04/12/20 Easter Sunday—Back in the 20th century, master illusionist Harry Houdini told his followers not to worry, that he would “escape death itself,” and return to life on a certain day. For several years following his death, they waited hopefully on or near that day, but nothing happened. His promise was just an empty lie, his cruelest illusion of all.

In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 the apostle Paul argues that without the literal, bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, all Bible-based preachers are liars, the faith of all believers is worthless, and all humans stand as guilty sinners under a death sentence before an infinitely holy God. But—joyfully, thankfully and triumphantly—He concludes: Jesus has, in fact, been raised from the dead.

I love how one of my favorite Easter songs, “Alive and Well” by Luke Garrett, says it: “Some people say He’s an arms-length away; He keeps an eye on His flock, but from a distance; Some people feel He’s not even real, There is no way to prove His existence; I know that it’s been said that He is dead and gone; But they’re wrong, Oh, they’re wrong! He is alive and well, Alive and well; God is still Almighty, He is still Immanuel; He is alive and well, Gotta go and tell somebody; Jesus is alive and well!” HAPPY RESURRECTION DAY!