Month: April 2015

Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. Luke 24:6-7 HCSB

September 11, 2001 is a date that will ever live in the minds of those who watched with horror as terrorists purposefully crashed planes into the twin tower buildings in New York City. I can remember watching the television as the second plane crashed into the second building and moments later the first building that had been hit collapsed, killing thousands of people. Some people even jumped from the burning buildings in an attempt to escape. The attack on the twin towers was all that people discussed for days.

The ladies who had gone to the tomb of Jesus to properly prepare His body for burial were surprised to find the rock that covered the opening to the tomb moved and the tomb empty. At first they did not know what to believe. Did someone steal the body of Jesus? They did not think that Jesus had risen from the dead until the men in dazzling white reminded them that Jesus had predicted that He must be betrayed to sinful men and killed. He would then rise from the dead on the third day.

Challenge: The women immediately went to tell the disciples what they had seen and heard. As believers, we should be excited to go and report to others what God has done for us. With whom will you share the Good News today?

“He is not here, but He has been resurrected! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” Luke 24:6-7 HCSB

There are many different religions in the world. Many encourage ethical and moral living. Some have concepts of eternal life. Most have a central figure that is worshipped. Only Christianity has a God who became a man, literally died for everyone in the world so they might have their sins forgiven, and was raised from the dead. No other religious leader has been raised from the dead. You can visit the tombs of other religious leaders, but only Christ’s tomb is empty. He has risen from the dead!

Resurrection is key to the Christian faith because Christ has demonstrated that, as believers, we have power over sin and will someday conquer death and receive eternal life. We know that Jesus has power over death and reigns in heaven today. The Resurrection provides the Church with purpose and meaning and helps us to have faith and trust in God with bright hope for the future.

Challenge: As believers we may have different interpretations of the Scriptures and have different beliefs regarding doctrines, but the one central belief of Christianity is that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead on the third day. Because He lives we can face tomorrow. Listen the the song “Because He Lives” as sung by the Gaither Vocal Band on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJL4TJcwDRA