I'm so thankful that God did not leave us to guess about our future. Just as Jesus rose from the grave, so shall we!!

You know, just because we have different denominational teachings, they do not invalidate what Jesus did on the cross or his plan of salvation for all. Besides, salvation is strictly an individual matter...not a denominational one. Jesus died to save the whole world from the condemnation that sin placed on us, until we invite Him to be our Savior. He didn't die for just a select group. Salvation is for any person who places their faith in Christ's finished work on the cross: Romans 10:9

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."

Along with John 3:16 and 17, the above scripture says nothing about we can only be saved if we belong to a certain religious group, or if we have a certain church membership...but by placing our faith in Jesus Christ alone. No denomination can guarantee salvation.

"If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus...": This part emphasizes the importance of openly declaring belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior.

"...and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Jesus from the dead...": This highlights the core belief in the resurrection of Jesus as a crucial element of faith.

"...thou shalt be saved.": This is God's promise...the result of confessing and believing.

“He is not here; He has risen!” has to be one of the most hopeful statements in all of scripture. We can know that whatever life brings, there is hope NOW and beyond the grave!!

"He is not here; he has risen, just as He said. Come and see the place where he lay." Matthew 28:6

Anyone in the world... is there better evidence of anyone coming to save us and giving us better hope, than Jesus? This event holds historical evidence, witnessed by over 500 people who saw Jesus die on the cross, then saw him again after he rose from the dead, and he showed them the nail prints in his hands and feet. The Bible recounts several instances of Jesus performing miracles after his resurrection, including appearing to his disciples, demonstrating his resurrected body, and teaching them about the kingdom of God. He stayed with them 40 more days, to prove to them he had risen from the dead, then afterwards, they watched him ascend into heaven to go back to his Father in heaven, after his Earthly mission was finished. After 1000s of years, no one has been able to effectively say otherwise.

A true skeptic is able to dismiss everything about Christ, if they are somehow able to deny the resurrection. The apostle Paul would have been considered as one such skeptic in his pre-conversion days. Before becoming Paul, he was known as Saul; a fierce persecutor of Jesus’ followers. But having encountered Jesus in a real way, Paul’s life suddenly took a complete turnaround. In 1st Corinthians 15, Paul acknowledges others that saw the empty tomb and the risen Christ (such as Peter and other disciples).

What Paul writes, and what occurs post-Resurrection/Ascension, has no meaning at all, if such events did not occur. But what we see through Acts and the rest of the New Testament, is an outpouring of God’s Spirit in accordance to what Jesus told his disciples would happen. The gospels independently confirm the empty tomb. There are witnesses who interacted with Jesus after His death and resurrection. There are no reasons to believe Jesus’ followers contrived or made up the story. They had nothing to gain, even by their confession of these events. Not money, power, nor fame. In fact, even under the threat of death, they did just the opposite. They stuck to their faith and convictions at all cost, even dying for what they believed in, and that was Jesus' death and Resurrection.

Jesus’ Resurrection Is Ours, As Well!

We must understand why Jesus had to die. If we are examining Jesus’ death and are struggling with the “why,” it is because we need to acknowledge our sinful nature and need for a Savior.

Just as in Jesus’ day, there are varied reactions to the resurrection, today. Even not responding is a response in itself. It seems much of the world takes this stance, either ignoring or simply not addressing the claims that scripture so loudly profess as true and valid. But to live on this side of eternity, the world must still respond to the empty tomb.

Peter looked in at the tomb and went away astonished by what he saw. At first glance, we can walk away shaking our heads in amazement, as well. The world around us may look in and see the linen cloths and even remark “Wow, something amazing happened here!” However, Peter’s eyes were not truly opened, until he saw His risen Lord, and Jesus again commissioned him for service in the Kingdom (John 24:15-19). This opportunity to not only accept the resurrection, but to then live it out, is what Jesus extends to us. Peter’s life was set on fire, as a result.

A relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship a person can have. A relationship with Jesus results in new life (Ephesians 2:4–5); forgiveness (Colossians 1:14); the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17); and, in the future, bodily resurrection and a home in heaven (John 14:19; Philippians 3:20–21).

Establishing a relationship with Jesus, is not difficult. Jesus Himself came “to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:10); He has issued the invitation...“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28); He has called for our trust (John 14:1); and He has spoken to us as “friends” (John 15:14–15). So, Jesus is certainly willing to have a relationship with us.

Having a relationship with Jesus is based on God’s grace, through faith. Grace means unearned favor from God. Salvation then, is a free gift from God, if we accept it and allow him to save us.

The first truth we need to recognize in order to have a relationship with Jesus is that, naturally, our relationship with God is broken. We have sinned against Him. We have done things that are wrong in His sight. The Bible says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). God’s standard is perfection—since He is absolutely holy—and of course, we all fall short of that standard. God knows that, and he doesn't expect us to be perfect. He knows we can't. We need a Savior and His name is Jesus... appointed by God himself and born through the Virgin Mary through miraculous conception, as foretold by prophets of old, in the Old Testament. We each need to humble ourselves before God and admit our sin. God doesn't hate us, he hates sin because it keeps us separated from him until we confess our sins and our cleansed by the blood of Jesus, our only Mediator between God and man. 1 Timothy 2:5

To have a relationship with Jesus, we also need to understand the biblical truth that “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). “Wages” are payment for what we do. So, the payment or result of our sin is “death”—this is speaking of spiritual death, eternal separation from God in the place the Bible calls hell.

To have a relationship with Jesus, we also need to grasp a wonderful truth: God loves us even though we have sinned, and He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die for us, as our Substitute.

“God showed his great love for us, by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:8). He didn’t wait for us to clean up our act or somehow overcome our sin (an impossibility); rather, He sacrificed Himself for us while we were still estranged from Him. He chose to take the punishment that we deserved. He took our place!

Then, we need to admit that there’s absolutely nothing we can do to save ourselves or contribute to our salvation. On the basis of Christ’s sacrifice, God forgives our sins by grace, that is, by an undeserved blessing. “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast!” (Ephesians 2:8–9). The Lord Jesus has already done all the work (John 19:30), and He did it perfectly! Salvation is not about what we can do...but about what Christ has done FOR US, on the cross.

Knowing these truths from scripture, you can have a relationship with Jesus by receiving Him by faith. Turn from your sin and trust Jesus and His finished work on the cross to have paid for your sins. Call out to Him as the Risen Savior who conquered death once and for all. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior. All the old prophets in the Old Testament, foretold a coming Savior and His name shall be called Jesus. You will find this prophecy of Moses in Deuteronomy 18:18, which was fulfilled in Jesus, a prophet like Moses, who was sent by God to speak His word and lead his people. Other prophecies are found in Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy and Numbers, containing other prophecies that point to the coming of Jesus, including His suffering, death, resurrection, and Glory.

“As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name” (John 1:12).

You can receive Jesus by faith and begin a relationship with Him this very moment, right where you are, as you read these words. You can express your faith in Him by praying a prayer similar to this:

“God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin, but I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone, as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you, Lord, for saving me and forgiving me. Amen.”

Remember that God is not as concerned about the exact words you use. He is concerned about the attitude of your heart. He sees your faith.

He is risen, He is risen indeed! God bless you. Happy Easter!