“For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 ESV
What can we take to heaven with us? No things. But people! We have the privilege of sharing the good news of salvation and discipling those who will hear and believe. This is just what the leaders of Jesus’ day feared.
“The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said, ‘Sir, we remember how that impostor said, while he was still alive, “After three days I will rise.” Therefore order the tomb to be made secure until the third day, lest his disciples go and steal him away and tell the people, “He has risen from the dead,” and the last fraud will be worse than the first.’” Matthew 27:62-64 ESV
The truth is, Jesus was not an imposter. He did rise from the dead and broke the seal of the tomb! And His disciples did tell people the best news ever- Jesus is alive and victorious over sin and death!
The fraud was in the coverup. The truth is the empty tomb!
Then when Jesus ascended back to heaven, He gave His followers a mandate. Tell others what they had witnessed. What they had learned while walking and doing life with Him every day.
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV
Today we should pray that we will live and walk and speak in this power that He has now also filled us with when we surrender our lives to our victorious King Jesus!
