Alive!
Jesus is alive! There can be no doubt about this wonderful fact. He is as alive as the spring flowers in all their bloom. He is as alive as a young calf dancing across a field after its momma. He is as alive as a playground filled with energetic grade schoolers.
And that is good news for God. Jesus, who is both God and the Son of God, did not die on the cross to be defeated by sin and death forever. Jesus died to destroy sin and death, forever. He proved this victory and His authority by rising again on the third day, just as He predicted.
Can we know that He rose from the dead? Of course we can. The women came and witnessed the empty tomb on Sunday, as did the disciples Peter and John. Jesus spoke to Mary Magdalene outside the empty tomb. The two men on their way to Emmaus walked with Jesus and talked with Him. Jesus visited the fearful disciples and talked with them in a locked room. Thomas, who was not in that room, was later invited to feel Jesus’ nail-scarred hands and His spear-stricken side. The apostles ate with Jesus on the shores of the Sea of Tiberias. Jesus commissioned the apostles before His ascension into heaven. Jesus made a point to appear before His brother, James. Jesus even revealed Himself to over 500 brethren at once. Of course, Jesus is alive. There are ample witnesses and there is no doubt!
And that is good news for us. As surely as Jesus died and rose again, we can believe He died for our own sins. As surely as Jesus died and rose again, we can believe that He has forgiven us of all our sins. As surely as Jesus died and rose again, we can believe and be assured that we are cleansed from all our unrighteousness. As surely as Jesus died and rose again, we can believe on Him unto eternal life.
And this wonderful news of Jesus being alive is all the more wonderful because He came to die for our sins, but now He lives. We can have everlasting life by believing in Him.
“But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.” 1 Corinthians 15:20-22