Easter - 4-24-11

Jesus lived 33 years, had a 3-year ministry in which He performed miracles, healed the blind, deaf, and diseased, cast out demons, spoke to the weather, claimed to be God, forgave sin, accepted worship, and took names upon himself that belong to God. He predicted His torture and death and resurrection, endured beatings and crucifixion, and was placed in a guarded tomb so that no one would be able to steal His body.

On the third day after Jesus’ death, two women came to visit the tomb, but the stone was rolled away and Jesus was not there. The guards were stunned to see the angel that stood in Jesus’ place, claiming that Jesus had risen from the dead—the first exclamation of news that would rock the world for ages to come.

People have been looking for Jesus’ body for 2,000 years. If anyone could find it, then Christianity would be finished. His rising from the dead is the foundation of our whole faith! For 40 days, the resurrected Jesus showed Himself to key people to prove that He was the Son of God, alive and real, before He ascended back into heaven. These 40 days had an astounding impact on the world. The appearances of the risen Jesus solidified the faith of those who would carry the torch of faith into the future.