Convincing Proof

Acts 1:3 After his suffering, he showed himself to these men 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.
 
THE gospels speak very little of Jesus’ ministry after his resurrection. Matthew and Mark each give us five verses. Luke 24 and John 20 tell us more of Jesus’ many convincing proofs he is risen. We also have this form Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
   In their brevity, the scriptures confirm Jesus’ resurrection is a true resurrection of the body. Jesus pointed his disciples and later Thomas to his nail pierced hands and the wound in his side. (John 20) Jesus ate with people, fixed the disciples a breakfast and even taught the disciples where to cast their empty nets for a good catch. The Lord of Life, risen from the dead, was happy to share life with his creation. Would it be helpful to know more?  
   We always want to learn more of Jesus’ incarnation and resurrection. But we do have enough to know Jesus is alive. The most important truth of his resurrection is the power of his life-transforming salvation for our souls. This is first evident in the apostles’ lives. They would have all gone home to return to their former way of life if Jesus had remained dead. These fearful men changed completely to become faithful men who gave their lives completely to the gospel. Their faith formed a boldness no one could deny even as the ruling Jews attempted to discredit them. Acts 4:13 When the Pharisees saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished, and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
   From Jerusalem  the apostles began to enter the world. We’ll learn more as we continue in Acts. God began to do remarkable signs among the Jews and Gentiles. Churches began and grew because Jesus is alive.
   Then the gospel came to you. Because Jesus is risen the Holy Spirit has given you one powerful, eternal convincing proof: 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  This new life means you will desire in view of God’s  mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)
   The faithful Christian life is transformed from the ways of sin to the ways of God. This is a sure sign Jesus is risen. May it be to your joy you can signal to the world, “I am new because Jesus is alive!”