He Is Risen: The Promise Jesus Made Plain

I’m a “straight shooter”, meaning I am pretty much going to call it like I see it and tell it like it is. Some appreciate it, some don’t like it. But its just the way I am. Jesus, on the other hand, wasn’t always direct. He often taught His lessons through Parables. Many of which, for me, take some reading and rereading to understand. But there were many times Jesus was direct. One of which led up today our celebrating Easter. You see Jesus told his disciples straight that He was going to suffer, die and then rise from the grave three days later. “From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”Matthew 16:21 There was no hidden meaning in his words. He simply let his disciples know all that was about to happen to him...what we know as the good news. The clarity of his words disturbed the disciples. They couldn’t understand the thought of Jesus’ suffering and death. If you put yourself in their shoes, you probably would have felt the same way. Peter even took Jesus aside and rebuked him, “Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”You see, in their mind, Jesus was no supposed to die. No way. Human concerns are too small to think beyond death to the reality of resurrection.But here is the truth in plain language. On that third day, God raised Jesus to life. He delivered the fatal blow to sin and death. That’s why Jesus came, so that you may have life. I dig all that!He is Risen! Be Nice, Grace Wins.