Easter is when Christians celebrate the day Christ Jesus rose from the dead three days after his crucifixion on the cross. Jesus said in Mark 9: 31 the Son of man will be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, after three days he will rise. True to his words, he arose from the dead as he promised. Our Savior lives and these are the evidence and testimonies for our joy:
Testimony of angels
All over the world, we believe that the words of angels come from God and are therefore the truth. In Luke 2: 11 Angels announced Jesus’ birth saying for you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. Therefore the angels confirmed Jesus as the Saviour of mankind. By the same pronouncement, God’s angels announced that Jesus has risen from the grave.
Matthew 28: 5-6; Mark 16: 6 say but the angel said to the women (Mary Magdalene and the other Mary), do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has risen, as he said. Come; see the place where he lay. Jesus lives forever for Revelation 1: 17-18 say fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one; I died, and behold I am alive for evermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades. We cannot approbate and reprobate on the words of angels.
Proof that Jesus died
Matthew 27: 50 says and Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Mark 15: 44-45 says and Pilate wondered if he (Jesus) was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he was already dead. And when he learned from the centurion that he was dead, he granted the body to Joseph. The tomb was heavily guarded by soldiers. In Matthew 27: 65; 28: 4 Pilate said to them, you have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can. The tomb was sealed because they did not want anyone to tamper with Jesus’ body, Matthew 27: 63-64.
Jesus’ died and his body was not stolen as some say without knowledge and understanding. Water and blood flowed from his ribs to attest to his death, John 19: 34. His bones were also not broken as was done to the others crucified with him, John 19: 36. Pilate released the lifeless body of Jesus to Joseph of Arimathea upon satisfaction that he was dead, Matthew 27: 57-60; Mark 15: 44; Luke 23: 52; John 19: 38. In the presence of the guard of soldiers, no one could have tampered with the tomb more so, on a Sabbath. Christ died, Christ rose, Christ lives, and Christ will come again!
Proof of Jesus’ resurrection
- Matthew 28: 2-4 says for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his raiment was like snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. By Jesus’ resurrection power, God’s angels will roll back the blockades to our lives and situations if we seek Christ Jesus and show interest in his affairs as Mary Magdalene did. Where were the men?
- John 21: 24 says this is the disciple (of Jesus Christ) who is bearing witness to these things, and who has written these things; and we know that his testimony is true. The author of the Gospel of John was the disciple of Christ Jesus who was a direct witness to the event and said it as it was. There is nothing more powerful than the statement of a true witness in whose presence the events occurred. Can we testify for Jesus about our personal experiences with him?
- John 20: 6-9 says then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; he saw the linen cloths lying, and the napkin, which had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths but rolled up in a piece by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and saw and believed; for as yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise from the dead. Are we running to Jesus or away from him? May we witness his power at first sight!
- He encountered doubting Thomas. John 20: 25-27 says so the other disciples told him (Thomas), we have seen the Lord. But he said to them, unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, and place my finger in the mark of the nails, and place my hand in his side, I will not believe. Eight days later, … Jesus came and stood among them, and said, peace be with you. Then he said to Thomas, put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side; do not be faithless, but believing. Thomas answered him, my Lord and my God. To the doubting Thomas, Jesus says, do not be faithless, but believing.
- Jesus ate with his disciples. Luke 24: 39; John 21: 12-14 say Jesus said to them, come and have breakfast. None of the disciples dared ask him, who are you? They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came and took the bread and gave it to them, and so with the fish. This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead. To the hungry in spirit, Jesus is calling us to a joyful banquet of peace, love and eternal life. Will we respond?
- Jesus appeared to two on the Emmaus road. Luke 24: 13-32 says in summary, while two were going to a village named Emmaus and were talking and discussing together what had happened, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. … when at the table with them, he took the bread and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them. And their eyes opened and they recognized him; and he vanished out of their sight. And they said to each other, did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the scriptures? To the confused in the journey of life, Jesus is at hand to open our knowledge and understanding of life.
- Jesus spoke with Mary at the tomb with a message for his disciples. John 20: 17 says Jesus said to her (Mary Magdalene), do not hold me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brethren and say to them, I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God. Jesus wants to send us with these messages to the world: Fear not, I am with you always; Love one another; Repent for I am coming soon!
- Jesus’s ascension was witnessed by his disciples and angels. Acts 1: 9-11 say and when he had said this, as they were looking on, he (Jesus) was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes and said, men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven. Are we ready to be lifted up with Jesus? He has promised he will.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, you died and rose from the dead in everlasting victory. We believe that by faith we shall also live with you if we seek you. Let the proof of your resurrection be the strength of the world. Touch our lives, revive our faith and belief in you, and restore us unto yourself in your name, Amen
