Alive

“Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen.” - Luke 24:5-6

Most religions (the world has over 270 of them) are built on philosophies. The four major world religions are built on personalities.

Judaism claims that its founder was Abraham, who died in 1900 B.C. He was buried and physically is still dead. Buddha, who died around 477 B.C., founded Buddhism. He was buried and physically is still dead. Mohammed, who died in 632 A.D., founded Islam. He was buried at Medina where his tomb is visited by thousands of devout Muslims every year and physically he is still dead. Jesus is the founder of Christianity. He died and was buried, but He came back to life and He is still alive.

Someone once said, Christianity begins where other religions end: with the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The empty tomb is a game-changer.

There is a story about a Buddhist in Africa. He was befriended by a missionary, who began to share with him the gospel of Jesus. He eventually surrendered his life to Christ and became a follower. When he was asked why he changed his faith the former Buddhist said, “It is like this. If you are walking along and you come to a fork in the road and two men are there and one is dead and the other is alive, which man’s directions are you going to follow?”

We all must decide who or what we are going to follow. Jesus is a risen Savior and a reigning Lord. This changes everything. Because He lives, His followers are in relationship with Him. We don’t just believe what He said or study what He did; we have the joy of knowing Him personally through the Holy Spirit. There is no other god who offers such intimacy. The gospel is this: Christ died for you so that you might live not only for Him but also with Him.

Father, There is no other God besides You, and no other Savior but Your Son Jesus. I pray that I will never take for granted the joy of knowing and serving a risen Savior. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.