​A Worldwind of Emotions

Elation:

• Matthew 21:7 They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them. 8 A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest!"

 
Shock:

• Matthew 26:21 And while they were eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me."

 
Confusion:

• Matthew 27:26 Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

 
Grief:

• Matthew 27:57-61 ... As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58 Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59 Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

 
Elation:

• Matthew 28:1-7 ... After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 2 There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4 The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7 Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

 
The disciples experienced it all in a matter of seven days.  It was a mega roller roaster ride, and thankfully it is one that ended good … very good.

But how do we know He really rose from the dead?  I mean, how many people do you know that rose from the dead? 

• 1 Corinthians 15:3-9 ... For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

 
So, after His death and burial, Jesus appeared alive to more than 500 eye witnesses. In a court of law, if you have one eye witness, that is very good. If you have two, that is excellent. If you have three or more, it’s pretty much an open and shut case.  But to have 500?  There would be no question about the verdict, even if it was regarding His resurrection. 

Have a wonderful Resurrection Day … every day. 

---