2000 years ago over this weekend, Jesus Christ was crucified and buried. For about 3 years Jesus went about doing good, healing many who were sick and setting free the oppressed (Acts 10:38). He proclaimed that he was the Son of God in the flesh (John 10:36) and that he has come to save man from sin (John 8:24). He said that He had come to give man life, abundant life (John 10:10). Then suddenly his own life was cruelly terminated by crucifixion.

His disciples had believed in his words, his promises and his cause so completely that they left everything to follow him (Mark 10:28, Luke 18:28). But now they were in fear and despair. Even before Jesus’ crucifixion, when he was arrested, his disciples were already afraid to be associated with him. At that point of time Peter denied Jesus three times because he was afraid of a servant girl who recognized him as one of the followers (Mat 26:69-75). And after the crucifixion, the disciples were hiding behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jews (John 20:19). None of them dared to claim Jesus’ body after he died, it was Joseph of Arimathea (John 19:38) who gave him a proper burial.

But when the disciples met the resurrected Lord and realized that he was alive again, they were transformed from fearful cowards to courageous witnesses. When Peter and John were arrested for preaching about Jesus and interrogated, the elders and religious leaders were astounded that they were bold and courageous in their testimony about Christ (Acts 4:13). The other disciples also willingly suffered arrest, harassment, torture and execution for their testimony. The resurrection of Christ totally transformed them and eradicated all their fears.

And the same deliverance from fear is available to us. Whatever happens God will cause it to work out for our good (Rom 8:28). There are many things to fear in life if lived without Jesus. But if we discover and experience God's love, fear loses power over us (1 John 4:18). Even the worst thing that can happen, death, Jesus has conquered on our behalf (John 11:25) and we have been set free from the fear of death (Heb 2:14-15). The resurrection tells us that God alone has the last say (Rev 22:13), Jesus won!

On that resurrection morning, the first words of the angels sent to announce Christ’s resurrection were “Don’t be afraid” (Mat 28:5). The soldiers guarding the tomb shook with fear (Mat 28:4) while the women who went to anoint Jesus' body for burial though afraid were nevertheless happy having heard the angels’ assurance (Mat 28:8). And when Jesus met them he again reminded them not to fear (Mat 28:10). From that moment until the day he ascended back to heaven, more than 515 people, in different locations, different times and varying circumstances, saw him alive (1 Cor 15:5-8). If each one was cross-examined in court about his resurrection for 15 minutes, that would be more than 128 hours of continuous testimony, more than 5 days. The historical evidence for his resurrection is overwhelming, and so is the proof of his resurrection power working in the lives of his people today.