They Knew What They Saw!
Beloved, we often hear the phrase, “No one dies for a lie.” More precisely, people may die for something false they believe is true—but the disciples were claiming something different. They said they personally witnessed the risen Jesus.
Peter declared in Acts 2:32, “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.”
Think about Peter. Before the crucifixion, fear caused him to deny Jesus three times. Yet after the resurrection, that same Peter boldly proclaimed Christ even when threatened.
What changed? Peter said he had seen Jesus alive.
The disciples weren’t simply spreading someone else’s story. They proclaimed that they had walked with Jesus, witnessed His crucifixion, and encountered Him after His resurrection. 2 Peter 1:16 says, “We did not follow cleverly devised stories.”
Their suffering alone doesn’t prove the resurrection, but it asks a powerful question: What transformed frightened disciples into courageous witnesses willing to suffer for their testimony?
Their answer was simple: “We saw Him alive.”
Beloved, though we haven’t physically seen Jesus with our eyes on this side of heaven, the heart of Christianity does not require human eyes to believe. Faith sees beyond what the natural eye can see (John 20:29). And Christianity does not end with Jesus hanging on a cross. The tomb is empty. Christ is risen. And because He lives, we have hope beyond the grave.
Pray with me: Father God, thank You for Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and conquered the grave. Strengthen my faith and give me courage to boldly live for You. Because Jesus lives, I know death does not have the final word. In Jesus’ name, I pray, believe, receive, and praise in advance. Amen.
4GIVEN 