Key Scriptures: Luke 24:9-11 When they came back from the tomb, they told all these things to the Eleven and to all the others. 10 It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the others with them who told this to the apostles. 11 But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.

Third, the resurrection reminds us to celebrate the victory! At first the disciples were still not convinced. Can you imagine the range of their emotions? For three plus years they had given up everything to follow this rabbi. For what? They sat in dark locked rooms fearing every noise lest they be the next target of the religious leaders. The grief of their loss and the fear for their future must have been intense! They heard the story of the women, but it was not enough. The first skeptics Jesus faced were His own disciples.

Jesus therefore, appeared, revealed Himself, and transformed these cowering cowards into mighty missionaries and into powerful preachers ready to stand up to Rome itself. Only the unmistakable appearance of the risen Christ could overcome such doubt and replace it with unshakable faith. Think about it. Within days of the empty tomb thousands of people’s lives were changed. These changed people were to tell others about Who changed them. Nothing has changed about that!

Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11). He has commissioned us with an ongoing mission to tell others. We must allow Him to reveal Himself to others through us. The resurrection of Jesus shines with power from birth to death. The resurrection really matters and is worth celebrating every day. Easter really matters and is worth celebrating as a time to remember what He has done for us! Let us celebrate the change He brings in us and through us.