Friday, September 23, 2022
Where Change Begins
“During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3 NLT)
Have you ever seen something so incredible that you couldn’t believe your eyes? That’s how the disciples felt when they saw Jesus after His resurrection. They thought they would never see or talk to Him again. But He was alive, and He appeared to them, still carrying on His body the marks of His crucifixion. He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, outside the tomb. After that, He appeared to Simon Peter. Then He appeared to Thomas, who, up to that point, had been doubtful that Jesus was alive.
Jesus also appeared to two disciples walking on the road to Emmaus. Then He appeared again to Simon Peter by the Sea of Galilee. On another occasion, He appeared to 500 people at one time. For 40 days, Jesus was showing up here and there. He would turn up with words of encouragement for the disciples.
John wrote, “We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life” (1 John 1:1 NLT).
Before the disciples could change the world, Jesus needed to change them. The same is true for us. Before we can change the world, Jesus must change us.
If you want someone to follow Jesus, you must be a follower of Jesus yourself so you can show him or her what a living, breathing Christian looks like. Would you take voice lessons from someone who sings off key, or would you hire a fitness trainer who’s out of shape?
A Christian is a walking epistle written by God and read by people. The apostle Paul wrote, “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” (Philippians 3:17 NLT).
As I’ve often said, you’re the only Bible that some people will ever read. Be a good example.
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