A Miraculous Change by Ann Broughton

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17 NIV).

    Jesus arose from the dead! The angel declared, “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.” (Mark 16:6 NIV). Jesus had told his disciples about eternal life. “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (John 3:14 NIV). It is this fact that brings hope to all Christians regarding eternal life. “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed---in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed”(1 Cor. 15:51-52 NIV).

     When I think about this miraculous change, I am reminded about how the butterfly emerges from its chrysalis. I just watched a show on television about the metamorphosis of a butterfly and was amazed. The person describing the process said that after the caterpillar spins the cocoon, its body changes into a goo like substance. Somehow this goo comes together and forms the butterfly. Isn’t that so amazing? How can anybody say there is no God after witnessing such a miraculous thing? From goo, out comes a beautiful butterfly with perfect markings on each side of its wings. A new creation!!!!

    Just like this butterfly, those who are Christians will be changed. “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body” (Philippians 3:20-21 NIV). What a wonderful thing awaits us in Heaven!!!  We will be changed.

    Hold on to that hope and tell others about Jesus’ love for them. He bore our sins on that cross and died a cruel death so that we can be forgiven and have eternal life. We must tell others this good news, just like Jesus’ disciples did after Pentecost.

Dear Lord,

Thank you so much for sending your son to be the sacrifice for our sins. Help us to share with others about your love for them so that they will have eternal life someday.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen

He Is Risen, Just As He Said by Ann Elaine Broughton

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:5 NIV).

    Every year Easter is celebrated by Christians because it commemorates the day Jesus rose from the grave. For Christians, this event means that there is life after death. Jesus said He was going to prepare a place for us. “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you” (John 14:1-2 NIV).

    Jesus appeared to Mary near the tomb after he was risen. Then He appeared to the apostles, and to more than five hundred people. (1 Corinthians 15:5) The officials wanted everyone to believe that someone stole the body and spread that rumor. (Matthew 28:13 NIV)

Now consider the fact that Jesus appeared to five hundred people. Do you think all those people could make up such a thing? I do not.

    Also, consider the fact that all of the apostles were martyred. Would someone honestly die for a lie? I don’t think so. They knew what they saw was real. They knew that Jesus had risen from the dead. They touched his hands where the nails had pierced and his side. They were willing to die for the cause of Christ because they were eyewitnesses.

    Afterward when the apostles received the Holy Spirit and performed miracles, there was further proof of something extraordinary that had happened. Jesus promised the disciples that a counselor would be given to them. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth” (John 14:16-17 NIV). This is the hope we have from the risen Lord; eternal life and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

    If you are a Christian, you are a disciple of Christ. You have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus’ death for their sins and about His resurrection so that they will have eternal life. You are to be His voice and caring hands. So I would urge you to do just that.

Dear Lord,

Help us not to be afraid to tell others about your redeeming love, and how you died so that their sins could be forgiven. Let us share the good news that they can have eternal life also.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen