For many, Easter is a holiday set aside to celebrate the incredible sacrifice and victory of Jesus. The Bible explains how Jesus died a gruesome, horrific death on the cross—His innocent body beaten and bruised on our behalf. He lived a perfect life and CHOSE to die, so that we can be forgiven of our wrongs and have a personal relationship with God.

Wrongdoing (or “sin”) separates us from God. Jesus took the penalty upon Himself that we deserve for our wrongs. Now, through Him, we can be forgiven and in right standing with God.

Jesus died, not by accident, but on purpose. He tells us in John 12:27b, “But for this purpose I came to this hour.”

It is my understanding that historians acknowledge Jesus’ life and death as facts. The question that this post is answering:

Did Jesus REALLY rise from the dead?

Here’s what the Bible says in Mark 16:2-6

“And very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. They were saying to one another, ‘Who will roll away the stone from the entrance of the tomb for us?’ And looking up, they noticed that the stone had been rolled away; for it was extremely large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting at the right, wearing a white robe; and they were amazed. But he said to them, ‘Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen; He is not here; see, here is the place where they laid Him.’”

There are documented instances in which Jesus appeared to people after His death, showing that He IS alive! This gives the world wonderful hope! We don’t have to live stuck in our sins or ruled by mistakes. We can be forgiven and have a fresh start because of what Jesus did.

The answer? Yes! A thousand times yes! Jesus really did rise from the dead!

If you’re currently hesitant to believe the Bible as your source, I encourage you to watch the movie, The Case for Christ. It’s about a man who sets out to disprove Christianity, digging into evidence surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. Check it out and see what he finds.

Happy Easter! Rejoice! We have freedom and eternal life in Jesus! He is risen!