No One Asked Me But… (March 27, 2024)

By DR. LARRY MOSES

No one asked me but… In the church I was raised in, we had a traditional Easter greeting. We would greet each other with the statement “He has risen!”
The other person would respond with “He has risen indeed!”

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is considered throughout Christendom as the most important event in the history of man, for the salvation of all believers is considered to be found in the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

On numerous occasion Jesus told His disciples of his sacrificial death and resurrection. While the Jewish leaders at the time did not believe this claim, they feared that his followers would steal the body so they asked the Romans place a guard at the tomb. There are those who claim the Jewish religious leader took Jesus’ life. There are those who believe that the Romans took His life. However, no one took Jesus’ life because He gave it up freely for the salvation and justification of all believers.
Jesus’ appearances are not the mere figment of His followers’ imaginations. This is Jesus Himself.

The gospel writers begin their accounts of the resurrection as the stone sealing the tomb is rolled away. It is rolled away not so Jesus could get out but so his followers could get in.

Several women came to the tomb early Sunday morning only to find it empty. Angels at the tomb told them that Jesus has been raised from the dead. Mary Magdalene runs ahead of the other women to find Peter and John who upon being told of the body’s disappearance rush to the empty tomb. Peter and John could not accept the fact that Jesus had risen, even though He had told them numerous times it would happen.

Jesus’ first appearing to Mary and the other women is interesting, for by custom their testimony was not acceptable as evidence in a court of law. He further appears to Cleopas, a disciple but not one of the apostles, before he reveals himself to His innermost circle of disciples.

Finally on this day of resurrection, Jesus will appear to all the other apostles except for Thomas who was not present at the time. However, all the apostles will be with Jesus on several occasions. both in Jerusalem and further north in Galilee, where he gives them their apostolic commission. All told over 500 people will have the privilege of seeing the resurrected Christ.

No one asked me but… Here is a poem I believe explains Jesus’ life, death and resurrection.

THE WORLD CHANGED

In a Middle Eastern country on that cold December day
Shepherds came from nearby hills, and Kings from far away
As they traveled to the Christ Child they were guided by a star.
The shepherds brought admiration, the Kings a golden bar.

But nothing seemed to change

Baptized by his cousin as John would show his love
His Heavenly Father’s approval was symbolized by a dove
Jesus began His work to save those here on Earth.
Jesus was on a mission that was started at His virgin birth

But nothing seemed to change

Jesus went into the desert where He fasted forty days,
The Devil wanted His immortal soul and hoped to have his way
Satan said: “Worship me” and offered riches untold
Jesus told the Devil to leave for his devotion would not be sold

But nothing seemed to change

He spoke Beatitudes from the mountain top on high
He spoke of ways to be pleasing in God’s ever-seeing eye
He made the lame to walk and made the blind to see
He walked upon the water and from fear he set Peter free

But nothing seemed to change

When Jesus entered Jerusalem, loud Hosannas they would sing
Palm branches they placed before him; they wanted an Earthly king
And cheers rose around Him as He rode through the crowd
Had they understood His mission, would they have cheered so loud?

But nothing seemed to change

Jesus had a last supper with the friends who made up his little band
He told them things they could not comprehend or hope to understand
He broke the bread and blessed the wine in that upper room
He spoke of a coming victory, but all they could see was impending doom.

But nothing seem to change

Judas took thirty pieces of silver to place a kiss upon the cheek
With the mob he went to the garden where Jesus they would seek
Jesus could have called on angels without number but this was not the day
Jesus went with the Pharisees for it was his Father’s way

But nothing seemed to change

They took him to the Governor accused of things He had not done
To tell their lies, these priests stepped forward and testified one by one
The Pharisees and Sadducees, their power they would not share
They spoke before the Roman judge who would only sit and stare.

But nothing seemed to change

The trial was conducted while He wore a crown of thorns
The priest still cried for blood with arguments well worn
The judge washed his hands and said he could find no fault
But the priest would not relent until they saw Him in a vault.

But nothing seemed to change

They took him to Golgotha and placed Him on a rough-hewn tree
With a criminal on each side the man in the middle the people came to see
It seems strange company for the Son of God to share upon His death
But while on that cross Jesus forgave us all with His final dying breath

And some things began to change!!

The temple curtain was ripped and the sky was turning black
Those who gambled for His robe now wanted to give it back
The Earth began to shake and fear was all about
Within the fear and trembling, you could hear the people shout

And some things began to change!!

Mary found the tomb was empty filling her with fear
Three days were gone, a stone rolled back, why was He not here
Mary walked upon the grounds until she came upon a man
It was her Lord and she knew He had completed His holy plan

And all things had changed

The virgin birth; the miracles, His never-ending love
His victory over death as he joined His Father up above
Take up the cross of Jesus for the requirements they are few
Accept these gifts of Jesus as He gave them freely unto you
And all things will change and nothing will ever be the same

Thought of the week: HE HAS RISEN – HE HAS RISEN INDEED.