Christ Arose!

On the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in mighty power. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).  With power from on high, they declared the wonderful works of God (Acts 2:11). Peter preached in an atmosphere saturated with the presence of God. Lifting up Jesus, Peter declared, “This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth [poured out] this, which ye now see and hear” (Acts 2:32-34). 

How did the audience “see and hear” the outpouring of the Spirit? It was through the result of the believers being filled with the Spirit. The risen Christ was seen and heard through the Spirit of Jesus filling believers with the life of Jesus. This proved that fact that Jesus Christ arose from the dead and was now alive and living in yielded believers. 

Several years ago, some dear friends of mine took a trip to China. Throughout the guided tour, they witnessed to the atheist lady guide. Finally, the guide said, “How do you know that your Jesus isn’t just some form of our Confucius?” My friend said, “Because Jesus rose again from the dead.” That was a good answer. The atheist guide then asked, “How do you know?” That was a fair question. 

Historically, many infidels have attempted to disprove the resurrection of Jesus Christ and have been converted to Jesus in the attempt. But I love how this conversation went. The guide said, “When the tour group met a a couple of weeks ago, I was somehow drawn to you two.” My friend’s wife quickly replied, “If you were drawn to us, there is nothing in us, in and of ourselves, for you to be drawn to. But Jesus lives in us, and that’s how you know He rose again.” The atheist guide paused. Then she said, “I believe you. Fifteen years ago another born again Christian was in my group. The look that was in her eyes I see in your eyes.” 

The “Jesus look” manifests when a believer is walking in the Spirit. The indwelling Spirit imparts the life of Jesus. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” becomes manifestly real as the glow of Jesus animates and shines through the yielded believer. This Jesus reflection proves that Jesus Christ arose!