The Truth

My absolute favorite series of books is The Mark of the Lion Series by Francine Rivers. Amazing. Today, I want to quote a passage from the first book, A Voice in the Wind.
Around the time of Jesus' resurrection (and still today) there were rumors that he did not die. That his disciples stole His body to perpetuate a lie for their own fame and fortune. Despite the legion of Roman soldiers guarding the tomb, the body of Jesus was gone. The tomb had been sealed with a stone too heavy for one to move and it would have not been able to be done quietly. Only God, Jesus Himself, could have walked Himself out of that tomb. When the soldiers realized He was gone, they made up a lie to tell their leaders to save their own skin. Although I am quoting a book here, this section is based on fact:

"He's dead! Marcus said in frustration. "Why won't you listen to the facts?"
"What facts? The word of a guard who saw nothing? What did the men who followed Jesus gain? Not money or power or the esteem of men. They were reviled as the Lord was reviled. James was beheaded by King Herod Agrippa. Andrew was stoned in Scythia. Bartholomew was flayed alive and beheaded in Armenia. Matthew was crucified in Alexandria, Philip in Hieropolis, Peter in Rome. James the Less was beheaded by order of Herod Antipas. Simon the Zealot was sawn in two in Persia. And none of them recanted. Even in the face of death, they still proclaimed Jesus the Messiah. Would they all have died like that to preserve a lie?...they were all afraid when Jesus was crucified. They ran away and hid. After Jesus arose and came to them, they were different men. Changed. Not from without, but from within, Marcus. The spread the Good News because they knew it was true."
"What is the good news?" Pheobe said, trembling.
"That the Lord came, not to condemn the world, but to save it, my lady. He is the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in him shall live even if he dies."

"'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" Mark 16:6
I pray you have a wonderful Easter Sunday. A day of celebration for the Resurrection of our Lord!

*I shared a story I write and posted last year on our other blog here, if you want to read it!*