Can YOU Believe It?

There are three certainties in life - you’re born, you live, and you die. End of story. But what if someone comes along and changes the story? This blogpost is a glimpse into the life of that someone whose death can change our story.

 CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

 
MAN LIVES BEFORE BIRTH

God’s Son, Jesus, existed before the beginning of time

He is the firstborn Son, superior to all creation. Everything was created by him, everything in heaven and on earth, everything seen and unseen, including all forces and powers, and all rulers and authorities.

All things were created by God’s Son, and everything was made for him. God’s Son was before all else, and by him everything is held together. - Collosians 1:15-17

 In the beginning was the one who is called the Word (Jesus), The Word was with God and was truly God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. - John 1:1-2

MURDER PREDICTED CENTURIES EARLIER

Jesus’ murder was written about as though it had already happened.

He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, “He is a nobody!” He was painfully abused, but he did not complain.

He was condemned to death without a fair trial. Who could have imagined what would happen to him? His life was taken away because of the sinful things my people had done. He wasn’t dishonest or violent, but he was buried in a tomb of cruel and rich people. - Isaiah 53:3, 7-9

MURDER VICTIM CHOOSES DEATH!

Jesus said: “The Father loves me because I give my life so that I can take it back again. No one takes it away from me; I give my own life freely.

I have the right to give my life, and I have the right to take it back. This is what my Father commanded me to do.” - John 10:17-18 

Jesus said: “We are going to Jerusalem. Everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man (Jesus) will happen.

He will be turned over to those who are not Jews. They will laught at him, insult him, spit on him, beat him with whips, and kill him. But on the third day, he will rise to life again.” - Luke 18:31-33

MIRACLE-WORKER KILLED

Listen ti what I have to say about Jesus from Nazareth. God proved that he sent Jesus to you by having him perform miracles, wonders, and signs. All of you know this. God had already planned and decided that Jesus would be handed over to you.

So you took him and had evil men put him to death on a cross. But God set him free from death and raised him to life. Death coculd not hold him in its power. - Acts 2:22-24

CRIMINAL SENTENCED TO HEAVEN

There were also two criminals led out with Jesus to be put to death.

One of the criminals on a cross began to shout insults at Jesus: ‘Aren’t you the Christ? The save yourself and us.’

But the other criminal stopped him and said, ‘You should fear God! You are getting the same punishment as he is. We are punished justly, getting what we deserved for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.’

Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus said to him, ‘I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.’ - Luke 23:32, 39-43

EYEWITNESS SAYS JESUS IS GOD

At noon the whole country became dark, and the darkness lasted for three hours. At three o’clock Jesus cried in a loud voice, ‘Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani.’ This means, ‘My God, my God, why have you rejected me?’ Then Jesus cried in a loud voice and died.

When the army officer who was standing in front of the cross saw what happened when Jesus died, he said, ‘This man really was the Son of God!’

JESUS IS ALIVE ANGEL SAYS

Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly a strong earthquake struck, and the Lord’s angel came down from heaven. He rolled away the stone and sat on it. The angel looked as bright as lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.

The guards shook from fear and fell down, as though they were dead. The angel said to the women, ‘Don’t be afraid! I know you are looking for Jesus, who was nailed to a cross. He isn’t here! God has raised him to life, just as Jesus said he would.’ - Matthew 28:1-6

SCEPTIC CONVINCED BY NAIL SCARS

Thomas said, ‘I must see the nail scars in his hands and touch them with my finger. I must put my hand where the spear went into his side. I won’t believe unlesss I do this!’

A week later the disciples were together again. This time, Thomas was with them. Jesus came in while the doors were still locked and stood in the middle of the group. He greeted his disciples and said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here and look at my hands! Put your hand into my side. Stop doubting and have faith!’

Thomas replied, ‘You are my Lord and my God!’ Jesus said, ‘Thomas, do you have faith because you have seen me? The people who have faith in me without seeing me are the ones who are really blessed!’

‘I’LL BE BACK!’ SAYS RESURRECTED JESUS

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Don’t be worried! Have faith in God and have faith in me. There are many rooms in my Father’s house. I wouldn’t tell you this, unless it was true. I am going there to prepare a place for each of you. After I have done this, I will come back and take you with me. Then we will be together.’ - John 14:1-3

Christians believe that Jesus died and was raied to life. We also believe that when God brings Jesus back again, he will bring with him all who had faith in Jesus before they died. - 1 Thessalonians 4:14

YOU CAN LIVE FOREVER

Jesus said:

‘I am the one who raises the dead to life! Everyone who has faith in me will live, even if they die. And everyone who lives because of faith in me will never really die. Do you believe this?’ - John 11:25-26

‘I tell you for certain that everyone who hears my message and has faith in the one who sent me has eternal life and will never be condemed. They have already gone from death to life.’ - John 5:24

JESUS CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE NOW

Jesus said:

‘If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross each day and follow me.

If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it.

What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourseld or waste your life?’ - Luke 9:23-25

Christ carried your sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. - 1 Peter 2:24

 Jesus said:

‘I came to give life - life in all its fullness.’ - John 10:10

CAN YOU BELIEVE IT?

Why not talk to a Christian and ask how Jesus can change your life?

You can even ask Jesus himself.

You can read more of his life, death and resurrection in the Bible.

Try starting with the book called John.

Source: Scripture Gift Mission, SGM International