Just Like He Said

Frank Jacobs in an article titled, Mongolia’s Forbidden Zone Is Guarding an 800-Year-Old Secret writes… When you drive north toward Ordos City in China’s Inner Mongolia province, you can’t miss the Mausoleum of Genghis Khan. The massive complex, rebuilt in the 1950s in the traditional Mongol style, houses genuine relics and is an important sanctuary for the shamanic worship of the legendary Mongol leader. But the Khan’s tomb is properly called a cenotaph—a monument to someone buried elsewhere—because it is empty.

While we can be certain his mortal remains are not there, we’re completely uncertain as to where they might be. And that’s odd. In life, he was the most powerful person on Earth. He was the Universal Ruler (“Genghis Khan”) of an empire that would eventually stretch from the Pacific Ocean into Eastern Europe, encompassing large swaths of present-day China, Russia, and the Middle East. Yet his grave is unmarked and remains undiscovered.

This is by design. Despite his exalted status, Genghis Khan retained the frugal, itinerant lifestyle of his youth, and indeed of most Mongols. So, it makes sense that he would want a humble, anonymous burial in his homeland. “Let my body die, but let my nation live,” he is supposed to have said.

In contrast, Jesus said…  “…Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” The Jews then said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will you raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word that Jesus had spoken.” (John 2:19–22)

Just like He said, Jesus was raised from the dead, and eyewitnesses testified to His resurrection. People like Mary, Simon, John and the disciples as well as more than 500 people as referenced by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” And Acts 1:3 says, “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.”

So this Sunday we gather to celebrate the good news of eternal life that is offered to us because Christ is alive and seated at the right hand of God the Father. But listen, the power of the resurrection isn’t just for victory over the grave, it also provides power for you to live your life here and now… And his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms.”  (Ephesians 1:19-20)

But this mighty power is only available to those who have trusted Christ as their Savior. Have you? Would you like resurrected power in your life? Call on Him, put your trust in Him, and be born again to a living hope on this Easter Sunday. And remember, God is always trying to take you someplace new. I love being your Pastor!

Christ is Risen!
Pastor Ray

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