You killed Him, God Raised Him, we've seen Him - say you're sorry!


My spiritual awakening several years ago had me attending a class called STARTING POINT at Northridge Church.  In it, we watched well-known preacher, Andy Stanley, as he led us through the course.

One thing that really stuck with me was when he talked about why he believed in Jesus.

Sure, like many of us, he’d been to Sunday school as a child.  He knew the Bible stories and had heard the tales about Jesus – but his real deep faith came from contemplating the following:

  • After Jesus was arrested his disciples scattered
  • Peter, who had pledged to stand by him, DID (as Jesus predicted) end up denying that he even knew Jesus
  • Those who had followed Him for years were stunned when He was crucified.  They had thought He would be King.
  • They mourned His death
  • They hid in the “upper room” because they were being sought by the Jewish religious leaders and feared for their lives.

…but then SOMETHING happened.  Something that caused these men who had been hiding to begin boldly speaking about Jesus. 

And when they did, it wasn’t His teachings they focused on, or the many miracles he’d performed.  It was that after he had been beaten, crucified, died and then buried in a tomb – He’d come back to life.  They’d seen Him!  They'd eated with Him! He was no ghostly apparition but the living, breathing Jesus.  And now it was time to repent, and believe!

THAT truth was so incredible they HAD to tell people about it.  THAT truth was so magnificent that THEY COULDN’T SHUT UP ABOUT IT!

Even when they were beaten.

Even when they were imprisoned.

Even when they were facing death, and murdered for doing so…

These once frightened and intimidated men WOULD NOT STOP TALKING ABOUT A RISEN JESUS!

Today, as we celebrate Easter, it’s not easter eggs or baskets, new outfits, fancy meals, or even time with the family that matters.  It’s the fact that the TOMB WAS EMPTY!  Jesus has risen!  Hallelujah!

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