But Jesus rose from the dead!

But now Christ is risen from the dead… 1 Corinthians 15:20 

Judas betrayed Jesus for a handful of coins, and as a result, Jesus was crucified.  But He rose from the dead.

The Jewish leaders had no idea what they were doing when Jesus was struck on the face and accused of blasphemy.  They just wanted Him dead.  But He rose from the dead.

Pilate had no angst against the Rabbi from Galilee.  He just wanted the problem to go away.  He had Jesus beaten to try to appease the mob, but it didn’t work.  So, he ordered Jesus to be crucified.  But He rose from the dead.

Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus risked their reputations to care for Jesus’ corpse.  They buried the dead body of Jesus.  But He rose from the dead.

Jesus’ enemies insisted that His tomb be sealed and guarded.  But He rose from the dead!

You and I are sinners, unable to make ourselves acceptable to a holy and righteous God.  We would be lost without hope.

But, praise God, Jesus rose from the dead!