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WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THOSE WHO SAW THE RISEN JESUS?

 

WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THOSE WHO SAW THE RISEN JESUS?

Shalom. May the name of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed forever.

Today, the world commemorates one of the greatest events in history—an event that took place nearly 2,000 years ago: the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the grave.

However, there is an important lesson we must learn from the circumstances surrounding that day. Before we go deeper, let me briefly take you back so that we can lay a proper foundation. Please follow carefully to the end, because there is a powerful truth you will discover today.

A Foundation of Sacrificial Love

Two days before Jesus was crucified, He was reclining at the house of a man named Simon the leper. As He was teaching, a woman entered carrying an alabaster jar filled with pure nard—an extremely expensive perfume. She broke the jar and poured it on Jesus’ head.

Those who were present were deeply offended. They criticized the woman, saying she had wasted something of great value on something unnecessary. Their reaction reveals just how costly that perfume was.

They claimed it could have been sold for 300 denarii. In biblical times, one denarius was the wage for a full day of labor (see Matthew 20:1–15). In today’s terms, that would be equivalent to several thousand dollars—or, locally speaking, about six million shillings.

This means the woman made a tremendous sacrifice. She may have sold everything she owned simply to honor Christ with the very best she had. And in response, Jesus gave her an eternal reward—her act of love would never be forgotten.

Mark 14:3–9
“Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.”

With this foundation laid, let us move forward.

The Women Who Came to the Tomb

After Jesus died and was taken down from the cross, the Bible tells us that women who had followed Him from Galilee watched closely to see where His body was laid (Luke 23:55–56).

They returned home and prepared spices and perfumes, intending to anoint His body. However, because it was the day of Preparation for the Sabbath, they could not go immediately. Instead, they waited until early Sunday morning, after the Sabbath had ended.

Mark 16:1–3
“Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb, and they asked each other, ‘Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?’”

From a practical point of view, their mission made no sense. The body had already been in the grave for three days. The tomb had been sealed and guarded. Humanly speaking, there was no opportunity—and no permission—to do what they intended.

Normally, the perfume should have been used while Jesus was still alive, as had happened earlier at Simon’s house, or when Mary, the sister of Martha, anointed Him (John 12:3). Alternatively, spices could have been applied before burial, as Nicodemus did to honor Jesus’ body (John 19:39–40).

Yet these women did not count the cost. They prepared expensive spices for a body that had already been buried. This was an extraordinary act of love.

Love That Moves Heaven

Despite knowing the obstacles—the massive stone, the guards, and the apparent futility of their mission—they went anyway. They were fully prepared to “waste” their precious spices on what seemed like a hopeless cause.

But because of their selfless love, heaven moved ahead of them.

When they arrived at the tomb, the stone had already been rolled away. An angel of the Lord was there, waiting for them.

Mark 16:6
“You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here.”

Later, as they left the tomb, Jesus Himself appeared to them. They worshiped Him, and He entrusted them with a message for the disciples (Matthew 28:1–10).

The Lesson for Us Today

There are times when Jesus appears powerful and alive in our lives—and there are times when He seems silent, distant, or even “dead.” Yet we are called to love Him faithfully in every season, with our whole hearts and with all we have.

Some honored Him while He was alive and were rewarded. Others honored Him when all hope seemed lost—and they became the first witnesses of His resurrection.

In the same way, there may be moments when God’s work appears lifeless or unfruitful. You may feel that giving your time, strength, or resources is pointless. But in those moments, give anyway. Serve anyway. Love anyway.

Give your money. Give your energy. Give your service. Even when there seems to be no visible reward.

If you do, you will be among the first to encounter the power of the risen Christ at work again. He will trust you with a message to carry to others—because you honored Him even when everything looked hopeless.

Final Encouragement

As we celebrate the resurrection of Christ, let us remember this: the first people to see Him were three women whose love refused to give up—even when all hope appeared lost.

Gospels lived and preached through such godly devotion carry great spiritual power when we apply them to our Christian lives.

May the Lord bless you abundantly.

Please share this good news with others.

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Do Not Live by Dreams – Live by the Word of God

Introduction
In a world full of spiritual confusion and noise, many believers are eager to hear God’s voice. Unfortunately, in that search, some have come to rely heavily on dreams as their primary source of divine communication. While God can speak through dreams, Scripture teaches us that His primary and most reliable voice is found in His written Word.

1. The Longing to Hear God’s Voice

Every human heart longs to connect with its Creator — to know His will, to be warned of danger, and to be led in truth. This desire is natural, but it must be guided by the Word of God.

“My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
— John 10:27 (NIV)

The voice of the Shepherd is not hidden — it is available through His Word.

2. Not Every Dream Comes from God

It’s important to understand that not all dreams are spiritual or divine. The Bible clearly tells us that dreams can come simply from the busyness and anxieties of daily life.

“A dream comes when there are many cares…”
— Ecclesiastes 5:3a (NIV)

Dreams may reflect what preoccupies our minds — entertainment, worries, personal desires — not necessarily a message from heaven.

3. The Danger of Replacing the Word with Dreams

Some believers have shifted their focus from Scripture to dreams, interpreting every dream as if it’s a divine revelation. This is spiritually dangerous.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
— 2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

When we abandon the Bible and depend on personal dreams, we open ourselves up to deception and false guidance.

4. God’s Primary Way of Speaking is Through His Word

The Bible is the living, active, and unchanging Word of God. It is the foundation of truth and the clearest expression of His will.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”
— 2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)

Even though God sometimes spoke through dreams (e.g., to Joseph in Genesis 37 and Matthew 1), these were rare and purposeful events. In contrast, God’s Word is consistently available to all believers.

5. Jesus’ Teachings — Clear Examples of God’s Voice

Jesus directly communicated God’s will with no riddles or symbols. His Sermon on the Mount is a powerful example of how God speaks plainly:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder…’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment.”
— Matthew 5:21–22 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”
— Matthew 5:38–39 (NIV)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:43–44 (NIV)

These are not symbolic dreams — they are straightforward teachings from the mouth of God Himself.

6. Conclusion: Anchor Your Life in the Word, Not Dreams

Dreams can sometimes serve a purpose in God’s plan, but they are not the foundation of spiritual life. The Bible is. When we read, meditate on, and obey God’s Word, we are truly in tune with His voice.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
— Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

Final Word: Maranatha – The Lord is Coming!

Let us not be distracted by dreams but be rooted in the eternal truth of Scripture. Share this message with others who may be depending on unstable foundations — and point them to the solid rock of God’s Words.

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WHEN SATAN ENTERS YOU, HE PLACES A FOREIGN HEART WITHIN YOU

 

Greetings in the mighty name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Welcome as we reflect on the words of life, which are the true nourishment for our souls.

Today, let us consider an important truth about how Satan operates when he gains access to a person. In the Bible, Judas Iscariot is the first individual clearly recorded as being entered by Satan:

Luke 22:3–4
“Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus.”

As soon as Satan entered Judas, he implanted a new heart within him—a heart of betrayal that Judas himself did not naturally possess. This evil heart overpowered all love, loyalty, and reason.

John 13:1–2
“…having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus.”

When Satan plants such a heart in a person, all natural affection disappears. One no longer cares if the victim is a brother, mother, friend, or even an innocent person. That heart only seeks to betray, destroy, and kill (John 10:10). It is no longer the person’s original heart at work but the rebellious heart of Satan himself.

This is what happened to Judas. Even though Jesus loved him deeply—trusting him with the group’s finances and sharing intimate fellowship with him—Judas still turned against Him, betraying Him with a kiss (Luke 22:47–48). The psalmist foresaw this:

Psalm 41:9
“Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.”

Later, when Satan left Judas, remorse filled his soul, and he ended up taking his own life (Matthew 27:3–5). This shows that the evil heart was not truly his own; it was implanted by the devil for a season.

Similarly, in the last days, the Antichrist will be empowered by the same satanic heart, carrying out mass slaughter against all who refuse the mark of the beast:

Revelation 16:13–14
“Then I saw three impure spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are demonic spirits that perform signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.”

Even today, we see acts of unspeakable cruelty—mass killings, human sacrifices, and betrayals of loved ones. These are not simply human decisions; they are the result of people who have opened doors for Satan, allowing him to implant foreign, unfeeling hearts within them. And just like Judas, many of these people are eventually left in deep regret when Satan abandons them.

This also explains why sexual sin can reach shocking extremes—adultery, fornication, bestiality, and same-sex immorality. When the devil implants his heart in a person, they lose all sense of shame or fear of God (Romans 1:24–28). In the end, such sins only lead to ruin and bitter regret.

Remember: Judas was personally chosen by Jesus to be one of the Twelve apostles, yet he fell because of a seemingly “small” sin—stealing from the money bag (John 12:6). This should teach us that even “little sins” can give Satan a foothold (Ephesians 4:27), leading to greater destruction.

Let us take this as a warning. Salvation is not a casual thing; we must mean it with all our hearts. The enemy cannot be resisted by our own strength once we have given him a place in our lives. But if we truly abide in Christ and walk in His Spirit, we will overcome (James 4:7; Galatians 5:16).

Have you given your life to Jesus? Has He washed away your sins by His precious blood (1 John 1:7)? If not, what are you waiting for? We are living in the last days, and Satan knows his time is short:

Revelation 12:12
“…But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you! He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short.”

This is the hour to wake up from spiritual sleep (Romans 13:11–12), repent wholeheartedly, and turn to Christ. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins (Acts 2:38), and He will fill you with His Holy Spirit—the One who will guard and guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

May the Lord strengthen us all on this journey of salvation.

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The Suffering of Hell:

Is there scriptural evidence that people who die in sin will experience suffering after death?

Yes, the Bible makes it clear that those who die in sin without salvation will face eternal suffering. Let us delve into the scriptures to understand this truth.

The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31)

In Luke 16:22-25 (NIV), we read about the rich man and Lazarus. Jesus tells the story of a poor man named Lazarus, who died and was carried to Abraham’s side (a symbol of paradise), and a rich man who died and was buried. The rich man, after death, found himself in Hades (Hell), experiencing torment.

Luke 16:23-24 – “In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.'”

Here, the rich man is clearly in a place of conscious suffering and torment, yearning for relief. This parable illustrates the eternal separation between the saved and the damned, and the suffering in Hell that is beyond escape once death has occurred.

Luke 16:25 – “But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in agony.'”

The key takeaway from this is that earthly rewards or hardships cannot be exchanged after death. Those who have lived for worldly gain without regard for God’s commandments are shown to experience torment in the afterlife.

The Biblical Reality of Hell

Hell is a real and eternal place of punishment for those who reject God. It is often described as a place of torment, fire, and separation from God’s presence.

Revelation 20:14-15 (NIV) – “Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.”

This passage reveals the final judgment, where all who have rejected Christ are cast into the “lake of fire,” which is described as the “second death” (eternal separation from God). This is the final fate of those who do not accept Christ and live in sin.

Proverbs 27:20 (NIV) – “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are the eyes of man.”

Hell, according to this verse, is never full, and it continues to receive the souls of those who are eternally separated from God. The imagery of “Death and Destruction” reflects the finality of judgment, with no way out. It is a place of eternal suffering with no relief.

The Barren Womb and Hell’s Never-Ending Satisfaction (Proverbs 30:15-16)

Proverbs 30:16 (NIV) – “The grave, the barren womb, the earth that is not satisfied with water, and the fire that never says, ‘Enough!’”

Hell is described as a place that is “never satisfied.” The grave, the barren womb, and fire all symbolize emptiness that can never be filled. The suffering in hell is likened to an insatiable fire, always consuming and never ceasing.

No Second Chances After Death

The Bible is clear that once someone dies, there are no second chances for salvation. After death, the opportunity to repent is over.

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV) – “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…”

There is no purgatory or second opportunity to repent after death. Each person’s eternal fate is sealed at the moment of death, and they will face judgment based on their relationship with Christ while alive.

No Prayers from Hell (Isaiah 38:18-19)

Hell is a place of finality, and there are no prayers or intercession that can reach God from that place.

Isaiah 38:18-19 (NIV) – “For the grave cannot praise you, death cannot sing your praise; those who go down to the pit cannot hope for your faithfulness. The living, the living they praise you, as I am doing today; parents tell their children about your faithfulness.”

This passage highlights the separation between the living and the dead. Once a person enters the grave (or hell), there is no ability to praise God, and no second chance to seek His mercy. The living, while on earth, are the ones who can worship and praise God.

The Deception of Second Chances After Death

Many people have been deceived into thinking that there is hope for those who die in their sins. Some believe in the possibility of being released from torment in hell through prayers, or through someone else interceding for them. However, the Bible does not support such ideas.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 (NIV) – “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.”

Once someone dies, there is no more opportunity to repent or change their ways. The decisions made in this life are final in terms of their eternal destiny.

2 Corinthians 5:10 (NIV) – “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”

The Bible teaches that each person will be judged based on how they lived during their time on earth. There is no way to change that after death, as the judgment is final.

The Urgency of Repentance and Salvation

We are warned throughout the Scriptures that there is urgency in turning away from sin and coming to Jesus Christ for salvation. Hell is real, and its torment is eternal. Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ are the only way to escape the eternal punishment of hell.

John 14:6 (NIV) – “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”

Jesus is the only way to escape hell. He offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who repent and believe in Him. But there is no other way, and time is running out.

Acts 2:38 (NIV) – “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

Repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the Holy Spirit are essential to salvation. Jesus calls us to turn from our sinful ways, be baptized, and follow Him in obedience.

Conclusion: Avoid Hell and Follow Jesus

Hell is real and eternal, and there is no way out once someone is there. The suffering is indescribable, and there are no second chances after death. The Bible teaches that those who reject Christ will face eternal punishment in the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). However, Jesus offers hope, forgiveness, and eternal life to those who repent and trust in Him.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart (Hebrews 3:15). Turn away from sin, embrace Jesus as your Savior, and follow Him with all your heart. The consequences of rejecting Him are eternal, but through repentance and faith in Jesus, you can have eternal life with God.

May you choose life today and follow the narrow path that leads to eternal life.

John 3:36 (NIV) – “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”

May God bless you and guide you in this decision.

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