Yes, that’s a pretty strong statement. But I definitely believe Jesus rose from the grave with all my heart.

Why? Well, let’s look back at what was happening in that time of history. The Jews were practically slaves of Rome. They were despised and hated. But Rome allowed the temple and the worship of God to continue unless the people revolted.

Then along comes a very poor Jew who started to change the very basis of the Jewish religion. He began to stir up the people. So now the Jewish religious leaders were against this radical Jew. This Jew was Jesus Christ who had been prophesied for generations and the religious leaders should have known who He was.

His disciples realized the danger Jesus was in and pled with Him not to go back into Jerusalem. But Jesus knew that He must go to fulfill God’s will for Him.

Although Jesus had a wonderful celebration as He arrived into the city with the crowds shouting His name and waving palm branches (Palm Sunday which was last Sunday), his enemies were already looking for a way to do away with Him. That chance came on the night of the Passover when Judas betrayed Him by bringing the Romans guards to where He was.

(Note: This Friday is Passover – the same weekend as Easter! – just as it was over 2000 years ago and when we began the custom of Communion)

Now, if you were with Jesus and the feared Roman soldiers came near you, what would you do? Well I’d run! And they did and hid. Only Peter followed at a distance to see what would happen to Jesus and then out of fear betrayed him.

The next morning Jesus was crucified after a horrendous night of torture and a rushed and secret trial. The only disciple to attend this shameful event was John who stayed with Mary.

But where were the disciples? They were still hiding. Most were strong fishermen not afraid of anything yet when their master was being killed they were hiding.

Then Sunday comes on a ray of the morning sun. And the disciples found an empty tomb. Still not quite sure what happened, Jesus came to their hiding room and let them see that yes, He was not dead!! He was truly alive!

And for the next month, history accounts that He spoke to as many as 500 people, talking and eating with them. Then before He ascended into heaven He gave His disciple’s one last message: “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

At this point in time there were only a handful of believers, all Jewish but followers of the Messiah, Christ.

This time there was no fear and no hiding. These few men started preaching Christ so that today, Christ is believed all over the world.

Now, what changed these men from scared, helpless men to strong defenders and sharers of the faith? They knew that their Savior had indeed died by crucifixion and rose from the dead. That historical reality is the substance of a Christian’s hope.

May this Easter be filled with great joy of what Christ did for you: death has been abolished by His blood and we can live forever in His presence!

Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!

Manna from Heaven

If you are not sure where you will go if you died today, then know that it is only by your faith, not anything you have or haven’t done, that can save you! Please pray this prayer and if you do, I or a pastor can help you walk the path of being in Christ!

“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved!

“For with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.” Romans 10:9-10