He Denied Him Three Times - Yet He Is Risen, Indeed

I received this e-mail on Easter Sunday, Resurrection Sunday.  I had been struggling with a way to write my feelings for Christ that weekend and when I read this on Monday morning, I felt that this was worth passing on.  I, however, stumble.  I denied Christ.  I hesitated.  I walked away.  I didn't want to offend anyone.  As I write this now I feel a lump in my throat and a sickening in the pit of my stomach.  I am sorry that I did not have the courage to write it then.  But I am posting it now.  What Satan meant for harm, God uses for good.  I hope that you enjoy this and find revelation or maybe comfort in the message here. 

A message to all members of ChirstianNation

He Is Risen 

"Our faith rests on the resurrection of Christ.  Without it we have no hope of redemption.  The reality of the resurrection is a historical factuality that reinforces our faith.

Evidence of the resurrection is demonstrated by the rapid spread of Christianity-advance by men who once doubted, deserted and denied Christ, yet ultimately gave and lost their lives for him.  Men usually don't die for a cause they internally know to be a lie.  The resurrection forever changed the world.  It split time in half and today, 2 billion people profess to be Christian.

The question is "what do we do with him"?  As C. S. Lewis put it:  Christ is either a liar, lunatic or Lord.  Every soul will make this decision, and in doing so wagers their eternity.

Some think they have an out by claiming our ancient scriptures are unreliable.  Some say there is no  proof of God.  Some say God is found in all religions.  Yet the core of all excuses is Christ.  Scripture rest on Christ, as he himself taught and quoted from the OT and his disciples recorded his words in the NT.  While Creation is evidence, God's character rests on his Son.  The Apostle Peter excludes false religions:

     "by the name of Jesus Christ . . . salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.  Acts 4:10, 12

You know you have the right faith when society freely and regularly uses the Lord's name when cursing.  When was the last time you heard counterfeits like "Allah", "Buddha", "Mohammed" and "Joseph Smith" used as profanity?

The spirit which ridiculed and despised Christ is at work today.  Why?  Christ never stopped ministering - He continues to work through us.  Do we stand with him or distance ourselves lest we also suffer ridicule and mockery?

To allow Jesus to be put to death by sinners is a love I cannot comprehend.  Yet I am grateful for God's love, for what love I have to offer, I do so because God loves me."

Now Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came to him.  "You also were with Jesus of Galilee," she said.

But he denied it before them all.  "I don't know what you're talking about,: he said.

Then he went out to the gateway, where another girl saw him and said to the people there, "this fellow was with Jesus of Nazareth."

He denied it again, with an oath: "I don't know the man!"

After a little while, those standing there went up to Peter and said, "Surely you are one of them, for your accent gives you away."

Then he began to call down curses on himself and he swore to them, "I don't know the man!"

Immediately a rooster crowed.  Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken:  "Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times."  And he went outside and wept bitterly.

1John 4:19  We love because He first loved us.  Thank you Lord Jesus, thank you.