THE RESURRECTION

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, marking a message of hope, victory over death, and new life.

The number one truth is this…Jesus Christ came on a rescue mission to save sinners! He was sent by His Father to save us all from this sin-stained world that only offers pain and suffering.

According to John 10:10, the thief does not come except to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

The resurrection was foretold by the prophets as well as by Jesus Himself. His death was no accident or murder to be solved. In fact, as the Scriptures foretold, He had to suffer and rise again.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days ride again. ---Mark 8:31

There is much evidence in the Gospels that validate and support this.

Let’s begin with Matthew 28: 1 – 9

Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb.

And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.

His countenance was like lightning, and his clothing as white as snow.

And the guards shook for fear of him, and became like dead men.

But the angel answered and said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified.

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

And go quickly and tell His disciple that He is risen from the dead, and indeed He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him. Behold, I have told you.”

So they went out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to bring His disciples word.

And as they went to tell His disciple, behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”

Mark 16: 1 – 6

Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him.

Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.

And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”

But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away---for it was very large.

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.

Luke 24: 1 – 8

Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, hey, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared.

But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb.

Then they went in and did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

And it happened, as they were greatly perplexed about this, that behold, two men stood by them in shining garments.

Then, as they were afraid and bowed their faces to the earth, they said to “Why do you seek the living among the dead?

He is not here, but is risen! Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee, saying, "The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again."

John 20: 1 – 9

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalen went to the tomb early, white it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb.

Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”

Peter therefore went out, and the other disciple, and were going to the tomb.

So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first.

And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in.

Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.

Then the other disciple, who came to the tomb first, went in also; and he saw and believed.

For as yet they did not know the Scripture, that He must rise again from the dead.

If you still need more evidence about His resurrection, please read this book, written by Rice Brooks, entitled:

MAN MYTH MESSIAH.

Dear reader, Jesus Christ is alive and well; and He wants to be your Lord and Savior! If I still have unbelievers reading this, please read the following books written by two former atheists, who now are Jesus followers, after their in-depth research!

Cold-Case Christianity – J. Warner Wallace – A homicide detective who investigates the claims of the four Gospels.

The Case For Christ – Lee Strobel – A journalist’s personal investigation for the evidence for Jesus.

*All Biblical references come from the New King James Bible.

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!

First Corinthians 15:7