He Lives

In my sermon on October 2, we conclude that love motivates and compels Franciszek Gajowniczek, a Polish Jew to tell people about Maximilian Kolbe, his redeemer in the Auschwitz camp, as long as he has breath in his lungs. Our Lord is right to point out that (Jn. 15:13): Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Thank God, Jesus Christ not only died but have resurrected for us! I do believe that it is the reason and drive behind Kolbe’s martyrdom as well as other similar sacrifices by faithful believers in Christ. As Christians, we all look forward to the Great Day when we shall meet our loved ones and friends in our heavenly home and become resurrected after Christ's likeness. This is also the backbone for the answer by Alfred H. Ackley (an author and composer 1887-1960) when he was questioned by a student as to why we should worship a dead Jew. Ackley firmly replied, "He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.” The scriptural evidence, Ackley's own heart and the testimony of history matched the glorious experience of an innumerable cloud of witnesses that Jesus lives.

Beloved, are you still asking a similar question about our Lord's resurrection or everlasting life? The answer again lies in the Bible as God-breathed words, your own experience and our collective testimony as a holy and loving family in Christ. Should you still have some kind of hesitation, I urge you to try seeking our Lord with love and faith for then the peace and hope therefrom would show you the way. Amen.