In the early 1950s near the end of the Korean War, a mechanic and his wife in Palestine, Texas, were notified that their son had been killed in action. They knew it would be a matter of weeks, or even months, before his body was sent home, so they had a memorial service a few days later. Relatives and friends came from all over to pay their respects to the young soldier.
Sereval weeks later as the war was ending, a mistake was discovered. The report of the son's death was an error. A letter detailing the mistake was sent to Palestine to inform the couple that their son had not died but was alive and well and heading home.
The young soldier was unaware that a mistake had occured, and he arrived in his hometown before the letter could reach his parents. He stepped off the bus mid-afternoon and knowing his dad would be working in his garage, went straight for his shop. Seeing his father underneath a car, he said, "Dad, I'm home." The mechanic slowly wheeled out from under the car, staring at the shadow in the doorway. He slowly rose to his feet and without a word, began to touch his son's face. The father began to cry tears of joy. Overcome with gratitude and amazement, he ran from his shop and out into the town screaming, "He's alive! He's alive!"
Read one of the coolest account of Jesus in Luke 24 : 36 - 48. While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them. "Peace be with you". They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, "why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have". When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, " Do yo have anything here to eat?" They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, "This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms". Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, " This is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance and forgiveness of his sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things.
God helps them realize it's Jesus, they are amazed, as Father in today's story was.
You may never have anything like this happen to you, but wait...If you are a Christian, it has happened to you. the Bible says we are dead in our sin and Christ's power resurrects us in His life to live in freedom through Him. You are a dead person raised to walk in new life. That's exactly what baptism represents. Thank God today for His power to give you new life in Christ.
Happy 16th Birthday to Kelvin Choo
