Neville Turley

“From that time on Jesus began to say plainly to his disciples, “I must go to Jerusalem and suffer much from the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law. I will be put to death, but three days later I will be raised to life.”  Matthew 16:21 (GNB) 

The greatest miracle of all is the resurrection of Jesus. It was the flame that set the world alight and our faith is rooted in it. Jesus often spoke about his suffering, death and resurrection.

Our Lord saw in Jonah an Old Testament representation of himself. “In the same way that the prophet Jonah was a sign for the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be a sign for the people of this day.” (Luke 11:30)

Jesus' resurrection from the dead proved he was the sign, the long-awaited Messiah. No wonder that from the outset the Jewish authorities tried to cast doubt on the resurrection by bribing the guards at the tomb to say that they had fallen asleep and that his disciples had stolen the body.

One of the soundest proofs that Jesus was raised from the dead was that the disciples were loath to accept the news of his resurrection.

They had been shattered by his death. All their hopes and aspirations had crumbled to nothing and they had scattered in disarray. They needed much convincing before they accepted the resurrection of Jesus as fact. Ultimately it needed the presence of the Saviour himself to dispel their doubts.

The Bible lists many people who encountered the risen Saviour. Their tears of mourning over his death turned to joys of ecstatic joy as they realized he had truly risen.

Thomas doubted that the other disciples had actually seen the Risen Lord. Then at a meeting of all the disciples behind locked doors, Jesus suddenly appeared.  He challenged Thomas to feel the marks on his hands and side and to stop doubting. Thomas did, and acknowledged Jesus – “My Lord and my God”. (John 20:28)

Then Jesus thought of all of us who would come after Thomas, and said, “How happy are those who believe without seeing me”. (Johan 20:29)

May belief in the Risen Christ also fill your heart with joy and happiness.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are grateful that we too can be inspired by the Holy Spirit to walk in faith with the Lord Jesus. Amen