“However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.”
-1 Peter 4:16
There is tremendous evidence of Christ’s resurrection because every single apostle who witnessed it, except for John, died a martyr. And other witnesses, as well, gave their lives, literally, in torture for their belief in the Messiah. Most of the twelve and seventy that saw Jesus after his resurrection, had the opportunity to save their lives, but there was something deeper inside of them that said, “I will go, not only to die, but hang me on the cross upside down! I don’t even care!”
Where did that power come from? It came from witnessing with their own eyes the resurrection of Jesus and the promise from Jesus that, “Like my body, your body will be like this, too. You will be given eternal life if you trust me. If you just believe in me and trust me, you will live forever.”
That changed everything for the disciples, and it changes everything for me. And it should change everything for you, too, if you have faith because faith changes everything. And the resurrection changes everything because the power of the resurrection is still resonating in the world today.
Prayer: Dear Lord, though I wasn’t there to experience your death and resurrection, I believe. It changes everything because I do. Amen.
Reflection: How has your knowledge of and faith in Christ’s death and resurrection changed your life?
