Please be a Someone Else

S -"So we need someone else to join us as a witness to the resurrection." Acts 1 TS

O -This was the conclusion those closest to Jesus came to in inviting another to join them in the assignment they’d been given. The record in Acts is very clear on this. The main point of their witness was Jesus raised from the dead. The crucifixion is never the focus. In fact, when it is mentioned it is done so on the way to the reality of resurrection. Consider Paul’s understanding of salvation (Romans 10:9): "If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This particular focus and qualifier of their activity is very different from the focus and emphasis of the organized Christian religion. 

A -The conversation of the crucifixion follows, comes after, Jesus and his resurrection. The letters of the New Testament are written to those who have embraced Romans 10:9 reality. Why has this change been made? Why would we allow it to remain in our thinking, living and talking. According to the Scriptures what is the proof: 1. Jesus is God’s son? 2. Jesus is the Christ? 3. Jesus is coming again? 4. Jesus is the judge of the human race? 5. that our sins are forgiven? The answer to all the above is resurrection.  [1 Corinthians 15:17 "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins."] Jesus is eternal, resurrection, vibrant, irrepressible life. Let’s accept heaven’s focus, order and point. Jesus is inviting all who’ve met him to be a "someone else … as a witness to the resurrection."

P - God who gives us Jesus,

Thank you for sending Jesus to clarify your person and purposes. Thank you for making it possible for us to meet, know and follow him … not just to know about him but to actually know him. In that wonderful meeting, abundant, irrepressible life is always the result. Thank you for inviting us to be "someone elses" regarding his amazing person and resurrection life. 

Grateful to know and follow Jesus,

Steve