“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. John 20:19 NLT

As the day broke that first Easter Sunday morning, Jesus' followers were broken men. They were afraid. They had no idea that there would be a sequel to the story. 

The disciples were huddled together in fear, the door locked because of fear of the Jews, as they wondered what to do. Peter was broken because he had denied Christ.

Yet within a few hours, everything changed.  The tomb was empty! More than sixteen of Jesus’ followers had seen Him on at least five occasions. 

He showed them the wounds in His hands. He offered Thomas the opportunity to touch them. He talked with them and ate with them. Despondency and fear were things of the past, and now came indescribable joy! On this Resurrection rests the whole of Christian history. 

Christ not only appeared to the sixteen but at a later point to over five hundred at one time. Since then, He has appeared to billions. All over the world, in every continent and country, there are those to whom Christ has revealed Himself. 

Some, like Paul on the Damascus Road, have had a vision of Christ. I found Christ through vision as a 15-year-old rebellious teenager. Others have listened to His voice. One in our fellowship heard an audible voice and came forward to give her life to Christ when no appeal had been made. Others have been convinced as they have read the Bible. Others found Him through dreams, whilst others have been floored by His power and been convinced of His reality. 

There are to-date over two billion people who follow Christ. The largest religion in the world, and all because Christ rose from the dead and has promised to be with us: 

“I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matt 28:20 NKJV

Never look back and wish you had lived in Bible times. You are living in the most exciting times now, as the Resurrected Christ stands in the church today over two thousand years later, working miracles, convicting of sin, breaking chains, and transforming lives miraculously. 

Rejoice! No religious leader from any other worldwide religion has returned from the dead.  No other can claim: 

“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying.”  John 11:25 NLT