America needs its own resurrection

The followers of Jesus believed in his resurrection because they saw him alive after he was dead. They had a powerful testimony of firsthand evidence seen with their own eyes.

Mary Magdalene saw Jesus first. In John’s gospel chapter 20:14-16 we have the recorded appearance. “Jesus said to her, Mary! She turned and said to him ‘Rabboni’ which is to say teacher.”

Jesus next appeared to Mary the mother of James, Salome and Joanna. They were on their way to tell the disciples that an angel had told them Jesus had risen when he appeared before them. He greeted them and the women took hold of his feet and worshipped him. (Matthew 28:9) As with Mary Magdalene these three women also touched Jesus.

Jesus appeared to Peter. “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” (Luke 24:34) This was a private appearance and occasion where Jesus reassured Peter. Peter had earlier denied him.

Later on Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared to two disciples on the road to Emmaus. They had lost hope in Jesus and were leaving Jerusalem.

They were not expecting Jesus to rise. Jesus approached them and began traveling with them. Luke 24:13-16.

Jesus’ last appearance on Easter Sunday was to the disciples with Thomas absent. It took place in the upper room in which Jesus had instituted the Lord’s Supper. It is recorded in Luke’s and John’s gospel. Jesus came and stood in their midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

And when he had said this, he showed them

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both his hands and his side. The disciples therefore rejoiced when they saw the Lord.”

There were other appearances of Jesus later as recorded in the scriptures but these were the five appearances on Easter.

The followers of Jesus were terrified.

They had been hiding behind closed doors. They thought they could be arrested and crucified at any time, just like Jesus. Seeing Jesus alive turned their lives around completely. They were so empowered they went out to dynamically proclaim that Jesus had risen. Their message brought hope to a scared and hopeless society.

In Easter 2020, most of the world sat behind closed doors for fear of Covid-19.

Many church doors around the world were closed in fear. Many who did not go to church that year still have not returned. This year, our houses of worship were back open and many still stayed home. We need church. We need Jesus.

America and the world have been down emotionally. Sickness, death, business failures and our busy lifestyles have taken a lot out of us. We want to live again. Easter is about life, new life.

My hope this Easter is, if you possibly could, you got up, got out and celebrated life.

America is ready for a resurrection.

Dr. Glenn Mollette is a graduate of numerous schools including Georgetown College, Southern and Lexington Seminaries in Kentucky. He is the author of 13 books including Uncommon Sense.

His column is published weekly in over 600 publications in all 50 states. Find his books on Amazon. com. Listen to music by Glenn Mollette through iTunes and all music dealers. Contact him at GMollette@ aol. com. Learn more at www. glennmollette. com Like his facebook page at www. facebook. com/ glennmollette.