Yesterday we celebrated Easter. If we would have lived at the time, this might have been today's headlines after Jesus was crucified:
Mark 16:9 - 14: "It was early on Sunday morning when Jesus came back to life, and the first person who saw Him was Mary Magdalene--the woman from whom He had cast out seven demons. She found the disciples wet-eyed with grief and exclaimed that she had seen Jesus, and He was alive. But they didn't believe her!
Later that day He appeared to two who were walking from Jerusalem into the country, but they didn't recognize Him at first because He had changed His appearance. When they finally realized who He was, they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others, but no on believed them.
Still later He appeared to the eleven disciples as they were eating together. He rebuked them for their unbelief--their stubborn refusal to believe those who had seen Him alive from the dead."
Commentary - "When the two men finally realized who Jesus was they rushed back to Jerusalem. It's not enough to read about Christ as a personality or to study His teaching. By believing that He is God, you trust Him to save you and accept Him as Lord of your life. This is the difference between knowing Jesus and knowing about Him. Only when you know Him will you be motivated to share with others what He has done for you.
Jesus told His disciples to 'go into all the world' telling everyone He paid the penalty for sin and that those who believe in Him can be forgiven and live eternally with God. Christian disciples today are living in all parts of the world, telling this good news to people who haven't heard it. The driving power that carries missionaries around the world and sets Christ's church in motion is the faith that comes from the resurrection. Do you ever feel you don't have the skill or determination to be a witness for Christ? You must personally realize that Jesus rose from the dead and lives for you today. As you grow in your relationship with Him, He will provide you with both the opportunities and the inner strength to tell His message."