1 Minute Daily Devotions
March 16, 2008
Do You Believe He Is Risen?
"He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said." - Matthew 28:6
On the first Easter morning, a group of women went to the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus. There was no doubt in their minds Jesus was dead. They saw Him die on Friday and they even saw where He was buried. Yet, when they arrived on Easter, the tomb was empty. They were alarmed.
Can you imagine how you would feel if you took flowers to the grave of a loved one two days after the funeral, and the grave had been dug up, the casket was open, and the body was gone? Terrifying! But an angel said to them, "He is not here. He is risen." The angel reminded them that Christ preached that He would be killed and rise again. The women believed. How about you?
If Christ did not rise from the dead, He was a fraud or a loony-tune and certainly not a great prophet or teacher. Or, He did what He said He'd do--conquer death--which makes Him God.
What do you believe? All of Christianity rises and falls on the resurrection.
Comments on this Devotion
From marti mastbrook on Mar 16th:
This is what makes Christianity incapable of being clumped together with other world religions.
When we lose a loved one through death, or face death ourselves, Christ's resurrection comforts us with hope and promise.
He's alive! King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and someday, every knee will bow and every tongue will confess this truth.
From David Clinard on Mar 16th:
Not 2 days, but 3 days and 3 nights (Matt 12:40). There were 2 "sabbaths" the week that Christ was crucified. The first sabbath fell on Wednesday and was a "high" day or "special" sabbath (John 19:31), followed by the normal weekly sabbath which was every Saturday. So Jesus was in the grave from just before sundown on Wednesday, "high sabbath day" and 3 days and 3 nights later came out of the grave on Saturday at sundown, the end of the Saturday sabbath, a glorious resurrection, exactly 3 days and 3 nights later. His resurrection was then discovered early on Sunday morning when it was still dark (John 20:1). Talk to a Messianic Jew who knows Jewish sabbaths and laws and this will come to light. The Bible does not lie about 3 days and 3 nights Christ in the grave. But our traditions mingled with our lack of knowledge of these things have caused us to miss a wonderful truth!
From Haley on Mar 16th:
this is great i sooooooooooooo believe that he rose from the dead on the 3rd day!!!
From Erik on Mar 17th:
i soooooooooooooooooooooo don't believe it.
From Keith R. on Mar 17th:
The great news is that it is still true even if you don't believe it. Those who do not believe now will as soon as they are sitting in front of God being judged and feel the heat.
Those of us who do believe will finally get to live in peace, away from our sins with our Creator and our Savior.
From Jerry on Mar 17th:
There has never been a proclamation made that was ever more true than this one. At the time this statement was made salvation was ushered into the world. Those who do not believe it has that right but what if it is true? When they stand before God and hear judgment pronounced upon them it will be too late then. Believe it now and accept Christ as your savior while you have a chance.
From Becky on Mar 17th:
That's okay Erik, at one time or another most all of us were doubters. Jude 1:22 says "Be merciful to those who doubt",so we hope and pray that this can be a fairly safe place for you to discuss your feelings and thoughts. Please do not be put off though by those who might harshly judge you, because none of us that have lived on this earth are perfect except for the one true Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. Please keep your eyes on him and what he said in the scriptures and not the imperfect people that at times might disppoint you.Let me assure you that if you give Christ a chance and accept Him as your Lord and Savior that He will always be there for you in the good as well as the difficult times in life. Please decide for youself by reading the gospels Matthew, Luke, and John and Romans. Then you yourself can make an informed decision. God bless.
From Hal on Mar 18th:
Gosh, I'm just sure he just got hung on the cross and didn't die so he could hoax his resurection just to spoof the Jews.
After he snuck away he bribed the 20 or so loyal Roman historians at the time to not reveal his fraud.