Every person must answer this question. The crowd cannot answer it for you. You cannot abstain or opt out from answering ... you can delay, but eventually every person on planet earth will have to answer this question.  

There’s really only 4 answers that you can give:

Answer 1: “Jesus was a legend. It’s all made up. He never really was.”  

A very small minority today believe this one. Intellectually you cannot hold this position. Why? Because there’s more historical proof of the existence of Jesus Christ than of any other person in human history.

Answer 2: “Jesus was a liar. He deceived people into thinking He was someone He was not. He was a good teacher, a good person who did good things, but He was not God in the flesh.”

This position is not even an option. Why? Because He claimed to be God, and if He wasn’t then He was a liar, and good people don’t go around living a lie. It wasn’t a little white lie if He was lying, He would have had to be a pathological, habitual deceiver. And people can see right through that kind of liar.

Answer 3: “Jesus was a lunatic. He was off in the head. Maybe sincere, but crazy...mentally deranged.”

But again, read the words of Jesus, and see how the people marvelled. They said, where does He get His wisdom. The most brilliant minds have studied His words for centuries and have only scratched the surface at the depth of His wisdom!

And so, if he was not a legend, liar, or lunatic, then there’s only 1 other conclusion you can make ...

Answer 4: “Jesus is LORD.”

Peter got it right! Jesus was the long awaited, predicted Messiah.

In Matthew chapter 16 versus 13 to 18 it says, when Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?"  Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."  Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

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Our Seasons can be represented by colours, our emotions can be represented by colours, and our personalities can be represented by colours … so too the story of EASTER can be represented by colours. Let’s look at the story of EASTER in a fresh way and discover the amazing truth behind those colours.

GOLD – the colour of Royalty

Gold represents where Jesus came from and who Jesus is. Gold metal is chemically very stable. It does not readily combine with other substances and, therefore, does not corrode or tarnish. Because of this property, it is found in nature almost always as pure gold. This is referred to as "native gold".

In the Christmas story the very first gift the three Wisemen brought to the Baby Jesus was Gold – because Gold was a sign of royalty & of deity - it represented the very best.

The Bible encourages us to never forget that Jesus Christ was a man born into King David's family and that he was raised from the dead. Jesus was God who became man. People have argued for years over the deity of Jesus Christ. Yet it’s hard to get around the facts: his miracles, his message and ultimately his resurrection all point to the truth that Jesus is God.

The Gospel of John (Chapter 3: 16-16) again tells us … “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it”.

RED – the colour of Sacrifice

In the French Revolution the red flag became the symbol of a revolution. Red – also symbolizes passion and sacrifice.

In the Bible it describes Jesus as "The Lion & the Lamb". Jesus is symbolized as two different kinds of creatures. The LION speaks of Jesus as the KING. The lion is called the king of the jungle. Jesus is King of Kings. On the other hand, Jesus is also pictured as a lamb. In ancient times lambs were used as sacrifices. A young, innocent lamb was brought before God and killed. It was not a pretty picture but it was realistic.

Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for the debt our sin required. Jesus said it this way in Matthew 26:28 – “this is my blood … poured out to forgive the sins of the world”.

Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ hung on a cross, bled and died for a purpose: that purpose was to bring us forgiveness of sins and the destruction of curses so we could enjoy a blessed life on earth today and tomorrow & also an eternal life with Him after death.

BROWN - the colour of the Tomb

It is important to talk about Jesus being buried - because it proves Jesus died! It was a real death and it was final. When we think of something dying we thing of it being finished, over & done. It isn’t coming back.

A small group of followers took Jesus’ body from the cross, quickly wrapped it in a burial cloth and then laid the body in a borrowed tomb close to the site of the crucifixion. They closed the tomb and walked away. Later Roman guards were posted in front of the tomb to make sure nothing would happen to the body.

The grave proves Jesus died. The grave proves it was finished. He had truly died for the sin and wrong of the entire world. Remember, those were his last words on the cross - it is finished!

WHITE - the colour of Resurrection

White projects purity, cleanliness and wholeness. Doctors don white coats, brides traditionally were white gowns and a white picket fence surrounds a safe and happy home.

White is a great colour to represent Resurrection. The greatest truth of Easter is that Jesus rose from the dead. Just before the sun rose that first Easter morning the earth shook, the stone covering the entrance to the tomb rolled away and Jesus walked out of the grave ALIVE! He had risen from the dead - resurrected. He came back to life proving that He was God; Proving that death had no power over Him. And when He walked out of that tomb, it changed everything!

GREEN – the colour of Decision

In auto racing, a green flag signals the start or resumption of a race.

You can believe all the facts of Easter - you can believe that Jesus lived, died, was buried and rose again. But until you make it personal - until you accept it - do something with it - it will do you little good.

When we think of green we thing of new life; until you accept the truth of Easter and the resurrection and then do something with that truth - Easter will be nothing more than a candy-filled, egg-hunting Sunday.

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There can be no denying the pure power of the Gospel. This story below by Joshua Harris is another illustration of why Jesus is the name above every other name!

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features, except for the one wall covered with small index card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files…had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "People I Have Liked". I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one. And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was.

This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalogue system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn’t match. A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content.

Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed". The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read", "Lies I Have Told", "Comfort I Have Given", "Jokes I Have Laughed At". Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I’ve Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn’t laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger", "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents". … Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature. … When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts", I felt a chill run through my body.

I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded. An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn’t matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it. Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. 

   

And then I saw another file. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With". The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand. And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that the hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus. I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn’t bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one? Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn’t anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn’t say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card. "No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn’t be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood. He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished." 

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