“The One Who Showed Himself Alive” (ready to Worship S9E13)

May 17, 2019

Ready to Worship Season 9, Episode 13 for Friday, May 17, 2019

This season on Ready to Worship, we are examining the resurrection of Christ. It is our hope that studying this event will enrich our worship on the Lord’s day.
Luke, who surely knew something about life and death as a doctor, wrote the following: “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:” (Acts 1:1-3). Dr. Luke spoke in exact terms. Let’s examine what he said.
The Presentation (showed himself alive)
Jesús did not hide Himself away after His resurrection. He put himself on display. To Agrippa, Paul declared, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner” (Acts 26:24-25). Agrippa knew. The events surrounding the death of Jesus were not done in a corner or hidden from him. Jesús was Exhibit A for the defense.
The Proofs (many, infallible)
The proofs of the resurrection of Jesús were not few, but many. The proofs were not suspect, but certain. The evidence was overwhelming and indisputable. God has never left himself without witness. He has given evidence of his existence. To idolaters who tried to worship him, Paul declared, “Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness” (Acts 14:15-17). Just as God gave clear evidence of His existence, He gave clear evidence of His Son’s resurrection.
The Period (Forty days)
Jesús didn’t appear once to a single individual in a dark alley. He appeared over a period of forty days to numerous individuals in the light of day. If I was trying to hide something, I would limit exposure to it. I would carefully arrange a short time for a selective viewing. However, this is not what happened. For forty days, Jesús was on public display. Men had multiple opportunities to see Him and to study Him. This was especially true of the disciples. Their eyes beheld, their ears heard, and their hands handled the risen Lord (1 John 1:1-2). They would suffer and die defending it.
As we get ready to worship this week, let’s remember the One who showed himself alive by many infallible proofs for over forty days. He is alive and He has the power to quicken us.