Focal Passages: Luke 23:50-24:12, 36-53
I recently heard a story about a missionary preaching in a bazaar in Northern India. As he closed, a Muslim gentleman came up and said, “You must admit we have one thing you have not, and it is better than anything you have.”
The missionary smiled and said, “I should be pleased to hear what it is.” The Muslim said, “You know when we go to Mecca we at least find a coffin. But when you Christians go to Jerusalem, which is your Mecca, you find nothing but an empty grave.”
But the missionary just smiled and said, “That is just the difference. Mohammed is dead; Mohammed is in the coffin. And false systems of religion and philosophy are in their coffins, but Jesus Christ, whose kingdom is to include all nations and kindreds and tribes, is not here; He is risen. And all power in heaven and on earth is given unto Him. That is our hope.”
It is that knowledge and blessed hope that challenges (or should challenge) every believer.
We do not serve a dead religious leader or a dead useless religion. We have a Savior – Jesus – who is alive and standing by the throne of God (Acts 7:55, 56).
A professor I once studied under said that he believed Jesus would not sit down on the throne until all of God’s children are safely home.
Much like the little boy who waited for weeks to go to a friend’s birthday party. When the day finally arrived, a blizzard made the sidewalks nearly impassable.
The boy’s father told him he couldn’t go – it was too dangerous.
Tearfully the boy pleaded to go. The father thought a moment, and then agreed to let him go. The blizzard was harsh, and it took him more than half an hour to trudge the short distance to the party.
As he rang the doorbell, he turned briefly to look back and saw a retreating figure – it was his father.
He had followed him to make sure he arrived safely.
He will see us safely home. That is our hope and assurance.