Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Matthew 12:39 "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah."
CHRIST'S RESURRECTION -- OUR PROOF: JESUS IS THE SON OF GOD
If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then there would be only one conclusion we could come to, Jesus was a fraud and everything he said was a lie, therefore He died under God's curse. Since Jesus did rise from the dead, there is also only one conclusion we can come to: Jesus truly is the Son of God. We read in Romans 1:4 "Jesus Christ our Lord ... was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." His resurrection proves that He is who He claimed to be.
Remember how, on several occasions, when His enemies demanded that Jesus give them some sign to prove that he really had been sent from God, Jesus said he would only give them the sign of the prophet Jonah, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
That may not have seemed like a very great sign to them. There was nothing for them to see at the time when Jesus told His detractors this. But it was in fact the greatest sign and proof that Jesus could give -- but they would have to wait for it. He was telling them that he would die and spend three days in the belly of the earth, then He would rise again. If Jesus could pull that off, what more powerful sign could there be that He was from God and He was telling the truth?
As we know, Jesus did rise from the dead, exactly when He said He would. What greater proof could we have that Jesus is the Messiah sent from God? Beyond a doubt, Jesus is the Son of God.
Do you have times of doubt? Do you have times when you would like some sign, some proof to know our Christian faith is real? Look to the empty tomb and the risen Christ. Listen to all the Scripture eye witnesses who testify Jesus is risen indeed. What greater proof could we ask for? Jesus is the Son of God and your only Savior. Hallelujah!