After 3 days Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. There was an earthquake, an angel of the Lord descended and rolled back the stone and sat on it. He looked like lightning and his clothing white as snow. The guards trembled and became like dead men. The angel said not to be afraid, Jesus is risen – look then tell the disciples that He is risen and going before them to Galilee where they will see him. They ran from the tomb with fear and great joy to tell his disciples. Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They took hold of his feet and worshiped him. Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee, and there they will see me.” The guards told the priests, the chief priests gave them money to tell people that the disciples stole the body while they were asleep, and if Pilate finds out they will keep them out of trouble. They did this, and the story of the grave-robbery spread among the Jews even to the day that Matthew was writing this account. Jesus appeared to the 11 disciples who went to Galilee, they worshiped him, some doubted. Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Jesus rose from the dead. This is indisputable. How else can the existence of the Church be explained. These first hand accounts aren’t just fables and fairy tales. They are explaining what they really saw and experienced. There were many witnesses. The gospel account writers weren’t merely making up a story that was only personally revealed only to them individually. These things were attested to by many witnesses. Jesus has authority and His people have sought to fulfill His commission from that day on. Acts is a picture of how serious Christians took the commission of Christ. And be encouraged by that promise. Jesus doesn’t leave or forsake His people. He will be with us to the end of the age. Don’t despair if you face trials or persecutions for sharing the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t give up. Christ is with you, and He will hold you fast, even if you lose your life to make His name known among the nations.