At dawn on the first day of the
week the two Marys went to look at the tomb. There was a
violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and,
going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. His
appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as
snow. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I
know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is
not here; He has risen, just as He said. He has risen from
the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee."
Jesus
in truth did rise from the dead. It really
happened! His resurrection is attested by many
witnesses. The two Marys saw him shortly after they left the
tomb (Matthew 28:8-10). Two disciples walked with Him that
day on the way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32. Jesus showed Himself
to Simon Peter (Luke 24:34), and the eleven disciples saw Him on at
least three separate occasions (John 21:14). Acts 1:3 tells
us that, "After his suffering, he showed himself to these men (the
apostles) and gave many convincing proofs that He was alive.
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the
kingdom of God. On one occasion He appeared to more than 500
people (1 Corinthians 15:6)! And yet another witness was the
40th day after His resurrection. The Apostles were present
when Jesus ascended into heaven. Acts 1:9-10 tells us that
"...He was taken up before their very eyes,..." -- not
something mortal man can do.
Still another witness, and perhaps the greatest of all, is that the
Christian church quickly grew and spread because people were energized
and excited about what they knew to have happened. That would
not have occurred had it been a fabrication. They were
willing to die in the service of the truth.
Alleluia! He is risen! |
