After what seemed like the greatest possible tragedy to Jesus – the Lord of glory – His horrible death on the Cross, came the greatest possible blessing. The Cross was no surprise to Jesus, as some suppose. Jesus Himself declared that His death was the very reason He came, according to John 12:27 “Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.“

Although the apostles did not believe it when the women told them the tomb was empty – and an angel told them it was so, they did not even believe Jesus’ own words. Later He appeared to them in the Upper Room and proved that He was more than a ghost. Then they saw and believed.

Paul makes a powerful statement about why the resurrection is so important. In I Corinthians 15:16-18, he said: “For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished.”

Of course, Paul was saying that the resurrection is proof that our sins are forgiven. If Christ did not rise from the dead, then He is still paying for our sins – and we do not have salvation. His resurrection proves our sins are forgiven, which gives us a sure hope of a future in Heaven with God.

Just before Christ ascended into Heaven, Paul testified that there were more than 500 believers who saw Christ at the same time (I Corinthians 15:6). Just as His resurrection is a sure event, we can have confidence that He will return for us – probably very soon.

Yes, He lives. Praise God, He is alive!

After the crucifixion of Jesus, the disciples thought all they had lived for in the past three years had come to nothing. They were disillusioned and without hope.

Then, they began hearing reports that some disciples had seen Him alive. The above verse comes from one of those appearances of Christ – when He appeared to the women that came to the tomb. It was, no doubt, the best news they had ever heard: “He is not here: for He is risen” – the angel said.

The disciples did not understand or believe it at first, but Jesus later appeared to them in the Upper Room. He rebuked them for their unbelief and then showed them the scars in His hands and feet. Their conclusion: “He is risen.”

Jesus rose from the dead for our sakes. By it we can know that our sins are forgiven. They were placed on Him on the Cross and paid for in full there. If they were not completely paid for then, Jesus would still be paying for them today and He would not have risen from the dead.

The resurrection proves He lives today and is seated at the right hand of God. Because of it, you and I can know that we shall one day live with Him in glory.

Praise God for the original day we now celebrate as Easter – but more correctly called Resurrection Day. Yes – He lives! After all, the day is about Him – not bunnies or eggs!