A little boy born with Down syndrome attended his third-grade Sunday School class faithfully each week. As you can expect, the other children did not readily accept the boy because he seemed different.
The Sunday after Easter, their teacher brought in small boxes–one for each child. The children were told to go outside, find some symbols of new life, and put them in their containers. So the children ran wildly throughout the property looking for something to fill their boxes.
Once they returned to the classroom, they began to share their discoveries with the class. One by one they opened their boxes to show flowers, butterflies, leaves, and more. Each time the class would “ooh” and “ahh.”
Then the child with Down syndrome opened his box to reveal nothing inside. The children exclaimed, “That’s stupid! It’s not fair! He didn’t do the assignment right!”
The little boy exclaimed, “I did so do it! It’s empty…because the tomb where Jesus laid was found empty!”
Jesus left the grave behind Him. What does that mean for us? If Jesus had not risen from the dead, our faith would be foolish and fake. But He did rise from death, confirming His life and message. The resurrection of Jesus is the basis for our hope of life eternal beyond the grave and for everything we need in Him each and every day. Because He is alive, we also live in eternity and here.
After Jesus rose, His promise in John 14.16 – ‘…and I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever..’ was fulfilled.
Not only is the Spirit of God our Comforter, He is our Teacher to teach us everything and the One to bring all things to our remembrance – all things Jesus has to say to us. John 14.26.
Also, just like the first followers, we are blessed with power. “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me … unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” Acts 1.8
And, just like the disciples we can be filled with His Spirit – “And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room … (the disciples) all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with His brethren.” Acts 1.13-14 “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2.1-4
God’s triumph over death is our triumph and He planned for us to be given His Spirit to continue with His power and love to do the work He designed us to and be delivered as we need to be. Praise the Lord for His unspeakable Gift. 2 Corinthians 9.15
Share your stories with us.