Did you see this story?
I recently read about a young man who went to the Middle East on an extended trip for his dad's business. The area he traveled to wasn't very open to outsiders. But he met some locals who accepted him. They said the young man was very kind to them, and that he was very helpful. They also said he was very charismatic, and some of the locals began to hang out with him.
There were two rival gangs that controlled the area. One gang was dominant. But the two gangs sometimes worked together to suppress and control the people of the region.
Some members from the lesser gang began to hang out with the young businessman. This apparently angered the leaders of the gang, who became jealous of the foreigner's growing popularity among the locals. It was discovered later that they were plotting to kill the young man because some of their members were becoming less committed to the gang's illegal agenda.
But they couldn't kill the young man because of a code that existed between the two gangs. Only the dominant gang had the authority to kill someone they considered to be a problem. And since the new foreigner wasn't on the dominant gang's radar yet, he continued living in the area, helping people in need, and managing his dad's business.
And more people began to hang out with him.
Eventually, the lesser gang had had enough. They found the young man one night, drug him to their hangout and beat him. Then they took him to the dominant gang and told them that this foreigner was causing problems in the area and needed to be taken care of.
So the leader of the top gang questioned the young man. He was a very tough and vicious man. He had killed many people as gang leader. Oddly, he was impressed with the young man as they talked. He even somewhat admired him because the young man had no fear, even in his dire situation - all alone and at the mercy of two merciless gangs. The gang leader was even somewhat intimidated by the young man, though he didn't know why.
The top dog announced to the members of both gangs that the young man should be let go because it wasn't proven that he had done anything wrong. But the members of the lesser gang relentlessly pressured him to kill the young man. The leader had a dilemma. He had a reputation and position to protect. He hadn't risen to power by being soft.
Going against his own desire, the gang leader ordered his thugs to deal with the young man. So they taunted and mocked him. And they savagely beat the young man. When they were finished, he was unrecognizable.
As they led him out into a public place, onlookers were shocked. But some cheered as the foreigner was dealt with. His friends watched from a distance, afraid for their own lives.
Then the gang killed him.
I recently read about a young man who went to the Middle East on an extended trip for his dad's business. The area he traveled to wasn't very open to outsiders. But he met some locals who accepted him. They said the young man was very kind to them, and that he was very helpful. They also said he was very charismatic, and some of the locals began to hang out with him.
There were two rival gangs that controlled the area. One gang was dominant. But the two gangs sometimes worked together to suppress and control the people of the region.
Some members from the lesser gang began to hang out with the young businessman. This apparently angered the leaders of the gang, who became jealous of the foreigner's growing popularity among the locals. It was discovered later that they were plotting to kill the young man because some of their members were becoming less committed to the gang's illegal agenda.
But they couldn't kill the young man because of a code that existed between the two gangs. Only the dominant gang had the authority to kill someone they considered to be a problem. And since the new foreigner wasn't on the dominant gang's radar yet, he continued living in the area, helping people in need, and managing his dad's business.
And more people began to hang out with him.
Eventually, the lesser gang had had enough. They found the young man one night, drug him to their hangout and beat him. Then they took him to the dominant gang and told them that this foreigner was causing problems in the area and needed to be taken care of.
So the leader of the top gang questioned the young man. He was a very tough and vicious man. He had killed many people as gang leader. Oddly, he was impressed with the young man as they talked. He even somewhat admired him because the young man had no fear, even in his dire situation - all alone and at the mercy of two merciless gangs. The gang leader was even somewhat intimidated by the young man, though he didn't know why.
The top dog announced to the members of both gangs that the young man should be let go because it wasn't proven that he had done anything wrong. But the members of the lesser gang relentlessly pressured him to kill the young man. The leader had a dilemma. He had a reputation and position to protect. He hadn't risen to power by being soft.
Going against his own desire, the gang leader ordered his thugs to deal with the young man. So they taunted and mocked him. And they savagely beat the young man. When they were finished, he was unrecognizable.
As they led him out into a public place, onlookers were shocked. But some cheered as the foreigner was dealt with. His friends watched from a distance, afraid for their own lives.
Then the gang killed him.
The young man's name was Jesus.
But His story didn't end that day.
Jesus' story continues after His death...
After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.
3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.
4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5 The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified.
6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.
7 Then go quickly and tell His disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ Now I have told you.”
8 So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell His disciples.
9 Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” He said. They came to Him, clasped His feet and worshiped Him.
10 Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid. Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see Me.” (Matthew 28)
Like Jesus, the story of all who have died will continue... at their resurrection!
Jesus said,
"Very truly I tell you, a time is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God and those who hear will live... Do not be amazed at this... all who are in their graves will hear His voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be judged." (John 5:25,28,29)
Sincerely,
Wes
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