Undisputed — Over Death - Thursday
Today’s Verse
Luke 24:5b-6a
Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! (NIV)
The entirety of the Christian faith stands firmly on the foundational truth that Jesus died AND was resurrected. In the first chapter of the book of Acts, we see the apostles regrouping in order to fulfill the mission Jesus had entrusted to them. They were committed not only to telling the world about what Jesus had said and the miraculous things He had done, but they specifically emphasized that they were “witnesses of Jesus’ resurrection” (Acts 1:22). It was that fact that would make everything else credible.
Christianity is a resurrection faith. Everything rises and falls on the truth of the empty tomb. So it stands to reason that Satan has and will continue to do anything possible to attack that truth and sow seeds of doubt in its place. These lies started within hours after the tomb was discovered empty. The Bible says in Matthew 28 that the Roman guards were instructed to spread the rumor that the disciples had stolen Jesus’ body in the night. Another lie spread through time is that Jesus didn’t actually die on the cross, but he only appeared to be dead and regained consciousness once placed in the coolness of the tomb. But Mark 15 tells us that Pilate called for a meeting with the Roman officer, who confirmed that Jesus was, in fact, dead.
One of the ways I’ve personally witnessed Satan’s attack on the resurrection is through families who are dealing with the loss of a loved one. Standing next to the grave of someone who has died, it’s easy for family members to hear Satan whispering that this is the end. The cemetery can make it seem like we ultimately lose. But for those who firmly believe in Jesus’ resurrection, everything is different. I remind families that the grave will hold no power over the faithful one they loved because it held no power over Jesus. Jesus said in John 11:25, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”
REFLECTION
What does the hope of Jesus’ resurrection, and yours, mean to you today?
