The Resurrection

My friend, I want to tell you something very surprising (a thing of wonder) which happened long ago. Although it is surprising, it is very certain (true, or, it has been proven.) I want you to hear it. Because if you receive (believe) it, it will bring you peace and joy. This is the news: Jesus, the man who died on the cross (tree), arose from death (is alive)!

I know you are thinking this (Perhaps you are thinking) ---maybe (perhaps) He didn't really die. But He did (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 (it is not possible) unless the person is dead. Jesus died and was buried, but on the third day He arose from death (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.

Are you wondering if anyone saw Him after that? Let me tell you. Yes, 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 another time (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 touched (was invited to touch) Him. Jesus said to Thomas, "Put your finger into the holes in My hands, that were made (They were made) when they were fastening Me to the cross. Do not doubt, but believe, because I (really, truly) 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 (keep) 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 (eternal life). 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, God's good place. Do you think He is far away from His people on the earth? No, He is not. He is in God's place, but He also lives (His Spirit lives) in the heart of everyone who receives Him (believes on 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 the hand of 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. (We do not wear charms. Jesus is with us all the time.)

At the end of the world (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 (hell). Those who have trusted Him before, and their hearts are clean (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 cleanse our hearts so that we will do only what is good in His eyes (forgive us when we do badness). Then we will not be afraid to meet Him. (We who have believed have no fear because we belong to Jesus.)

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. Jesus said, "All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. For this reason, you go and teach all people to obey My words. And I am with you always."

Ref.: Matt 28:18-20