| The night Jesus was arrested, his disciples | | | | the next forty days, he appeared to his disciples, |
| scattered. They feared for their lives. John was | | | | even a crowd up to five hundred people, and |
| the only disciple at the crucifixion. His closest | | | | other followers. |
| followers were trembling behind closed doors. | | | | After the disciples saw Jesus and heard him |
| The third day after Jesus' death Mary Magdalene | | | | speak, they transformed from fear to boldness |
| and some other women went to Jesus' tomb. | | | | and courage. Their teaching focused on the |
| The tomb was empty except for an angel. I | | | | resurrection of Christ. Acts 4:33 states with great |
| cannot imagine the thoughts that went through | | | | power the apostles continued to testify to the |
| their minds. Fear, confusion, and anger must have | | | | resurrection of the Lord Jesus and much grace |
| run through every fiber of their being. | | | | was upon them. |
| These thoughts and feelings cleared when the | | | | These witnesses not only saw but also knew the |
| angel stated he is not here; he has risen! Then | | | | truth. These followers would not die for a lie. |
| they recalled Jesus' words. During his ministry, | | | | They were willing to put their life on the line for a |
| Jesus spoke of his resurrection. In the Old | | | | resurrected Jesus. |
| Testament, Isaiah 26:19, Psalm 17:15 and Daniel | | | | What is Christianity without the resurrection? The |
| 12:2 tell of the resurrection. Jesus kept his | | | | resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our |
| promise that he would rise after three days. | | | | faith. If there is no resurrection, there is no |
| Since Jesus kept this promise, he will keep all his | | | | Christian faith. The resurrection proves beyond a |
| promises. Jesus overcame death and we will | | | | doubt that Jesus is alive. He is not a myth, an |
| overcome death. Our destiny is spending eternity | | | | imposter or an idea but real. Jesus is ruling his |
| with God. The same power that raised Christ | | | | kingdom our future home. The resurrection of |
| from the dead is available to all of us. That power | | | | Jesus is the basis for the church's witness to the |
| will raise us up spiritually. It will transform an | | | | world and more importantly, it truly establishes |
| ordinary life into an extraordinary life. | | | | Jesus as the Son of God. |
| Jesus had work to do after his resurrection. For | | | | Death is not the end-there is a future. |