Do Not Be Disillusioned

by Swapna Nanda

As Good Friday draws near, believers all over the world will gather together to contemplate and meditate upon the Cross.

More than 2000 years ago, Lord Jesus accomplished the work of atonement for the whole world. Ever since then, there have been many debates, controversies surrounding the divinity, life, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Why is Lord Jesus targeted, everywhere in every century? Yet, the Truth about Him and His claims remain undiminished.

I see it this way: The moment God created the World and placed human beings for His glory and divine purpose, Satan the evil force, has always tried to blot out the Truth and fight against God. Satan has tried his best to capture human beings - the apple of God’s eye and to lead them astray. Thus he wants to disappoint, hurt, and defeat God and His purpose.

In the New Testament, with the first advent of Lord Jesus into the world, Satan was very much aware that Lord had come to defeat sin, death and open an eternal door for human beings to be saved from eternal hell and condemnation. Therefore, he did his best to foil God’s plan of Salvation. Even after Lord Jesus was crucified and buried, Satan was perhaps unaware that he is already defeated or maybe he still wanted to hang on to the battle though he is overthrown. He still does.

In Matthew 28:62-65, we come across the events just after the burial of Lord Jesus. The Pharisees wanted the tomb of Lord Jesus to be sealed and they said, “we remember that while he was still alive, that deceiver said, ‘after three days I will rise again’, So give orders for the tomb to be made secure till the third day. Otherwise his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has raised from the dead. The last deception will be worse from the first.” (NIV).

What was Satan trying to seal or hide about Jesus? Certainly it was not just His body. He was tring to hide the truth behind the empty tomb. The empty tomb implies that Jesus is indeed true to His Word and the victor. His resurrection proves that death and sin has no power over Him. Through His resurrection, Lord Jesus has been lifted up by the Father and glorified. If He had not been raised from the dead, then I don’t think we have any reason to worship Him. This is just one of His unique powers which is not found in any other gods in the eastern religions. No one has ever dared to save humanity with His own life and secondly, no one has been victorious over sin and death. He is worthy because He is God and has carried out the plan of Salvation successfully.

The devil tries to accuse Jesus as a deceiver. Jesus was accused of deceiving people. According to the Pharisees, Jesus was leading people astray from the Law, He was a blasphemer, He was a Pretender etc. etc.

They also wanted to prove wrong the claims of Jesus Christ. Let’s look also at some of Jesus’ claims: John 10:11- “I am the good Shepherd.”
John 6:35- “I am the Bread of life”
John 14:6- “I am the Truth, the Way and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me”

Firstly, Satan wanted to prove that He was a liar. He is not the Truth. He is not the Messiah and the Son of God. Through the centuries we have seen attacks upon Jesus’ divinity, his moral character and many other allegations that try to demean His Name.

Secondly, Satan wants to prove that Jesus was not the Son of God but a mere man, therefore he wanted to seal the tomb and spread false rumors about His resurrection. Satan wanted every people to overlook the fact that indeed Jesus Christ is the one and only Way to heaven. Therefore, in the present world we see so many ways, so many gods and Gurus who seem to show the way for peace and deliverance. But in fact, this is Satan’s work to blur the Truth from the world. There are many people yet to know that Jesus is the only way. Half of the world has been confused with many other gods and there are some who do not want to acknowledge the Truth because it seems “foolishness” to their intelligent, modern mind.

Thirdly, Satan wanted to show that Jesus Christ is powerless. Therefore, he used the Pharisees to seal the tomb. Resurrection is the proof that God is powerful even over death. He is Supreme. He is Sovereign. Not only that but in Ephesians 1:19-20 it says, that for those who believe this power is made available though Christ. Satan wants human mind to disbelieve that God has the power to create a new being in us and also give us a new direction and existence freed from sin and sensuality. For those who repent He is able to forgive all the sins and give them son ship. Satan makes it difficult for the present generations to believe these deeper truths about Jesus Christ.
Unfortunately, he has somewhat succeeded in convincing half of the world that believing in Jesus is foolishness, and there is no power in Him. Satan wants us to believe that “Believing” in Him is futile.

In such a context, as believers living in different parts of the world, it is mandatory for us to live such lives, that will attest us as a follower of true living God and also help break the seal which covers Jesus’ true identity till today.

Jesus has already been raised from the dead and is seated on the throne.
Therefore, Let us break the seal and make Him known.

Article submitted Wednesday, March 25, 2009 & read 661 times.

Please log in to leave your comments.

» left by Teresa^(1,672) (3 years 37 days ago.)

Hello my friend and sister from India! Very good lesson and reminder of Satan's tactics. Thank you for sharing. May it encourage many during this season and always! Blessings, Teresa

» left by Swapna Nanda from India (3 years 37 days ago.)

Teresa, Thank you for your encouraging comments. May all be blessed by reading this article. The devil is always very alert to take a foothold in our lives. Let us be ware of him.

with regards,

Swapna

» left by Brian Farrell⁽²³⁸⁾ (3 years 36 days ago.)

Hi, Swapna. My name is Brian and I am new to WWBS. I just wanted to say thanks for this article and allowing Jesus to work in and through your life the way He does. This article is a very necessary reminder for all of us to "be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet 5)" and "to put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Eph 6)." There are only two kingdoms, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. As you quoted, Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Lord Bless

» left by Swapna Nanda from India (3 years 36 days ago.)

Thank you Brian for reading this article and commenting. I am joyful and blessed by all the authors of WWBS. Thank you for quoting the scriptures and sharing your insight. May God use you to be a blessing for us in WWBS. Welcome. I will look forward to read your lessons.

with regards,

Swapna

We appreciate your comments!

6-0-2-0-5-ADSO

Most Recent