This Sunday we will celebrate the most important day of the year, not only for Christians, but for all mankind. It is Resurrection Day, the day that Jesus of Nazareth rose from the dead. Skeptics have long attempted to dismiss the resurrection as fiction, but fail to disprove the bedrock belief of all Christians, that Jesus rose from the dead and is alive today.
How can we believe in something we have not seen with our own eyes? Disciple Thomas, who was not present when The Risen Savior revealed Himself to the other apostles, addressed this issue when he said “…I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.” (John 20:25) Thomas demanded evidence that he could evaluate with his senses. “Eight days later the disciples were together again, and this time Thomas was with them. The doors were locked; but suddenly, as before, Jesus was standing among them. “Peace be with you,” he said. Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20:26-29)
LIVE BY FAITH
Jesus provided what Thomas desired, yet He tells us all that anyone who believes in Him without seeing Him is blessed! There is ample historical evidence to prove that Jesus has been raised from the dead. There is even an excellent movie relesed in theaters several years ago called “The Case For Christ” (available to stream from Pure Flix, Amazon Prime and Google Play) that presents these proofs. I rejoice with every believer who accepts Jesus because of historical and physical evidence that He is alive. Jesus said “…there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
Jesus told Thomas and everyone else in the room that he had a higher standard of belief. He expects us to believe without seeing. This applies not only to the resurrection itself, but to all promises and benefits available to us because of it. Our ability to believe without seeing, to live by faith, is the key that unlocks every door to the blessings of God. Jesus promised blessings to those who believe without seeing!
JESUS TRIUMPHED OVER THE GRAVE
This power to believe does not reside in the mind, but in the human spirit, the heart of man. It does not come from what we perceive through our senses. Romans 10:9-10 tells us “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” The word here translated saved actually means salvation, healing, health, and deliverance. Believing in the resurrection of Jesus enables us to believe in all the other promises that are a part of our salvation.
Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead, and that he is alive today? If you do, you have all the faith necessary to receive healing, deliverance, prosperity, and anything else you may need. Jesus triumphed over the grave, rose from the dead, defeated Satan, and enables us to live a life of victory. Happy Easter, HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY, JESUS IS ALIVE!
