He is Risen!

HE IS RISEN!

Christianity IS different than the other world religions. Every other religion has a prophet or teacher that has directed the way to god or to peace with the universe.  That prophet or teacher died.

In Christianity, Jesus declared He is God, 

and he rose from the dead to prove it.

I was an atheist studying chemistry at university when I came face to face with this declaration.  I thought the Bible had been written hundreds of years after his life and death.  I thought all the miracles recorded were just myth.  What I didn't know changed my life. 

The New Testament was written within a generation of Jesus death and resurrection.  Hundreds of people saw Jesus alive and well after His crucifixion. Most of those who contributed to the New Testament died FOR the conviction that Jesus had risen from the dead and appeared to them.   I don't know about you, but I would not be willing to face jail time for something I knew was a lie, let alone face a painful death.  Yet, that is what these disciples faced. So, were they lying and willing to die for a lie, or were they telling the truth?

As easy way for Jesus' opponents to stop Christianity in its tracks would have been to produce the dead body of Jesus.  That didn't happen, because they didn't have it. If the disciples had stolen Jesus' body as their opponents claimed, why would they spend their lives facing extreme opposition and death -- for a lie?

If that isn't enough, then look at how the disciples changed.  When Jesus was arrested, His followers all scattered.  One of the disciples, Peter, denied three times to a servant girl that he didn't even know Jesus.  After Jesus' death on the cross, these men were hiding, afraid that they were next for the cross.  Then they meet the risen Christ and their fear was gone.  They brought the message of the resurrection to all the known world in their generation!  Transformation that begs an explanation -- I accept their explanation -- Jesus Christ is risen from the dead!  He has conquered death, and offers life to those who come to Him. He has transformed my life.  He is real and does live in the hearts of those who have died to themselves and are living for Him!

Take some time to think through this reality, and respond to it.

Happy Easter -- He is Risen!