Resurrection Of Jesus - A Problem

We come to the end of this week, taking our minds of faith back for a moment to how we began it. We were taken back to that precious, solemn moment when God the Father accepted the Presentation of Jesus, His Son in the temple, by His parents Joseph and Mary.

Then we went on to look at Paul, servant of Jesus presenting Jesus, in Spirit and in Truth to others. Paul is preaching and presenting Jesus as being risen from the dead.

Remember, we have already been given positive and reliable proof that right there in Caesarea, Paul was simply being the servant and witness of Jesus as he always was, wherever he went. We listen again to Festus, from whom we have received reliable knowledge about what is actually taking place between Paul and the religious authorities who are so vehemently accusing him.

When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Acts 25:  18 - 19

It is Paul’s unshakable faith and belief in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and his complete giving over of himself to his risen Lord and Master that have these high men of the Jews so beside themselves, they have become as servants of the devil, where Paul is concerned. We cannot but take full note of how visibly and powerfully the Living Jesus is working in the life of Paul. This testimony of Paul is not just in words, but he lives every single word of it, regardless of his life’s conditions or situation. I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2: 20. 

That Christ lives in Paul is no secret, neither does one have to dig deep or look hard, to find this truth. The Risen Jesus is present in Paul, working and showing Himself without fail. Just in this situation in Caesarea, there are many displays and evidences of Jesus working in Paul. Here are just two.

The chief priest and all the chief men of law – the Pharisees, Sadducees, Teachers, Scribes, Elders and more - are all against one man. I mean, we are speaking of the entire hierarchical body of Jewish leaders, against a servant of the Risen Lord. Think of it! They do not believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, yet they are unable to control one in whom that same Risen Jesus, lives, moves and has His being. Isn’t it true that because those power houses, could not control Paul, could not, get him to tow the line, could not get him to stop preaching and teaching about the Resurrection of Jesus, and could not scare him into denying the Resurrection of his Lord, Saviour and Master that they had to resort to the evil ways of the devil?

Can you not see how Jesus is presenting Himself to Paul and in Paul, in Almighty power, working victoriously in Paul, keeping him from falling? Don’t you observe how Jesus is presenting Himself in His servant Paul, as with His unconquerable might, He keeps Paul strong and brave, without fear to speak boldly, in the midst of such evil minds and hearts? Just observe Paul, taken prisoner, with much freedom taken from him, having people bear false testimony against him, yet still knowing the perfect peace and unmeasurable assurance of his Living Lord. Jesus is working and presenting Himself mightily, within His abiding servant.  His servant cannot but present his Lord!

Now look at the second evidence of the Risen Jesus with Paul, as He is also working outside of Paul. Note how Jesus, He who is Omniscient, Omnipresent and Omnipotent, is presenting Himself immeasurably faithful to Paul and on his behalf, working behind the scenes, even when Paul does not know what evils are being planned for him. This is what I mean. Recognizing that they just can’t stand up to this servant of Jesus, even with their full force, power and authority, these religious Jewish leaders are forced to cross the floor, as it were, and become working servants of the devil. Note how they have resorted to the way of ambush. What do they do?

They go to Festus, who is visiting in Jerusalem and make request of him, after informing him against Paul. They want Festus to summon Paul to Jerusalem. Make no mistake, Festus does have the authority and power to do such, however this is his response. But Festus answered that Paul should be kept in Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly.  Acts 25: 4. What is so pointing and amazing about his response? A lot if you ask me! First of all this request, was most wretchedly deceitful. Nowhere does it tell us that Festus knew the real, satanic details behind this reasonable request. Nowhere does it say that Festus was for Paul, and wanted to teach the high priest and his religious cohorts a valuable lesson on right and wrong. Festus is innocent and ignorant of all their plans. What are the real plans of these men of God? Listen as it has been quoted for you. We are told that the high priest and the chief men of the Jews petitioned Festus, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem – while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him. Acts 25: 3.

Does this shock you? Perhaps yes or perhaps no. But we cannot doubt the fact that this evil has reared its ugly, deadly head, all due to the unbelief in Jesus' Resurrection.  Never be deceived about this fact. Even today, many who are staunch believers in God and know about Jesus as a Person who lived and died, refuse to accept His Resurrection. They refuse to believe that Jesus is not just alive, but is living, working and presenting Himself in Being, in all His disciples, all who believe in Him being risen from the grave. To those who do believe and know this fact, testimony and witness come together in speaking and living as they present Jesus to all the world.

Like Paul, we also must affirm that Jesus is alive, for Jesus will confirm Himself in us and outside of us. We must present Jesus to all for Jesus will present Himself in us. The Living, Risen Lord must be seen in us, in every season and time of our lives. If Jesus is working and presenting Himself mightily within you, His abiding servant, then how can you not, but present your Lord!

Let us then, be ever presenting Jesus as we begin the preparation for presentation.