He is Not Here
Is unbelief keeping you from finding Jesus? Are you looking for Jesus in the wrong place?
The message of the angel echoes loudly to a self-centered world looking for Jesus in the wrong place: “He is not here” (Matthew 28:6). Where will you not find Jesus? Why is there a wrong place to look for Him?
The women showed up looking for Jesus in the wrong place because they didn’t believe what He had said. He had told His followers that He would be betrayed and turned over to the Gentiles to be killed, and that He would rise again the third day. They had seen the fulfillment of all that He had predicted-except His resurrection. As far as they were concerned, it just hadn’t happened. So instead of telling His disciples that the resurrected Jesus would meet them in Galilee, they brought spices to anoint His body. Their intentions were good; it’s just that they were looking in the wrong place, and intending to do the wrong thing. Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, but their unbelief still had Him there.
Unbelief can keep a person from finding Jesus. Wise (in their own conceits) men and women are going through the Bible trying to decide if Jesus said what He is credited with having said. I wonder how people, with only human skills, can determine what is legitimate and what is not in Jesus’ life and words. After all, He is the only begotten Son of God!
But how about you? Is unbelief keeping you from finding Jesus? Are you looking for Jesus in the wrong place? In spite of “experts,” you won’t find Him unless you believe what He has said.
Romans 3:23 and 6:23 make it clear that everyone is a sinner, and the wages of sin is death-eternal separation from God. Jesus took upon himself the sins of the entire world, including your sins. But you won’t find forgiveness until you ask Him for it. He longs to give it, but the first move is up to you. You have to look for Him in the right place.
Jesus said many things, but notice these: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). He said that to the paralyzed man let down through the roof because of the crowd. When people criticized Him for such a forthright declaration, Jesus asked: “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:8,9). To make it clear He had the power to forgive sins as well as to heal, Jesus healed the paralyzed man.
Later Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Since everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23), He is calling you now. Confess and forsake your sins. Believe what He has said. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Master. You’ll be in the right place; you will find Him; and this Easter will be the best you’ve ever known.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Pentecostal Evangel.
The women showed up looking for Jesus in the wrong place because they didn’t believe what He had said. He had told His followers that He would be betrayed and turned over to the Gentiles to be killed, and that He would rise again the third day. They had seen the fulfillment of all that He had predicted-except His resurrection. As far as they were concerned, it just hadn’t happened. So instead of telling His disciples that the resurrected Jesus would meet them in Galilee, they brought spices to anoint His body. Their intentions were good; it’s just that they were looking in the wrong place, and intending to do the wrong thing. Jesus wasn’t in the tomb, but their unbelief still had Him there.
Unbelief can keep a person from finding Jesus. Wise (in their own conceits) men and women are going through the Bible trying to decide if Jesus said what He is credited with having said. I wonder how people, with only human skills, can determine what is legitimate and what is not in Jesus’ life and words. After all, He is the only begotten Son of God!
But how about you? Is unbelief keeping you from finding Jesus? Are you looking for Jesus in the wrong place? In spite of “experts,” you won’t find Him unless you believe what He has said.
Romans 3:23 and 6:23 make it clear that everyone is a sinner, and the wages of sin is death-eternal separation from God. Jesus took upon himself the sins of the entire world, including your sins. But you won’t find forgiveness until you ask Him for it. He longs to give it, but the first move is up to you. You have to look for Him in the right place.
Jesus said many things, but notice these: “Your sins are forgiven” (Mark 2:5). He said that to the paralyzed man let down through the roof because of the crowd. When people criticized Him for such a forthright declaration, Jesus asked: “Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?” (Mark 2:8,9). To make it clear He had the power to forgive sins as well as to heal, Jesus healed the paralyzed man.
Later Jesus said, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Since everyone has sinned (Romans 3:23), He is calling you now. Confess and forsake your sins. Believe what He has said. Accept Jesus as your Lord and Master. You’ll be in the right place; you will find Him; and this Easter will be the best you’ve ever known.
Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Pentecostal Evangel.
