Faith…He is risen
Matthew 28:6,7 “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”
Luke 24:34,35, 46-47 …saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.” And they told about the things that had happened on the road, and how He was known to them in the breaking of the bread. …..46 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Faith is hope, and yet more, the belief, that something longed for is going to occur. For centuries the Jewish people believed they were the chosen people of God and they would be sent a Messiah who would save them. Many believed it would be a man who would lead them from oppression, or the rule of another people—Babylonians, Romans, and so forth. I am certain they never counted on a humble, intelligent, gentle, loving, soft-spoken man who was raised with a few siblings in a quiet town to a quiet carpenter and his wife in the city of Nazareth.
So ancient Jews followed rules, mandates, yes, the Ten Commandments, but SO MANY more directions while awaiting the Messiah.
And then He comes. 
Yet only a very few were aware of His arrival. His mother knew, the man, Joseph, who was presumed to be His biological father knew, and the wise men and shepherds who came to worship Him when they spotted the star.
He grew quietly, listening and learning in the temple until God said it was time to go forth. This humble man went to Jerusalem, and had His cousin, John the Baptist, perform a full immersion baptism in the Jordan and those present saw a dove come down and hover.
Yet, this quiet man had many followers. Folks yearned to be in His presence, to listen to His teachings. Yes, He healed many, yes, He listened, yes, He taught. There must have been such gentle love and acceptance in His eyes.
After all, many other men have gained big followings, but they spoke and encouraged rebellion mostly; men such as Hitler, Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan and many, many more. They stirred one up to seek freedom from oppression and encouraged war and violence, and yet had no tolerance for any other opinions. It was their way or the highway, if one was lucky. I am sure there were times when a man was cut down for voicing an opinion that differed.
But Jesus’ followers left family, jobs, and yearned to follow, to learn, to suck up whatever He offered. He was the living water and bread, and somehow, they knew that. Not that they would have proclaimed those sentiments, but He certainly did when He told the Samaritan woman if she drank from His well, she would never thirst again.
This quiet, humble man spoke quietly to others, and yet drew them to Him. I’ve seen some good speakers, and those who hold me interested, but these folks were enthralled enough to leave their responsibilities for more time with Jesus. Wouldn’t you love to sit there at His feet now, even for a few moments, amongst that huge crowd, and just listen, just feel the love, the power of that love, the forgiveness and beauty? I can close my eyes and imagine, but I would love to have that experience.
But I have faith. I know that I will spend time with Him in heaven, and sit by His feet, and suck up knowledge and answers to all my questions, silly or not. I am so glad I know Him and have the faith to know I will see Him. My sins have been forgiven, He is with me always, and there is no real waiting. My Messiah arrived years ago. He is risen and He lives.
He saved me. He opens my eyes and ears for ‘mybellaviews.’
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