Mark 16:11 "And they, when they had heard he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not."

The attitude manifested by the twelve apostles about the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is amazing. They had known Jesus intimately. They had had the benefit of his private instruction. They had seen the supernatural manifestations which spoke of the powers of Jesus. The disciples had had specific preparation for his crucifixion and resurrection.

However, in time the disciples would forget the teachings of Jesus and act as men without hope. As the crucifixion drew near, they feared for their lives. This is in contrast to the courage that they displayed in the years to follow. So great had been their failure that other disciples had to bury the body of Jesus, while the apostles hid in the upper room.

Yes, they baffle us in many ways. In these men we can see ourselves, our own fears and lack of faith. Whenever trials and temptations come many of us take leave of our courage and act as men without faith.

The resurrection caught the disciples by surprise, coming as a sudden event for which they had not prepared. The appearances of Jesus after the resurrection were many. His resurrection is not a psychological phenomena. The resurrection is a rooted fact. An event that really occurred which changed the lives of eleven men and then eventually the entire world.

The darkened tomb that the body of Jesus was in, was a tomb that would have held an ordinary man. Jesus was not ordinary. He had the power of life and used it to conquer the grave. The resurrection gives new meaning to our lives and gives us hope to live by each day.

On that day He showed that he was God of the living. "He is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him." (Lk 20:38)

The day called Easter is the time of the year the world has set aside to remember the Lord's resurrection. To those of us who are members of the body of Christ, we assemble every first day of the week to remember His Death, Burial, and Resurrection. By doing this we gain strength for the week to follow.

The announcement of the angels to the women at the sepulcher was the most joyous ever made to human ears. As our years on this earth increase, they remind us that our Lord died, and that he put his feet upon the skull of death. He died that He might calm the crying of the suffering creation. He took from all of us the dread of the conquered foe. Death to the Christian is not the ending but the beginning. Those that have obeyed his word will enjoy the resurrection as a fresh new day. Jesus by His Death, Burial, and glorious Resurrection made possible all the wonderful blessings that we enjoy as Christians. The happiness, peace of mind, and security we enjoy as Christians is because the grave of Jesus is empty.