The Resurrection

My friend, I want to tell you something very surprising which happened long ago. Although it is surprising, it is true. I want you to hear it. Because if you believe it, it will bring you peace and joy. This is the news: Jesus, the man who died on the cross, is alive!

Perhaps you are thinking, He didn't really die. But that is not true-He did die. While He was still on the cross, a guard put a spear in His side. Blood and water came out. This cannot happen unless the person is dead. Jesus died and was buried, but on the third day He came back to life. This is an amazing thing, but true. Perhaps you are thinking, that was a long time ago and how can we be sure it is true. We were not there to see it. But listen. There were those who saw it. A woman called Mary and her friends went to the grave (tomb) and found it empty. Peter and John, also, saw that the grave was empty. Some of them wondered if someone had come and taken the body of Jesus away. But that was not possible, because there were soldiers guarding the grave. No one could go past them.

Many people saw Him after that. First, Mary saw Him near the grave where they buried Him. After that Peter and others saw Him. At other times more than 500 men saw Him with their eyes. Are you wondering if it was a spirit they saw? Let me tell you. He was not a spirit (ghost.) He had a body. He ate food with His friends. A man called Thomas was invited to touch Him. Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger into the holes in my hands that were made when they were fastening me to the cross. Do not doubt, but believe because I am Jesus."

Do you wonder how He could be raised from the dead? Listen and I will tell you. Although Jesus was a man, He was also really God. It was not possible for death to hold Him. His resurrection shows that He is stronger than death. He has power over death and over life. Because Jesus is truly God, He can give us life. He can give us the life that never ends. He gives this eternal life to all who believe in Him and become His followers. Because Jesus is stronger than death His followers are not afraid of death. They know that when they die Jesus will take them immediately to be with Him in His good place (heaven) They will be there forever in great happiness.

Do you want to know where Jesus is now? He is in heaven. Do you think He is far away from His people on the earth? No, He is not. He is in God's place, but His Spirit lives in the heart of everyone who receives Him. He teaches us His good way. He teaches us what His will is. He makes us strong so we will not return to the way of Satan. Jesus died in order to deliver us from Satan. He made the payment in this way for our sins. If we believe on Him and follow Him only, He protects us. We will not fear.

Some day Jesus will return to earth again. He will return to examine the hearts of all people, both the living and the dead. He will send those who have evil in their hearts to the place of fire. Those who have trusted Him before, and have Jesus' Spirit living in them, will be with Jesus in His place forever. No one knows when He will come. He told us to be ready. He said we must ask Him to forgive us when we do badness. Then we will not be afraid to meet Him.

Now, you have heard this good news. Believe on Jesus. Ask Him to wash the sins from your heart. Then follow Him only. If you do this you will meet Him with joy when He comes. If you ask Him to forgive you, you will not go to the fire. You will go to God's good place when you die.