“I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore,  Amen; and have the keys of Hell and of death” (Revelation 1:18). 

Jesus Christ is alive today!  He was crucified, buried, and on the third day He arose bodily from the grave.  Joseph’s new tomb, where Jesus had been buried, was left empty except for the burial garments.  Jesus quickly appeared to hundreds of people.  He appeared to Mary Magdalene and “the other Mary.”  He appeared to Peter, then to the rest of the Apostles and then in Galilee to a great gathering of over 500 Christians.  Then again James and all the apostles saw Him, and finally Paul himself saw Christ on the road to Damascus. 

   After Jesus arose from the dead, He spent 40 days among the disciples, teaching and strengthening them in the faith.  They touched His body and His pierced hands with the wounds, and were convinced!  They saw Christ eat and drink.  He taught them and explained the Scriptures.  Every doubt was removed by the evidence which the Bible calls “many infallible proofs” (Acts 1:3).  The Apostles saw Jesus ascend bodily to Heaven.   Later still, Christ appeared to John the beloved on the isle of Patmos.  The Apostle’s Creed states, “The third day he rose again from the dead”!

Consider these Important Empty Tomb Facts

   The Roman Seal was Broken:  The seal represented the full power and authority of the Roman empire.  But the seal was broken...

   The Stone was Rolled Away:  The very large, massive stone that had previously secured the tomb entrance was now removed.  The original text emphasizes just how huge it was...  “And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great” (Mark 16:4).

   The Grave clothes Remained:  The body of Jesus was gone, but His grave clothes remained in the tomb.  Jesus Christ arose from the dead and vanished!  This was noteworthy, supernatural, demonstrating the resurrection of Christ!  “Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed” (John 20:8).

The Guards Paid to Keep Silent:  The Jewish leaders immediately understood they had a problem!  So they bribed the soldiers with money, to spread the lie that these guards fell asleep.

It’s Jesus and He’s Alive!

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“Jesus saith unto her, Mary.  She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master” (John 20:16).  Through her tears she had not recognized Christ in His resurrection body, but it was the same familiar voice, the same person.  In her ecstasy she literally embraced Him.  Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father.  Go instead to my brothers and tell them.”  Jesus disappeared and Mary Magdalene ran back again to tell the good news to the disciples that Jesus was alive! She confirmed what the others had also reported.

   The One Best Way for you to Know That Jesus is Alive Today is to Accept Him as Saviour!

   Dear reader, if you want to know quickly and surely whether Jesus rose from the dead, and is the Saviour, then seek the Lord in prayer with an honest, open heart.  The Bible teaches us that, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”.  His death paid the penalty for your sins and His resurrection provides justification to all those who believe and trust in Christ.  Consider the power of the resurrection, surrender your heart to God and accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

   Why not go to God in prayer right now, and call upon Him to save your eternal soul?  “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”(Romans 10:13).

                                                         Tom Meador