SCRIPTURE: John 20:1-9
“He saw and believed.” (John 20:8)
The resurrection was too radical to fake or make up.
Why would the disciples all face torture and death for a scam?
How could you get so many people to agree to lie about Jesus’ resurrection.
It doesn’t take long, when the pressure heats up, for someone to buckle.
There was no financial or political gain, and the story only got them more problems.
The only explanation that makes sense, as I can see it, is that it happened.
They saw it and believed and nothing – not ridicule, torture or death – could change their minds.
I believe it, not because I saw it, but because I feel its truth.
Everything about Jesus, how He lived, what He said, and how He died… cries out for resurrection.
We need His message of hope and grace in our lifeless, hopeless, heartless world.
Deep inside of me, I see with eyes of faith, and I believe to!
He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way.
He lives, He lives, salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart.
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, though I have not seen You, I love You; and even though I do not see You now, I believe in You and am filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for I are receiving the end result of my faith, the salvation of my soul. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
Observation/Application
A woman saw it first. A stone had been rolled away. Wow!
She told Simon and he went saw saw but did not yet understand.
Reminds me of the garden in the beginning.
The full meaning and understanding does not take place until the stone has been rolled from our hearts so that we do see and understand all that has happened.
The other disciple saw and believed. John must have recalled the words of Christ and it all came to him. Through the gift of faith, he saw that no tomb could ever contain his risen Lord!
And through the eyes of faith the stone needs to rolled away from my heart and I need to take hold of the promises of God as He has shared in His Word. Open my eyes Lord that I too see the empty tomb and walk with my risen Saviour every day.
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive
Alive forevermore
Alive alive alive forevermore
My Jesus is alive
Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah
My Jesus is alive forevermore
Sing hallelujah, sing hallelujah
My Jesus is alive