For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

1 Corinthians 15:3-8 (ESV)

 

The resurrection of Jesus is beyond our human comprehension and can only be understood by faith. That does not imply blind or irrational faith, though.

In 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul named six specific individuals or groups who saw the resurrected Jesus. There was Peter, the Twelve, then five hundred people all at once, followed by James, the apostles, and finally Paul.

What is amazing is not the sheer number of these first-generation eyewitnesses, but how the truth about the resurrection transformed their lives. If their testimony were simply made-up lies or stories, they would not have withstood persecution or risked their lives to defend the gospel.

The four gospels make it clear that many of the disciples did not initially believe the accounts of the eyewitnesses until they saw the risen Jesus for themselves. That means there was no plot to cover up a lie. Rather, the eyewitness accounts provided substantively unassailable proof that could not be denied.

There's no denying that the resurrection determines the rise or fall of the Christian faith. If that is not true, then our faith was in vain. But because it is true, we must respond with steadfast conviction and encourage others to do the same.

Today, as we gather to celebrate Resurrection Sunday, we remember with joy and thanksgiving that Jesus is not only alive, but He is with us. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same resurrection power working in us to enable us to live victoriously.