 |
| MORE THAN A GHOST |
| The best proof that Jesus is alive. |
| "You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead. We are witness of this." 3:15 |
| "He looks as if he's seen a ghost!" What image comes to mind when you hear that? A face drained of blood, a trembling jaw, pasty skin and thin lips, a look of terror. Seeing a ghost doesn't make a person stronger and more confident. The witness is usually reluctant to talk about the experience. Self-doubt attacks in waves: Was it real? Maybe I was hallucinating . . . it was so dark and eerie. A Convincing Change When Jesus showed up after his death, his disciples went through a did-we-see-a-ghost? phase, complete with terror, disbelief, and wild rumors. But it didn't last long. In 40 days Jesus made enough undeniable appearances to convince each of his disciples - even skeptical Thomas - that he had indeed overthrown death. As Acts shows, the disciples began acting the opposite of people who think they've seen a ghost. Rather, they acted like people who had just witnessed the most astounding event in all history. They couldn't wait to tell the world about it. Exuberance, not fear, lit up the disciples' faces. In the streets of Jerusalem and in the temple, to anyone who would listen, they cried out the news that couldn't be true, but was. "Jesus is alive! The man who died has come back - he's the Missiah we've been waiting for!" If you're ever temped to doubt Jesus' resurrection, take a sober look at his changed followers in Acts. Consider Peter, for instance. He had cowered in the shadows at the trial scene, trying to look inconspicuous. Out of fear of arrest, he had even cursed and denied knowing Jesus. Could this be the same man, standing before the most |