The Certainty of the Resurrection
we may even end up struggling with doubts and unbelief – just as the disciples did that very first Easter.
The First Easter
On the first Easter, the disciples were troubled and doubtful. Their master, Jesus, had just been cruelly crucified by the Roman soldiers two days ago. What were they to do now that He was dead?
That morning, some women went to Jesus’ tomb, and found it empty. While they were there, angels told them that Jesus had risen from the dead! “He is not here, but is risen!” (Luke 24:6) But when these women reported what had happened to the disciples, the disciples did not believe them. They thought that the women’s report of Jesus’ resurrection was like idle tales (Luke 24:11).
Dealing with the disciples’ doubts
Jesus had to deal with the disciples’ doubts. So He came into their midst, in His resurrected body. He asked them to touch His body, and see for themselves, that He was truly resurrected. He said to them, “Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I myself.” (Luke 24:39). After that, he even ate food – broiled fish and some honeycomb – as proof that He was truly alive.
Jesus did not just stop there. He went on to teach the disciples from God’s Word. He “opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures” (Luke 24:45). He explained to them that His death and resurrection had been prophesied in Scripture, and that these prophecies were now fulfilled. By fulfilling these prophecies, Jesus showed that He is “the Christ” (Luke 24:46), meaning that He is God’s chosen One, the Saviour of mankind.
From doubt to certainty
After Jesus had dealt with the disciples’ doubts, they gained certainty of His resurrection. They believed with all their hearts that Jesus had risen from the dead. With this certainty in their hearts, they went on to do great works for God. They preached the gospel with boldness, and even suffered for Jesus’ sake. They were able to do all this because they were certain that Jesus had risen from the dead, and He is truly God’s Son.
Dealing with our own doubts
What about us? Do we also suffer from doubts, like the disciples did that very first Easter? Do we need to find this same certainty that they found?
I know I face the problem of doubts. Sometimes, when I am overcome by guilt, I doubt that God would want to forgive me. I also doubt that I am truly able to change for the better. Other times, when things don’t go my way, I doubt God’s love for me. Although I know in my head that these things are true, somehow, deep in my heart, there can still be doubts.
As we reflect on Easter, let us apply our faith, and overcome our doubts. “Christ is risen” is not just a phrase, or a song, or words that we find in the Bible. It is a statement of truth that gives us certainty – certainty that God fulfills all the promises in His Word. He promises to love us, forgive us and help us to change, if we believe in Him. May the certainty of the resurrection strengthen our faith in God and His promises!