How do we know that Jesus has risen from the dead? The historicity of the Resurrection accounts in the Bible is more credible than other ancient documents because of the number and accuracy of the manuscripts of the Gospels and the reliability of the authors of the Gospel. This has been confirmed by the Gospel's internal consistency and by archaeological discoveries. We have an intellectual, factual basis for believing that Jesus has risen.
However, to know the significance of His Resurrection is a matter of faith. We know by faith that Jesus' Resurrection means that death has been put to death (Heb 2:14) and that we who believe in Him live a radically new life and will be raised by Him from the dead. Our faith in the Resurrection as the greatest and central event in human history is confirmed by the lives of Christians. Many Christians were demon-possessed before their conversions, as was Mary Magdalene (see Mk 16:9). Now these people are the most free people in the world. People who were trapped in "disbelief" and "stubbornness" (Mk 16:14) are now self-assured and bold in proclaiming the risen Christ (Acts 4:13). These conversions have happened by the millions across all cultures for two thousand years.
Jesus is risen! Our changed lives proclaim: "Jesus is risen!"
| PRAYER: | Father, may my life be inexplicable apart from the resurrection of Jesus. |
| PROMISE: | "Go into the whole world and proclaim the good news to all creation." –Mk 16:15 |
| PRAISE: | Praise Jesus, "the Resurrection and the Life"! (Jn 11:25) "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?" (1 Cor 15:55) Alleluia forever! |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College