Ron King- 2014

“Up from the grave He arose.” “He is not here, He is risen.”(Matt. 28:6) 

I can’t prove it. I didn’t see it, but I believe it. John 3:16 tells us that God loved the world so much that He sent His son to die for me. God said it. I believe it. That settles it, right?

I just have one question. Who did He come back to life for? “I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” (Matt. 26:31) “The Good Shepherd laid down his life for His sheep.” (John 10:11) He came back for His sheep, His flock. Sheep need to be together as a flock. They were scattered, but they were coming back together to wait for His return.

After the resurrection, Jesus came and appeared to many people. He showed himself to his flock and they knew His voice. Did he show himself to Pilate and say, “What do you say now?”? No, but to his flock he said “Feed my lambs.” (John 21:17) Did Jesus show himself to the soldiers who nailed him to the cross and say, “Nice try!”? No, but to his flock he said, “Take care of my sheep.” (John 21:16) Did he show himself to the crowd and say, “How do you like me now?”?

No, but to his flock he said, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17) He did not come back to the whole world, but He came back for His flock, His church, His bride, His body. God said it. I believe it. That settles it. Right? For me it’s not just a story of what happened on Easter. It is a preview of what’s ahead. Do you believe? Where do you find yourself in the Easter story?

Are you Pilate saying, “You choose,”? or, are you feeding His lambs? Are you nailing Him to the cross or are you taking care of His sheep? Are you a part of the crowd yelling, “Free Barabbas, crucify Jesus?”, or are you feeding His sheep? The Easter story is not the end, it’s a preview of what’s to come. Are you a part of the flock for whom He is coming back?