential community for Atomic Energy of Canada at Chalk River. I found that some senior nuclear physicists were humble believers in Jesus. One told me that a change in the molecular structure of Christ’s body could enable Him to appear and do all that He did in His post resurrection appearances. One Easter Sunday morning, the parents of a baby named Tim Laronde presented him before the Lord at the altar of our church. Tim was born with a club foot. As I held him up before the congregation I was filled with God’s Spirit and said, “Either Jesus is alive and still does the same miracles today, or the soldiers were right when they said, ‘While we slept His disciples stole His body.’ Jesus is alive and when Tim is old enough to walk, He will walk normally.” The next morning, Tim’s mother Marilyn burst into our home carrying Tim and showed us both feet completely normal. Just over two years ago, I met Marilyn in Pembroke, Ontario, and we rejoiced in the fact that Jesus is alive and that He is the Healer.
Serving a risen Saviour,
David
P.S. In yesterday’s blog I mentioned actor Bruce Marchiano, who played the part of Jesus in the four-hour film production of The Gospel of Matthew. My son, Ron, has since found online that entire movie. What a blessing it has been for me to watch and listen to this film which includes all of Matthew, word-for-word (the New International Version). If you only have time to watch the last few chapters of Matthew, you can fast-forward by dragging the little dot on the bottom left of the screen approximately 90% of the way across (the chapter and verse appear on the screen). Please let me know if you were able to access this amazing Holy Spirit-inspired production (click here).
Oh Lord, my Father, Your splendour and favour,
Is great amongst us, it is everywhere.
Painted in waves, crashing on rocky shorelines,
Making the sound of redemptive proclaims.
Skylines and sunrises, breathtaking each morning,
Behold, as we see them, in colours above.
Trees that are blooming, alive as they’re breathing,
Sounds of birds chirping, so happy for life.
Merfolk are swimming, stroke after stroke,
Together, in pods, they glide by in the waves.
Joggers and bikers, pole walkers in numbers,
The pathway along the lake is so graced.
It matters not, if it rains or is dry,
The earth, sky, and water are at Your command.
The power that reigns on earth for our summers,
Is held in the mercy of Your sovereign Hands.
You are our splendour, our Lord and our Saviour,
We praise You, in worship; we bow down to You.
For without Your favour, our joy would be nothing.
But with You, we’re so blessed with everything!
Oh, hallelujah, oh hallelujah, we sing together,
We praise You, our King.
Oh, hallelujah, oh hallelujah, we sing together,
We praise You, our King!
Beverlee Kay, c. June 2014
God bless ye, merry saints!
Beautiful prose which speaks to the heart. Amen, sister Beverlee!
Amen.
Well said sister in Christ. Amen!
Beautiful Beverlee, thank you.
Thank you David for faithfully writing you daily blog…. I feel as though I cannot start my day until I read it. And YES I was able to down load the movie on Matthew
The link for the movie Matthew works perfectly. Thank you! These chapters leave me near breathless to read of Christ Jesus’ death and resurrection, and His Devine impact on all our lives.
Amen!
The link works for me.
Many thanks for all you are doing to help us understand the word and to get a closer relationship with Jesus.
Shalom,
Graham.
2012 Holy land Yellow Bus.
Wow! I got the movie on my Tablet. This is amazing. We saw “God is not Dead” & “Heaven is for Real” @ the movie theatre but it had been years since we went to a movie theatre & we felt like a fish out of water! This movie on the internet is amazing. Thank you Lord. We need to feel your love during these turbulant times. Glorify Yourself in all the World. Even so, come Lord Jesus. Amen.
The link worked for me as well. The song, “How Great is our God” by Chris Tomlin on You Tube came to mind if you would like to access it friends. A fellow high school graduate, Joanne Drake went to work in Chalk River Nuclear Plant in 1961 David. Later she taught at U.N.B. St. John Branch; a real math genius. A splendid poem, Beverlee.
Was able to access the movie, thank you for sharing.
The link worked for me too— when Matthew first came out I purchased the four video tape series– I was on a very fixed income so the hundred dollar purchase price was a bit steep for me, but so worth it. I still have them and kept my old videotape player so I can still have this movie from time to time.
This movie in my opinion has been and always will be the best depiction of Scripture one can see. It truly captures the heart of Lord—using God’s words alone, no added dialogue And now everyone can watch it free on the internet, wow that is an amazing leap in technology.
I would also HIGHLY recommend reading Bruce’s book about his experience in making this movie called “In the Footsteps of Jesus–One Man’s Journey Through the Life of Christ.” Published by Harvest House. It is one of most uplifting books I ever read and will be a great encouragement to any who doubt God loves them– please read this book and see our Lord for who He really is.
Yes I get the link thank you so much I will watch it as soon as I have some time.
Yes I too got the link ,I will watch it later when I am not so busy thank you so much …..R….
JESUS
Jesus, His love is so pure,
The sins of the world did endure.
On the cross He was nailed,
Before the crowd was impaired,
His love so unselfish and sure.
Jesus, His mercy has shown,
There on the cross did atone,
His sinless life He gave,
My sinful soul to save,
His mercy no limit has known.
Jesus, His grace is so free,
Went to the cross just for me,
All my sins on Him laid,
All my debt there He paid,
His grace unmerited and free.
Jesus, His resurrection gives life,
Calms all my turmoil and strife,
When to Him all I yield,
He’s my rock and my shield,
He has given me eternal life.
I wrote this some years ago, hope will bless you today as you think on the cross, and what it means to a believer.
Mary
Thank you Mary, so blessed.
Beautiful Mary!! Amen!!
THANK YOU JESUS YOU SUFFERED AND GAVE YOUR LIFE THAT I MIGHT LIVE!!! MY MIND CAN’T EVEN GET AROUND THAT, ITS TOO HARD TO COMPREHEND!!!
THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER FOR YOUR GREAT LOVE, THAT YOU PAID SUCH A GREAT PRICE FOR US, FOR THE WORLD!!!
OH LORD I PRAY THAT MANY WOULD RESPOND TO THAT GREAT SACRIFICE!!
YOUR WAY OH LORD AND YOUR THOUGHTS ARE MUCH HIGHER THAN OURS. THANK YOU THAT YOU ARE OUR GOD AND SAVIOUR: THANK YOU FOR THAT GREAT LOVE.
THANK YOU JESUS, YOU DID IT ALL!!!
Thank you Beverlee Kaye your words paint a glorious picture of God’s love and creation. An expression so beautifully put together.
HE IS RISEN INDEED!! AMEN AND AMEN!!! GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!!!
I always weep when reading what they did to Our Lord, and for me and all mankind He endured. thank you Jesus.
The link came through and before fast forwarding I have watched toe first hour. What a wonderful movie. Thanks for the link. Intend to go through it step by step. Visual depictions always add to reading The Word, especially when it is true to The Word.
Thank you Rev. David and Ron. I was able to access it. Although I did see it when it was original presented in its entirety, it was good to see it again. Thank you.
Thank you so much for this link. I did watch it & have book marked this site as I will want to see it again. All glory, honour & praise to the risen Lord.
Beverly