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Cloud-to-ground lightning bolts are a common phenomenon—about 100 strike Earth's surface every single second—yet their power is extraordinary. Each bolt can contain up to one billion volts of electricity. That’s power, tremendous power, incredible power, almost unmeasurable power. Yet how much power did it take to hang the stars in just 1 galaxy? Stars are not scattered randomly through space, they are gathered together into vast groups known as galaxies. The Sun belongs to a galaxy called the Milky Way. Astronomers estimate there are about 100 thousand million stars in the Milky Way alone. Outside that, there are millions upon millions of other galaxies also!
THAT’S POWER, MEASURLESS POWER
Yet Jesus said He was about to do something that would be more powerful than hanging stars in galaxies, He was about to do something so powerful that it was impossible
John 10:16-18 (NIV)
16 I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. …”
only to take it up again
Who ever heard of a dead man making himself rise from the dead? How can that be, that’s impossible. What kind of power would it take to create life from death?
Do you remember the disciples wondering what kind of power he had when they said “even the wind and the waves obey Him.”
Listen to Luke’s recollection
Luke 18:31-33 (NIV)
31 Jesus took the Twelve aside and told them, “We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 He will be delivered over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him and spit on him; 33 they will flog him and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”
What was the disciples reaction to these impossible words Jesus said “only to take it up again’?
34 The disciples did not understand any of this. Its meaning was hidden from them, and they did not know what he was talking about.
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection in 4 Gospel accounts
Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-34, John 10:16-18
Luke lists seven items that we know were fulfilled at His trial and crucifixion. These seven are:
1. The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of the chief priests and scribes,
2. They will condemn Him to death,
3. And will hand Him over to the Gentiles’
4. Who will mock Him, spit upon Him,
5. Scourge Him,
6. And kill Him.
7. Three days later He will rise again.
Jesus power words ‘only to take it up again’, and then He did it. The dead will raise the dead, life from a corpse, death itself was broken, a lifeless body powerfully regains its life. Who has heard of such a thing, who can do such an impossible feat? Who can predict His death, then die and then raise Himself to life again? Jesus can, the Jesus the one who said I am the life, HE CAN. Jesus can, the one who said I am the resurrection, HE CAN. Jesus Christ can, THE ONLY Son of God who said that He was the ‘I am’. And then HE DID IT!!
WHY ARE THESE POWER WORDS FOR US TO HEAR? The Twelve didn’t understand this prediction, even though our Lord couldn’t spell it out any clearer than this, He gave great detail, He told them exactly what was going to happen to Him. “I go to Jerusalem, they will kill me , I will raise myself from the dead.
Somehow His disciples didn’t comprehend it—it just didn’t fit into their reality.
SO WHY ARE THESE POWER WORDS FOR US TO HEAR??
2 reasons
1) It proves He was God, He raised Himself. Who has heard of such a thing with man, nothing is impossible with God. It proves He was the Powerful one, the Almighty, the Creator
2) These power words also mean that His other words were true and they are for us to know, believe and trust in
Here are 5 more important powerful words of Jesus you must know, believe in, trust totally and live by completely
1] only to take it up again Jesus said and then He did it He says this too
John 3:16 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
God loves you, Jesus died for you and if you believe in Jesus you will live eternally
2] only to take it up again Jesus said and then He did it He says this too
John 14:6 (NRSV)
6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
1 Way and 1 Way Only
3] only to take it up again Jesus said and then He did it He says this too
Matthew 5: 14-15
14 “You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. 15 No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Christian, Jesus says “let your light shine, do good works, be a do gooder and God will be glorified’
4] only to take it up again Jesus said and then He did it He says this too
Matthew 6: 31-33
Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Christian, Jesus says, don’t worry, strive for the Kingdom of God, God will take of you
5] only to take it up again Jesus said and then He did it He says this too
Matthew 28:20
I am with you always
He is here, Jesus is with us, you right now
You are not alone, the risen Saviour is with you
You have purpose, the Living Christ directs you
You have worth, the post death existing Jesus loves you
You need not worry, the death defeating Lord will provide for you
The risen Christ, yes risen indeed, He walks with you always
Now those are some powerful truths you can trust in, believe in and live by. Amen
