Is Jesus still alive?

[Cognos]

I'm talking about Jesus as presented in the various stories of the Bible: born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago, son of Joseph and Mary, preached in Galilee, died on a cross, was resurrected, ascended to heaven.

Is that Jesus still alive? If yes, where is he, and can I talk with him?

Some information: I am 46 years old, reasonably intelligent, have attended various Christian churches for about 30 years, have participated in many prayer meetings.

I have never had a conversation with Jesus, nor have I seen him or experienced him in any way.

Any suggestions for establishing the reality of his existence?

Thanks.

[jims]

I'm talking about Jesus as presented in the various stories of the Bible: born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago, son of Joseph and Mary, preached in Galilee, died on a cross, was resurrected, ascended to heaven.

Is that Jesus still alive? If yes, where is he, and can I talk with him?

Some information: I am 46 years old, reasonably intelligent, have attended various Christian churches for about 30 years, have participated in many prayer meetings.

I have never had a conversation with Jesus, nor have I seen him or experienced him in any way.

Any suggestions for establishing the reality of his existence?

Thanks.

Cognos,

Jesus is alive and he lives in heaven with the Father. This IS the Jesus who was born in bethlehem and walked on the earth 2000 years ago. When he rose from the dead he did so with a new body. This body is of the type that born again believers will receive when they are ressurected someday. Christians communicate and experience him through the Holy Spirit which lives within us. A study of Acts and Paul's epistles will give you a more thorough understanding of this.

Good luck

[Cognos]

Thank you for answering.

Actually, I'm not looking for "a more thorough understanding". I just wanted to talk to him.

Quite possibly, some will think that I'm being facetious. I'm not.

So how do I communicate with him through the Holy Spirit?

Also, now that you bring it up the Holy Spirit, did the apostles communicate with Jesus through the Holy Spirit or did they just talk to him? The question would apply to Jesus before his death and after his resurrection.

[Cynic Sage]

Thank you for answering.

Actually, I'm not looking for "a more thorough understanding". I just wanted to talk to him.

Quite possibly, some will think that I'm being facetious. I'm not.

So how do I communicate with him through the Holy Spirit?

Also, now that you bring it up the Holy Spirit, did the apostles communicate with Jesus through the Holy Spirit or did they just talk to him? The question would apply to Jesus before his death and after his resurrection.

They just talked to him.

Don't feel to bad about not talking to Jesus. Most clients in the ancient world went their entire lives without seeing their patrons.

[Cyrus of Persia]

I'm talking about Jesus as presented in the various stories of the Bible: born in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago, son of Joseph and Mary, preached in Galilee, died on a cross, was resurrected, ascended to heaven.

Is that Jesus still alive? If yes, where is he, and can I talk with him?


I think you gave the answer for that: "ascended to heaven".

You don't have to worry if you aproach to Jesus, or to God, or to Holy Spirit in your prayer. God is the same. Just talk with Him as you would talk to any person, and know that He indeed hears you. I bet that soon you start to hear His replies in your heart. But even if you don't, look at the life with open eyes and see has He heard your prayers :wink:

[Cognos]

I bet that soon you start to hear His replies in your heart.You've lost the bet. I have not heard his replies in my heart.

Is "hearing" something that is a matter of will and effort, or is something that just happens?

Since this forum is Q&A, I'll ask again, but more specifically: How do I talk to Jesus? How does he answer?

Remember, I have attempted to talk to him many times with no success.

[Cyrus of Persia]

Is "hearing" something that is a matter of will and effort, or is something that just happens?

In my case it's matter of openness: I keep myself open to the possibility that He can speak in my inner being, so it just happens sometimes.


Since this forum is Q&A, I'll ask again, but more specifically: How do I talk to Jesus? How does he answer?


I have no better methods what i already described. BTW, i don't usually speak to Jesus, nor do i expect Him to reply. I speak to Father. But it might be purely a "technical issue". God answers mostly by inner thoughts in my case. And sometimes He reminds me certain passage in the Bible.

I'm sorry to hear that you have not succeeded yet. If you pray to God, do you believe that He is listening to you?

[Cognos]

I have difficulty imagining who "He" is.If you pray to God, do you believe that He is listening to you?Many times I did believe. Eventually, though, I stopped believing.

But, I'm wondering: Do I have to believe in order for God to listen?

[Cyrus of Persia]

Good! Now we are coming closer...

I have difficulty imagining who "He" is.


If you speak to your friend, you know who he is. If you speak to a tree, you know who it is. If you speak to a cloud, you know what it is.

It does not matter how do you imagine God, because if He exists, then He hears you. All you need is stop throwing your prayers into air, but consider the idea that the reciever can be in other side of the line.


Many times I did believe. Eventually, though, I stopped believing.


Yes, here is where i think the dog is buried. If you even don't believe that God hears you, i bet you believe even less that He can reply to you.


But, I'm wondering: Do I have to believe in order for God to listen?

I believe that God is great enough to speak to people who don't even believe in Him. But believing will help YOU to be open for that possibility. For example you can phone to someone and say: "Hey, you know i'm in trouble and i don't know what to do. Anyway, bye", and you drop your phone without giving any chance for the other person to speak up.


I KNOW that my replies are too simplistical and probably not helping. But i really cannot make them more complicated. What you need is to decide:

1. Does God exist?
2. If He exist, is He willing to speak to us and help us in the time of need?
3. If He is willing to speak, and care, do i believe that He speaks to me, and cares for me.
4. If the answer is "yes", then you might give another try to prayers, but this time with whole different look at them. You stop throwing them out as a "pious exercise", and start to "speak" with God.

Best wishes.

[Cognos]

Thanks for your suggestions. :smile:

[Vitae]

Thanks for your suggestions. :smile:

I'd like to add a little bit here. I'll try and help you out with what I believe. I have difficulty with alot of modern churches and how they portray god. I don't really think the clouds will part, and a bright shaft of light will hit you, and a booming voice will say " HEY, YOU, LISTEN YOU!!!" Obviously I don't think most people accept this either. But heres how it works for me.

I pray, I try to pray every day, for someone, for friends, for anyone that might need help. I might say a quick prayer on the way to class, or a long one when im going to bed at night. There have been times I have layed in bed, for an hour or more, crying, talking to god. I try to think of him as my best friend. I try to think of her as my ultimate mom. When I talk to god, I talk about my day, what was good, the bad, what I wish could happen, usualy how I know that won't happen. I pray for my friends, for him to guide them, for him to touch them and be with them, protect them. I pray for my ex-girlfriend, whom I still love, and want the best for. I pray that he would be with her, guide her, help her in her ministry and services, that he would be there with her and let her know what he needs her for.

Lastly I pray for myself, for guidance, for wisdom and knowledge that I may seek him and come closer to him. That I might see his works and his beauty. To protect me and be with me, to guide me, and help me be a better person.

In all of this (I apologize for the long post) I will hear a voice, someone talking to me, and while it sounds very much like me, it's only for a couple seconds. But I know it's him, because the idea's, they arn't mine, the insights, they arn't mine, it's like he touches me, but for a second, and though he doesn't do the talking, I hear the thought as I process it.

Im not sure if that made any sense, but spend time just listening. If im really in trouble, i'll put some quiet music on, kneel, read a few verses, and just talk to him, the whole time just listening.

Im not sure any of that will help, but it takes practice. Its taken some crazy things for me to be able to listen to him, and though I question how he exists, how he interacts, and the church, I know he's there. I just have to build my faith, build my actions, and build my beliefs stronger in him.

-vitae