The Real Messiah

A preacher in California once encountered a man at his office sporting long hair, a long beard, a robe belted with rope, and sandals.

“I am Jesus, and I have a message for you,” the visitor said.

The preacher replied, “You’re not Jesus, but I can try to help you.” “What do you mean? I just told you I was Jesus,” the visitor declared,

his voice rising slightly.

The preacher’s response was simple: “Show me your hands then.

I want to see the nail prints, please.”

The resurrected Jesus, even today, can show you the signs of His crucifixion.

Indeed, the resurrection proves Jesus’ claim to be the Savior of all the world. Other “messiahs” and religious leaders are long dead and buried— in some cases, their tombs are with us to this day. But Jesus is alive in heaven, and He’s returning for those who’ve trusted in Him and to judge the world.

This was also demonstrated by the lives—and martyrdom—of the original disciples, all of whom met gruesome deaths, except for John. That these men would travel to the ends of the known world, at that time, to fearlessly share their faith and accept their own end as the cost of planting the seeds of the church speaks volumes. No rational person would willingly sacrifice their life for something they know is a fraud.

The reality of the resurrection is not only the essential proof of Christian faith, it is also the force that motivates us to share that faith with others. You can confidently tell others of the hope that is within your heart, because we know that Jesus conquered death and is alive today.

Apply It:

Think of ways to share the good news that the God you worship is alive, and that by Jesus’ resurrection, those who believe in Him can have hope of life eternal as well.

Dig Deeper:

Mark 5:35–42; Luke 7:11–17; Rev. 1:17, 18

Key Bible Texts

Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25 KJV)