Chase life, not death.”
–Eric H. Heisner (Seven Fingers a’ Brazos)
“I am the Living One: I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
–Revelation 1:18 (NIV)
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“He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way”
–Alfred H. Ackley
Take some time this week, in fact today–Good Friday–would be a good time to read the words of Jesus from Gethsemane through His trial. We are familiar with the words from the cross and I will not diminish them, but we often lose sight of the rest of the ordeal. Jesus actually said very little in His three “trials.” However, what He said had a great impact.
Start with the two words in the Garden when asked if He was Jesus. He simply replied, “I am,” and the soldiers and priests were hurled to the ground. Just the power behind that title! I have pondered and contemplated over what took place at that time. It seems to me that it should have gotten their attention, but no, not even the very breath and words of God could deter them. They were under a great delusion as the world will be under the influence of the Antichrist. Then ponder for a moment. What took place in the spiritual realm when Jesus made His declaration in Gethsemane? They demons, the angels, the old serpent himself knew who He was, but were they shaken as well?
They came to take Him, to put Him to death. But He told Pilate during one interview, “You rightly say that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” (John 18:37, NKJV) Remember that Jesus already declared, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:8, NKJV) No matter what anyone says, He is the Truth! He revealed Himself as “I AM”! Think of that when you sing this Sunday.
“I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living, whatever men may say;
I see His hand of mercy, I hear His voice of cheer,
And just the time I need Him He’s always near.”
–Alfred H. Ackley
He is the God who is here! Right now, right beside you, right beside me. There is no other, there is only Jesus Christ, the risen Savior! He proclaimed to the high priest when questioned, “You rightly say that I am”! (Luke 22:70) WOW! Get that! The priest along with the Sandhedrin was stunned, but they will be even more stunned when they bow before Him in judgment. Mark (14:62) and Matthew (26:64) shows that Jesus declares who He is. “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” Oh, they will tremble as will all those who do not accept His wonderful offer of salvation.
“In all the world around me I see His loving care,
And tho’ my heart grows weary I never will despair;
I know that He is leading, thro’ all the stormy blast,
The day of His appearing will come at last.”
Jesus came to present the truth; the truth that He is the Truth! Now is the day of salvation. It was purchased, paid for in full, by the blood of Jesus on the cross for anyone and everyone who will accept it. If the priests did not tremble with the statement of “I AM” I wonder what they thought when the tomb was empty? Could they believe that a bunch of common people, the disciples, could overcome a Roman guard? The empty tomb would linger and haunt their mind…and I might say, for eternity. Think of their private thoughts, think of the conversations in the small groups. Could Jesus be alive? Makes me smile to think of the delusion of their thoughts. He is risen! He is alive! Therefore…
“Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, lift up your voice and sing
Eternal hallelujahs to Jesus Christ the King!
The Hope of all who seek Him, the Help of all who find,
None other is so loving, so good and kind.”
The “I AM” is alive, and He is with every believer, every moment of every day. WOW! He does walk with us and talk with us along this narrow way that we trod.
“He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart.”