Resurrection Today

by Heather Tietz

He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!”

Mark 16:6

Our God conquers death.

The Umayamnon tribe of the Philippines were new believers when Bishop Roper and his wife, Mhel, came to teach them about Jesus. Their understanding of who God was and what His life and death should mean to them was small. All they had seen of Jesus were Hollywood films portraying a culture they didn’t get, portraying a death that wasn’t their doing. Then one day, God brought them understanding.

The missionary couple encouraged the Umayamnons to get rid of their idols and show their new devotion to God. The tribespeople piled the idols and set them on fire. At the same moment the worship celebration began, the grandson of the chief died.

“Were their idols punishing them? Was their new God powerless or cruel?” The missionaries comforted them, “Trust Jesus. Keep praising Him in all things. He is good. He has a good plan.” Indeed, He did! As the tribe continued to worship, the child revived! God’s power to resurrect became visual, believable, real. This new God was a part of their culture too.

God’s power to resurrect has not changed. He is capable even today to give new life to people, relationships, businesses, and health. He can do anything, anything in His perfect plan, anything He deems best.

He raised Jesus. He raises us. Trust Him.