He is risen indeed!

He is not here, but has been raised! Luke 24:6 (Net Bible)

Today is one of two days that Christians around the world have celebrated for nearly 2k years! There is an incredible amount of evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Typically, I am teaching on Easter Sunday, but this morning at our 8 AM service I am the pastor of our overflow seating area. This means that I am responsible to help welcome people and oversee everything. (translation: I'm not really doing anything!)

From my memory as I sit in the back of the overflow area "overseeing," I want to share a few of the evidences for the fact of the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

1. The fact of Jesus' death - This is important because some would say it wasn't a miracle at all but that Jesus merely "swooned." but didn't die. A Roman soldier attested to his death as he thrust his spear into his side to pierce his heart. The Bible said that water and blood flowed out indicating a breaking of the pericardium.

2. The fact of the guard - Pilate had the tomb guarded because the Jews were fearful that the disciples would attempt to steal the body and falsify a "resurrection." There were probably between 16-20 Roman guards who would be punished with death if they allowed a prisoner to get away. In fact, they would be punished severely (flogged) if they even sat down while on duty.

3. The fact of the seal - there was a seal placed on the tomb to keep robbers out. Wax was placed on either side of the tomb and one on the stone covering the grave. This wax was sealed with the governor's seal and to break it meant death.

4. The fact of the post resurrection sightings of Jesus

• Mary Magdelene, the other women, to Cleopas and the other disciple on the road to Emmaus, and many others
• 500 at one time 1 Cor 15:3-6
• He had a body – he ate fish
• He was recognizable
• He was seen my all sorts of people - Fisherman, educated men, women – at different times and different places.

In it’s[the New Testament] pages are contained six independent testimonies to the fact of the resurrection. Three are eyewitnesses: John, Peter, and Matthew. Paul, writing to the churches at an early date, refers to the resurrection in such a way that it is obvious to him and his readers that the event was well known and was accepted without question. Are these men, who helped transform the moral structure of society, consummate liars or deluded madmen? (Know Why You Believe, Paul Little, p25)

5. The fact of the stone - the stone that was placed in front of the tomb would have weighed around 1 1/2 tons. He was most certainly dead, and he was securely laid in the tomb. The angel of the Lord had to roll the stone out of the way so the disciples could see that he was gone. Christ rose through the linen wrappings and through the rock - in his body.

6. The fact of the changed lives of many people - Peter became a bold proclaimer of the resurrection in spite of heavy persecution; Paul, who was killing Christians in the name of Judaism, became a follower of Christ because of the resurrection; 3000 on the day of Pentecost.

There are a lot more things I could share, but I think you get the point. The most important thing is that Christ changed my life and he can change your life too and give you hope not only in this life, but he'll give you eternal life - free! Believe in him today! Tye out.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he gave us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 (Net Bible)