"He isn't here! He has come back to life again!

Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee--

that the Messiah must be betrayed into the power of evil men

and be crucified

and that he would rise again on the third day?"

~ Luke 24:6 & 7 LAB

Bible Commentary:  "The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the central fact of Christian history. On it, the church is built; without it, there would be no Christian church today. Jesus' resurrection is unique. Other religions have strong ethical systems, concepts about Paradise and various holy scriptures. Only Christianity has a God who became a man, literally died for his people, and was raised again in power and glory to rule his church forever.

"Why is the resurrection so important? 1) Because Christ was raised from the dead, we know that the Kingdom of Heaven has broken into earth's history. Our world is headed for redemption, not disaster. God's mighty power is at work destroying sin, creating new lives, and preparing us for Jesus' Second Coming. 2) Because of the resurrection, we know that death has been conquered, and we, too, will be raised from the dead to live forever with Christ; 3) The resurrection gives authority to the church's witness in the world.4) The resurrection gives meaning to the church's regular feast, the Lord's Supper. 5) The resurrection helps us find meaning even in the midst of tragedy. No matter what happens to us as we walk with the Lord, who comes in power to save us. 6)The resurrection assures us that Christ is alive and ruling his Kingdom. He is not legend; he is alive and real. 7) God's power that brought Jesus back from the dead is available to us so that we can live for him in an evil world.

"Christians can look very different from one another; they can hold widely varying beliefs about politics, lifestyle, and even theology. But one central belief unities and inspires all true Christians----Jesus Christ rose from the dead!"

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