When we were in Kenya, everyplace the team went; we introduced ourselves and then answered different questions the children asked us. Some of the questions were how old we were, what did we do for a living how many children we have and in one instance we were asked what our favorite bible verse was.
Now I love reading the whole bible and I know it is the inspired word of God. And there are several verses that really enjoy reading. But if I had to select one or two verses that really speak to me is scripture from the 28th chapter of the Gospel of Matthew, verses 5-6.
Matthew 28:5-6 (New International Version)
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.
We don’t serve a god who is dead, who lays in the grave. We serve a risen King. Many times at different sporting events you may see a sign with the scripture reference to John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” I think that both John 3:16 and Matthew 28:5-6 need to be read together.
If we tell people that Jesus died for them (and us) we must tell them that he rose from the grave. Jesus is alive. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him.
