Who was Jesus? Was He just an historical person? An ordinary man?? Or the Son of God?? Christ believers firmly believe that He is the Saviour of the world. He was born to save all of mankind from the pits of sin, John 1:29, 29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! With the death of Christ, He brought the estranged sons and daughters of the Heavenly Father back to Him. He still acts as inter-mediator on our behalf to the Father. He will come again just as He was resurrected, Acts 1:11,11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” And the same is written in Luke 24: 5-7,5 In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”
Jesus chose twelve disciples during his life, and one of them was the betrayer, Judas Iscariot. One Thursday evening, he betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. Jesus was arrested, the disciples were scattered like flock without shepherd. Even Peter disowned Jesus thrice that night, that was the fear in him. Jesus had already instructed His disciples about His death and resurrection. But they failed to accept it properly, Matthew 16:21-22, 21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Peter dew back from the staunch faith he had otherwise displayed. He returned back to his former job as fisherman and so did two other disciples,John 21:2-3, 2 Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3 “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Just as they had withdrawn to their old job, they lost faith and in disheartened spirit locked themselves inside a room. Jesus after resurrection appeared before them and said, “Peace be with you all”. That day one of the disciples Thomas was not present. When the others told him that they had seen Jesus, he did not believe them. He said I won’t believe until I see him with my own eyes. Jesus appeared one day when all of the disciples were present. He clarified the doubts that had taken home in the heart of Thomas, John 20:26-31, 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”30 Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
When the chief priests heard of the resurrection of Christ they devised an evil plan to make it seem like a ploy by disciples. But it did not have any credibility.Matthew 28: 11-14, 11 While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, 13 telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.’ 14 If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”
What happened to the disciples who were locked inside the room out of fear? Those whom they feared, before them the disciples appeared like lions roaring and said, The Christ whom you crucified has risen and we are His witnesses. Where did they get the strength to preach the world of God to nations, homes and people.
They were witnesses to the resurrection of Christ. Here it is:
Luke 24:48, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:24 & 32, Acts 10:41, Acts 13:31, 1 Corinthians 15:15, 1 Corinthians 15:49 , Luke 24:48, Acts 3:15, Acts 5:32, Acts 10: 39, 1 John 1:2, Acts 22:15, Acts 23:11, Acts 26:16, John 15:27.
Where did they disciples get so much strength from that they were ready to accept any form of punishment? They were arrested and beaten brutally. Nothing could dampen their faith or spirit. They were renewed in strength and faith with every torture. Acts 5: 40-42, 40 His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.41 The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. 42 Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Their preaching in Jerusalem is to be observed carefully. 1 Corinthians 15:5, Jesus appears to the 12 disciples after resurrection. In Acts 1:3, 3 After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God, we read that He appeared several times before them. These verses made a believer out of disbeliever and filled them with Holy Spirit that they continued in faith despite numerous tortures.
Crucifixion was considered as the worst form of death penalty.Peter, James, Andrew, Philip, Simon,Bartholomew were crucified. Matthew was murdered with sword, Thaddeus was killed by an arrow, James, brother of Jesus was stoned to death, Thomas was killed by a spear, Zebedee son James was killed by a sword and John had normal death.
Crucified disciples did not die on the cross like Jesus, rather they were crucified on an inverted cross as they felt undeserving to stand next to Him and wanted to kiss His feet in death. They came out victorious from their death having died as witnesses to the truth the fought and died for. Today there are millions who believe and proclaim this truth. Even today we have several martyrs who die for Jesus. 2000 years have passed but His preaching still are with us. Can a lie have so much shelf life and sustain?? Will anyone die for a lie??? Answers with the one reading this ……..
Jehovah Roi 