The Resurrection of Jesus - Its Meaning for Us - WHAT JESUS' RESURRECTION MEANS FOR US

The resurrection of Christ gives us courage to preach.  For 2,000 years, God's enemies have used every sort of weapon to put an end to the good news-apostasy, ridicule, mob violence, bans, torture, and execution. Yet, nothing-'no weapon formed against us'-has stopped our Kingdom-preaching and disciple-making work. (Isaiah 54:17) We do not fear Satan's minions, or slaves. Jesus is with us, backing us up, just as he promised. (Matthew 28:20)  We have every reason to be fearless, for try as they may, our enemies will never silence us!

Jesus' resurrection validates all that he taught. Paul wrote that if Christ had not been raised from the dead, Christian faith and preaching work would in vain. One Bible scholar wrote:  "If Christ is not raised, . . .Christians become  pathetic dupes, taking in by colossal fraud."  Without the resurrection of Jesus, the Gospel accounts become only a sad story of a good and wise man who was put to death by his enemies. But Christ did rise, confirming the truthfulness of all that he taught, including what he said about the future.  -  Read 1 CORINTHIANS 15:14, 15, 20.

Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who exercises faith in me, even though he dies, will come to life." (John 11:25)  That stunning statement will come true without fail.  Jehovah has granted Jesus the power to restore to life not only those resurrected to spirit life in heaven but also the billions who will awaken to the prospect of everlasting life on earth. Jesus' atoning sacrifice and his resurrection mean that death will be no more.  Does that knowledge not strengthen you to endure any trial and even face death with courage?

The resurrection of Jesus gives us the assurance that earth's inhabitants will be judged according to Jehovah's loving standards.  Addressing  a group of men and women in ancient Athens, Paul said: "[God] has purposes to judge the inhabited earth in righteousness by a man whom he had appointed, and he has provided a guarantee to all men by resurrecting him from the dead." (Acts 17:31)  Yes, Jesus is the divinely appointed Judge, and we can be sue that his judgment will be fair and loving. -Read ISAIAH 11:2-4.

Next time: The Resurrection of Jesus -Its Meaning for Us - Conclusion of WHAT JESUS' RESURRECTION MEANS FOR US

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