He is Jesus

Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Luke 23:32 – 33

He ate with sinners. He defended women. He accepted criminals. He is Jesus.

Criminals — wrongdoers, offenders, lawbreakers, felons, thieves, robbers, terrorist, and outlaws. Each and everyone of us.

I am the criminal — deserving of death.

Then Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet, but she washed my feet with her tears ^{and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss of greeting, but} she has been kissing my feet ^{since I came in. You did not put oil on my head, but} she poured perfume on my feet.  I tell you that her many sins are forgiven, so she showed great love. But the person who is forgiven only a little will love only a little.” Luke 7:44-47

I am the women — whose sins are many. Forgiven of much and compelled to love deeply.

He is not ashamed of me. He is not intimidated by me. He is not afraid of me. He is Jesus.

He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as he said would happen. Come, see where his body was lying. Matthew 28:6

Very early in the morning on the first day of the week, the women went to the tomb, bringing the fragrant spices they had prepared. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in, they didn’t find the body of the Lord Jesus. They didn’t know what to make of this. Suddenly, two men were standing beside them in gleaming bright clothing. The women were frightened and bowed their faces toward the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He isn’t here, but has been raised. Remember what he told you while he was still in Galilee, that the Human One must be handed over to sinners, be crucified, and on the third day rise again.” Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8

He is risen from the dead! He is Jesus!

He told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and earth. Therefore go and make disciples in all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and then teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this—that I am with you always, even to the end of the world.” Luke 28:18

I am His. He is Jesus!

In many places in North Africa and the Middle East, the life, death, and resurrection, of Jesus Christ is unwelcome news. Followers of Jesus Christ face threats, harassment, imprisonment, torture, and even death.

Religious holidays, like Easter are often met by violence in places of the world where Christians are persecuted for their faith. Pray for followers of Jesus Christ in hostile and restricted areas of he world.