This week a Jehovah’s Witness came to my door. She gave me a flyer advertising an event at her church on April 14 celebrating the “Memorial of Jesus’ Death.” As she described the event to me in 20 seconds, she used the words “Jesus’ death” at least four times.
I was stunned. She thinks Jesus is still DEAD!
Good Friday without Resurrection Sunday. What a tragically normal, human story. What a disappointment – if Jesus, who claimed to be God and said that He would die and then come back to life, couldn’t even bring Himself back to life, how on earth do I have even a chance of life after death?
Throughout every Lenten season, I read the stories of Jesus’ last few weeks on earth out of Jesus Storybook Bible (Lloyd-Jones) over and over again to 2boys. My favorite part this year is in “God’s Wonderful Surprise” when the angel, a bright shining man with clothes made from lightening, says to Mary Magdalene and the other women, “What are you doing here?! This is a tomb, and tombs are for dead people.”
Jesus is ALIVE, friends. In heaven, sitting – because His main job is done – at God the Father’s right hand. In the world today, creating all of the bits of good that still exist. In my heart, changing my life every day from the inside out.
He is risen! He is risen, indeed.