Encounter Jesus Personally

Pray – (1/2 minute)

Read – (2 1/2 minutes) – “On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ After He said this, He showed them His hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.” (John 12:12-13)
       Passage: 1 Peter 1:3-12

         The evidence of the resurrection was strong from seeing the empty tomb and the way things were inside. The disciples knew they didn’t steal the body. The idea that it might have been grave-robbers wouldn’t make sense as they would have had to overpower the Roman guards, move a 2-ton stone, and then take time to neatly lay out and fold the linens, along with the fact there was nothing of value to steal. The idea Jesus might have only looked dead, but then resuscitated is ridiculous by the very impossibility of Jesus then having strength to unwrap himself, move stone and slip past the guards.
        Nothing makes sense of the empty tomb except the resurrection, but that wasn’t all that Mary and the disciples had. Jesus appeared first to Mary, then to all the disciples that evening, except Thomas who wasn’t there. Jesus appeared to him, along with the rest one week later and His words to Thomas are great news for you and me. Jesus said, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”  A personal encounter with Jesus changes everything.

 Apply - (2 1/2 minutes)
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Pray - (1 1/2 minutes)