I Am Still Alive: The Life and Times of Jesus Christ in Twenty-First-Century America

By MJ

Just imagine if the heavenly Father sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to walk and talk to us in the times we live in presently. Imagine if he was born in the greatest nation on earth, the United States of America. It is the place where citizens have the freedom to choose whatever they want or need. Yet many Americans choose not to want or need Jesus. What if Jesus in the flesh confronted the people of God’s country? This story will bring him back to life as Son of God and Son of man once more. People will see him with their own eyes, hear him with their own ears, and some will even touch him with their own hands. Would unbelievers change their minds and hearts and know that he really does exist? Probably not, many did not believe two thousand years ago even though they saw, heard, and touched him then.

The sands of time have separated his beloved from him. Some think that Jesus is just a myth, yet they believe that Bigfoot, the Abominable Snowman, and the Loch Ness Monster are factual. They say they have seen the creatures but have no genuine evidence they are real. Since the beginning of his story, history has proven that Jesus Christ is existent, and this story will confirm it once more.

Jesus is as alive today as ever and so is his message and his mission; it will never change. Obviously, the world where Jesus began his ministry is completely different than the world today. So much has transformed over the past two millennia. The first century gave us the New Testament, the twenty-first century gave us new science, new technology, new laws, and even new morals. The way we live and the way we die is completely different than it was then. There are thousands of Christian churches and thousands of more churches of other religions that have erupted. Though the world has changed over time, Jesus has not. His teachings will remain the same yesterday, today, and forevermore.

How would mankind treat him if he walked the earth once more? Would they treat him the same as they did then? Would his message and mission be altered to accommodate the times? Does evil continue to prevail on earth? So many unanswered questions. You can choose to watch or walk with him in this “Greatest Story Ever Told Once More” and find answers to these and the previous questions. This story will reveal many unexpectant answers to a lifetime of questions.

In your mind’s eye, you will see Jesus born then grow from a child into adulthood. You will go on a journey with him while he attempts to unite unbelieving hearts and minds with his in today’s modern society. You will see how he confronts foes and friends, and the many issues that have risen since he has risen. This can be done only if he were to return to us once again.

This story is one of a thousand scenarios, it is inspired by one’s imagination but has been sprinkled with words from the Holy Bible that are not. So you may need a Holy Bible by your side to help enhance some of the messages given, but it is not necessary. In any case, read on, and I think you will be surprised by the events that are about to unfold. You will experience truth combined with fantasy and enjoy a fusion of entertainment and enlightenment. We buckle up and carnival ride of life daily, but this is the big one, so pull the straps tight and prepare for a ride on the emotional rollercoaster. Hopefully, this story will be just as exciting!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jun 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639617807

Book preview

cover.jpg

I Am Still Alive

The Life and Times of Jesus Christ in Twenty-First-Century America

MJ

Copyright © 2022 by MJ

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Bible References

Proverbs 3:5–6

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path.

Genesis 3:16

To the woman, he said, I will greatly increase your pains in childbearing; with pain, you will give birth to children.

John 16:21

A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

1 Chronicles 16:31

Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, The Lord reigns!

Job 38:7

While the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.

Psalm 30:12

That my heart may sing to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

Psalm 75:11

We will give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds.

Galatians 5:19–21

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.

Philippians 2:14–16

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.

Ephesians 6:10–17

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so you can take a stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world, and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.

Mathew 1:23

The virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means, God with us.

Ephesians 1:11

In him, we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.

Romans 10:17

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.

Ecclesiastes 3:1–2

There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die…

Zechariah 9:16

The Lord their God will save them on that day as the flock of his people. They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown.

Galatians 5:24–25

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

Mathew 3:11

I baptize you in water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Mark 1:8

I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

Luke 18:16–17

But Jesus called the children to him and said, Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it.

2 Thessalonians 3:10

For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat.

Mark 11:24

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 9:31

The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days, he will rise.

Mathew 23:25–27

Woe to you, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. First, clean the inside of the cup and dish and then the outside also will be clean. You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.

Romans 12:2–3

Read it in the Bible!

Chapter 1

In the beginning of this story, a young newlywed couple is stepping off a plane and onto foreign land for the first time. Let’s name the couple Mary and Joseph. Why not? The names are just as common today as they were two thousand years ago. They left a small town in Israel and just arrived in one of the most populated cities in America, the City of Angels. Before they left their homeland, there was an event that happened that was immaculate.

It was late at night when an angel of the Lord appeared before Mary in what she thought was a dream. When she awoke, she immediately nudged her husband awake and told him in her usual soft-spoken voice, I’m pregnant.

Joseph immediately sat up, wiped his groggy eyes, and replied with astonishment, What! That’s impossible! How can that be? But we haven’t had… Joseph hesitated and decided to rephrase what he was trying to say. But we haven’t been intimate! We agreed that we wouldn’t get pregnant until the appropriate time! Have you been with another man? he asked tensely.

She hugged him and spoke softly. No, I haven’t been with another man. Now calm down, my dear. Maybe you should sit down before I fully explain the dream I had.

Joseph had by now gotten out of bed and walked to the other side of the room and back.

No, thank you, I’m good standing right here!

Mary went on to explain her dream. I was walking on a path through the greenest pasture I have ever seen. The sun was shining so brightly, enhancing all the colors that my eyes could absorb. It seemed that the sun was enhancing my soul also. I have never felt so carefree and happy! She paused as if she forgot to say something and then added seriously, Except for the day I married you, dear. They both smiled and Mary continued, The path led me to a stream of calm waters. I felt so thirsty, and it looked so refreshing. I dipped my hand in and began to take a drink when Gabriel the angel appeared from the waters. He said, ‘Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.’ I didn’t know what he meant. I was startled. Then he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.’ He said to leave our homeland and enter a foreign one before he is born. For it is there he is needed. Most importantly, he told me that the father of our baby son is… She paused for a moment, peered into her husband’s eyes. Are you sure you don’t want to sit down? she asked haltingly.

Joseph blurted, No! No! Who! Who!

Mary said frankly, Our God, the Creator.

Joseph just stood there like a statue; the classic deer in a headlight look yet somehow far deeper. He was utterly perplexed, indeed stunned by what his wife had just told him.

Mary said, I told you to sit down.

After some time had passed, his bewilderment had yet to subside, and Mary, as gentle as she was, had no choice but to reach out and slap him from his dazed and confused state.

It worked. When Joseph regained his composure and the ability to speak, he said, Jesus? How can this be? God sent his only begotten Son over two thousand years ago to be the Savior and Redeemer. Why would he return?

The young wife smiled and spoke to him with a calm voice. I don’t know, dear, but we are believers and must believe that our faith in God and time will unfold all the answers.

Nodding his head, Joseph said, "You’re right, my love, we are truly blessed."

They tightly embraced and did what came naturally to them. They both fell to their knees and praised God by praying the words of Proverbs 3:5–6.

They trusted God to be the lamp to their feet and the light for their path. The lamp illuminated a path that led them to the United States of America. The land of the free and home of the brave. Their heavenly Father wanted his children to be in a land where many nations come together as one under God.

So here they were surrounded by thousands of people in the City of Angels, USA, with no one to turn to. People passed by not giving care or concern for a young couple who obviously had nowhere to go. They immediately realized this foreign land was nothing like their homeland. They left a place where everyone gives a friendly hello and is concerned for the other’s well-being. They couldn’t understand why God would send them here, where all they had to rely on was their faith in him.

Suddenly, a person brushed by them, which knocked a paper out of the gentleman’s pocket. The couple watched it float to the sidewalk and tried to notify him but before they could, he disappeared into the crowd. Joseph picked it up and read to Mary, Farm Help Wanted.

The couple looked at each other and said with a smile, Perfect! Thank you, Lord!

The lamp led them on a path of righteousness to a farm not too far from the city. It was a large farm and ranch where they immediately acquired employment and lodging. Their feet were planted in unsure soil, but they had confidence it was soil where they could flourish. It was a place they will call home until the end of their days. Mary worked in the kitchen to help feed the one hundred or so laborers that helped with the fields and cattle. Joseph worked as a maintenance technician, he was well educated and skilled in all aspects of construction, such as electrical, plumbing, and carpentry.

As each month passed, they eagerly awaited the birth of their son.

Until one late December night, Mary woke and whispered to her husband, It has begun.

They shared a dormitory with the other workers and didn’t want to cause a commotion and wake them. Joseph helped Mary to a sheltered place by the barn, where he had prepared a soft bed of straw for her. Traditionally, their family gave birth naturally, and there was no need for ambulances or hospitals unless medical complications arose. Joseph made sure that Mary was comfortable. He knelt beside her and held her hand as she bore the pains of labor. Mary remembered what the first book of the Bible said in Genesis.

She looked up at her husband as she bore another contraction and said with a grimacing smile, Genesis chapter 3 verse 16, then she took a deep breath and quietly yelled through the contraction, is true!

Her husband said, Yes, by the look on your face, it looks like it is, sweetheart. Remember John 16:21 and it will be over soon.

She pointed up over his shoulder and said, Do you see what I see? I have never seen a star shine so brightly.

He looked up into the sparkling night sky and said, Yes, I do. That one star seems to be shining directly upon us.

At that moment, she gave one last push, and their baby boy was born. Simultaneously, a radiant light from the star began to descend toward them. The star above faded, and the radiant light manifested into a glowing angel so bright they had to shadow their eyes to look at him.

The angel hovered just feet above them and said with a voice as big as the sea yet soft as a whisper, "Behold the