Key scripture – “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty. Yes, and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God that He raised up Christ, whom He did not raise up—if in fact the dead do not rise.” (1 Corinthians 15:15).

It’s one thing to be mistaken; it’s another thing to be a false witness. There are people who say that Jesus is not the Son of God and that He did not rise from the dead. By saying this, they are saying the disciples, Paul, and the other 500 plus individuals were all liars when they said Christ was Risen.

“But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. They said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.” Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” which means Teacher.” (John 20:11-16).

Paul said,”For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

If you do not believe the disciples, Paul, and all the other people who say that they saw the Risen Christ, have you ever asked yourself, “Why would the disciples and Paul deceive us? What did they gain from lying? Why would over 500 other people lie about seeing the Risen Christ?

People usually lie in order to gain something. But what gain did the disciples, Paul, and the 500 plus people have for saying that they saw the Risen Christ, if Jesus Christ was still in the grave? A lot of them died as martyrs. They were tortured, persecuted, beheaded, imprisoned, and burned at the stake, they reddened the mouths of lions, were stoned, crushed, and humiliated.

If you do not believe Paul when he says that encountered Jesus after He had risen from the dead, have you ever asked, “Why would Paul lie about this? What did he gain from saying that Jesus was the only Son of God, and the Risen Lord and Savior? Look at what Paul experienced as a result of proclaiming that Jesus Christ is the Risen Lord and Savior.

“Five times I received at the hands of the Jews the forty lashes less one. Three times I was beaten with rods. Once I was stoned. Three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I was adrift at sea; on frequent journeys, in danger from rivers, danger from robbers, danger from my own people, danger from Gentiles, danger in the city, danger in the wilderness, danger at sea, danger from false brothers; in toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. (2 Corinthians 11:24-27).

In the end, Paul was put in prison and beheaded because he refused to stop preaching about Jesus, the Risen Savior.

People tell lies to get out of trouble, not to get into trouble. A man may live for a lie, but few, if any are willingly to die for a lie. No, they did not lie. None of them lied. Jesus Christ has Risen, He has Risen indeed, just as they said!

Based on all the people who saw and spoke to Jesus after He rose from the dead how can you still say it is not true? Aren’t you tired of listening to and believing the lies of Satan?

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, Jesus is Risen, He is Risen indeed! Jesus is the only true Son of God. Thank You for sacrificing Your Son so that we can have eternal life. I pray that people will stop believing the lies and will open their hearts and minds to the truth that is right for in front of them. Father, I know that Jesus lives in me. I also know that no matter what mountain I face it can be leveled because of the power of Christ in me. No matter what raging storm is in front of me, it can be parted because of the power of Christ in me. I know that no matter how hot the flames are around me, I will not be burned nor will I come out smelling like smoke, because of the power of Christ in me. I know that no matter who abandons me, I am never alone because, Jesus will never forsake or abandon me. In the Powerful Name of Jesus, our Risen Lord and Savior, I pray, Amen.

 Laura Ingle