Conviction of deep faith

“Now after the Sabbath, toward the dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went 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 and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. And for fear of him the guards trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead, and behold, he is going before you to Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you.” So they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. And behold, Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came up and took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” Matthew 28:1-10

For over 2,000 years and throughout the world, Christians have celebrated the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, through the following holidays: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. The 12 disciples who followed Jesus throughout his 3 years of earthly ministry were so convicted that after Jesus’ crucifixion, death, resurrection and ascension to heaven…these men were resolute to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world. And today, this same Good News message is still being preached and has not changed.

Chuck Colson was a part of the scandalous Nixon Administration, imprisoned for his criminal activity, became a Christian during this storm in his life, founded Prison Fellowship and The Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and wrote numerous books on the Christian life. He stated the following about the resurrection: “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren't true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world-and they couldn't keep a lie for three weeks. You're telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”

C.S. Lewis, a former atheist, who miraculously was changed into a deeply convicted Christian and apologist, details in the 16th chapter of his book, Miracles: “The New Testament writers speak as if Christ’s achievement in rising from the dead was the first event of its kind in the whole history of the universe. He is the ‘first fruits,’ the ‘pioneer of life,’ He has forced open a door that has been locked since the death of the first man. He has met, fought, and beaten the King of Death. Everything is different because He has done so.”

Lee Strobel, a former Tribune Reporter and also a former atheist reveals in his book, The Case for Easter, on page 88: “…the disciples were in the unique position to know for a fact whether Jesus had returned from the dead. They saw him, they touched him, they ate with him. They knew he wasn’t a hallucination or a legend. And knowing the truth, they were willing to die for him…the disciples didn’t merely believe in the resurrection; they knew whether it was fact or fiction. Had they known it was a lie, they would never have been willing to sacrifice their lives for it. Nobody willingly dies for something that they know is false. They proclaimed the resurrection to their deaths for one reason alone: they knew it was true.”

Do you have a deeply, convicted faith in Jesus and is He alone the One worth living for? He is Risen, just as He said!