This announcement is almost always a cause for rejoicing: when a loved one is unearthed after a mining disaster, or a child is rescued out of a storm drain after a torrential rain, or when you rush to the hospital and finally get to the bedside of your father who has experienced a heart attack. When you hear the words, “He’s Alive,” if you know God, you are compelled to shout, “Praise the Lord!,”—you know that He is the Giver and Sustainer of life!
Jesus, God’s Son, understands your pain and emotion; He lived on earth for 33 years back in the first century (AD), and died a martyr’s death. He was crucified (nailed to a cross) by the Roman soldiers at the behest of the High Priests and Pharisees of Jerusalem. He was buried, and on the third day, some ladies went to His tomb only to discover that He was not there. An angel appeared to them and said, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. (Matthew 28:6-7)” The ladies left the tomb, to go and tell His disciples the most amazing news, “He’s Alive!”
Paul later reported that, after the ladies, “…[Jesus] was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present [the time of writing], but some are fallen asleep [dead]. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also [Paul], as of one born out of due time. (1Corinthians 15:3-8)” Without a doubt, He’s Alive!
Jesus died to pay the penalty for your sins; He rose from the dead to be your Savior and restore you to fellowship with God the Father. John says, “…as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16) “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him. (John 3:36)”