Acts 24:20-21

New King James Version

Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council,  unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.

For Encouragement

The resurrection will always get you in trouble because it is the one thing no religion has ever and can never claim concerning their leader. You can visit the tomb of every religious leader and find them sealed and containing their bones, except for Christ. The empty tomb is exclusive to our Lord Jesus Christ and will remain so until His return. Why?

Jesus rose from the dead, and the empty tomb is God’s evidence of the resurrection to the world (Matt 28:6). His disciples testified to His post-resurrection appearances and supported their claims with their lives. Pentecost upholds the veracity of His ascension and exaltation to the right hand of God (Acts 2:1-4). Jesus’ disciples worldwide have exhibited the power He promised them through the Holy Spirit (1:8). These have all happened and been verified. Who then can question the veracity of these truths?

The Jews knew of all these events and their truth, but they just couldn’t rise above their pride., Saul of Tarsus’ Damascus Road conversion shocked them to the core (9:1-19), so they sought his life with vengeance. Ananias, the high priest, and the elders who traveled to Caesarea to prosecute Paul before Governor Felix knew the truth (24:1-9).

So, why did the Jews fight so hard to discredit the Christian witness?

Traditions die hard. Its adherents fear the truth that reveals their falsehood. It has been their life and all they know and have believed, and they will die defending it. Besides, it was a defense of their honor, and they fought for it. Finally, the god of this age had closed their eyes to the truth of the Messiah (2 Cor. 4:4), and their allegiance had to remain unshakeable. What a tragedy!

Unfortunately, the trend remains the same today. Every religion accepts the truths of Christianity. What they cannot affirm is His deity and authority over their lives. So, they respect Jesus as a good man and a prophet. However, Jesus is the only Creator God, unequaled in power and glory—the living God, who is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, and Immutable (Col. 2:9).

Do not be like the Jewish authorities and forsake the salvation only Christ gives to all who believe in Him, or like the Roman Governors who sat in judgment of Christ, heard the truth, but walked away from it.

Instead, take the confession highway the Roman Centurion at the foot of the cross took, and the humility of the dying criminal on the cross and receive eternal life for your soul. Your greatest regret will be in hell if you walk away now; it will be too late to change your mind then.

Please read Jesus’ after-death story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31. Listen to the concern of the rich man from hell for his brothers on earth and be advised. (Acts 17: 30; 4:12; Rom. 10:9-10, 13).

But for the believer, Jesus’ resurrection is your unshakeable evidence of your resurrection and life in glory (1 Cor. 15:12-19). Rejoice and praise Him.

Shalom.

 Pray with Me

Father, thank you for the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ, the Author of Life. My faith is anchored in this truth for my eternal dwelling with you in glory. Help those still struggling with the resurrection so they might repent, believe, and be saved today in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen