5 And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. 6 And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. – Mark 16:5-6 (ESV)

Everything led to this one event, Jesus is risen.

Of all the debates surrounding the existence and validity of Jesus, this is the most argued over. Most scholors agree that Jesus was in fact a man that existed on Earth and created enough of a movement to affect human civilization through to today. The Resurrection, however, is the dividing line.

People of faith do not doubt. Others contend it’s malarkey. What really happened?

The truth is we don’t know for sure. All we have are eyewhitness accounts of his body missing from the tomb and tales of sightings of him in the hours and days immediately after the discovery of the empty tomb. When people of faith discuss the events, they state things as fact, like good Christians ought. But all we really have are stories.

So why believe it has any validity?

Christians are instructed not to question the Bible. Doing so is blasphemous. So when asked, they simply say it is so because the Bible says it is so. If “believing” and “faith” are a state of being, as I keep expounding here, then to follow along just because will no more convince your mind and spirit than wearing a lampshade over your head will make you invisible.

How can a man die and then rise again?

16 Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher). 17 Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet acsended to the Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascedning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'” 18 Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord” – and that he had said these things to her. – John 20:16-18 (ESV)

Think of someone you trust. If they tell you something, you don’t request facts from them before you believe their word. Think of it’s opposite, someone you do not trust. When presented with information, you doubt inspite of the information. Even when it’s proven to be true, the doubt remains at least on the person, and your spirit remains unchanged.

It is not enough to stengthen our faith, we must kill off doubt that hinders our faith.

This is why we trust in the account of Jesus’ resurection, as told by the sources we do trust. We first trust in the Apostles, which include Mary, that it was paramount to their credibility to explain details as they actually occured. The very nature of Christianty is based on the simplified truth. Only after it is stated plainly is it interpreted by men and women.

Well, isn’t that the same as believing just because it’s in the Bible? Yes and no.

The Bible is the only source of information that we have to learn of events and teachings, from Genesis to Jesus.  However, it is not the Bible alone that we have trust in. It’s Peter and Mary and Mark and Luke and Paul that we have trust in, and because they are the source, we do not question.

They were honorable people who gave their lives to spread the word of Jesus. It is they that roamed thousands of miles, by foot and with no resources, enduring painful persecution in the effort to see Jesus’ mission carried out, and ultimately died for Christ. They gave their life, the ultimate sacrifice, for God.

It is by my trust in God, it is by my trust in Jesus Christ, it is by my trust in the relentless spirit of the Apostles, that I say, “I believe,” and thus I do believe in my being, and hence am now connected to God.

28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Do not believe in the book alone. Do not believe in the details alone.

Believe in the Apostles who gave us the gift of their account.

Believe in Jesus, now Christ, that his beautiful words are the words of God. Believe that His Spirit ascended this day and with it, relinquished death and mans inherent sin.

Believe in the Spirit that is Holy. Allow it to enter you as you seek its perfection, power and guidance.

Believe in God, that is that.

Jesus is risen! And we rejoice in the beautful and never ending power of Gods love.

We can close our eyes, because we see clearly with our spirit.

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Easter Prayer:

Lord, today is your day. We feel your love spread wide across the world. It is our promise, to you Lord Christ, that we will live in a manner that shows our devotion and love as you showed us yours. In our hearts, we fill our spirit with the Spirit that is Holy, and can do anything by its power. Father, thank you for your never ending forgiveness. As we struggle in this life, as we triumph in this life, we will never forget that it is you who control the land, the sea and the sky.