... and many convincing proofs

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The Empty Tomb was not supposed to be empty. Pilate had agreed to have it sealed and guarded. The last thing that he wanted was stories circulating among the people that Jesus rose from the dead as he said he would. But still, the tomb was empty and at this part of the story, people were trying to make sense of it.

Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene. She was the first person that saw Jesus alive, a simple fact that adds credibility to the story. If it were made up, no respectable Jewish man would have put a woman in such a prominent role.

Jesus appeared to Cleopas and another man. Both men were followers of Jesus, though not among the original twelve. Both men were given the privilege of seeing Jesus ahead of the others though and illustrated that we don’t need to be among the elite to have an encounter with the risen Christ.

Jesus appeared to Peter and the other disciples. It wasn’t long, however, before Jesus’ promise to his close followers was fulfilled. Somewhere along the way, Jesus appeared to Peter privately. Then he appeared to ten of the disciples, Peter included. Missing was Judas, by his own choice, and Thomas, who just happened to be somewhere else at the time.

Jesus appeared again and again to the disciples. As if to make a special point, Jesus appeared to the group again when Thomas was present who refused to believe what the others had been saying. But knowing exactly what Thomas needed for his faith, Jesus kindly and graciously allowed Thomas to touch his wounds in order to believe.

The Spirit-filled Church was the result of Jesus’ mission on earth, not just to be with his disciples but to be in them and to empower them for service. Upon Jesus’ ascension back to the right hand of God, the Father, the Holy Spirit was poured out among the disciples and the church was born.

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