Death is not the finality of our existence.

For the first followers of Jesus his death seemed like a crushing defeat … how could the dream go so wrong? The Sunday, however, was very different. Their fear turned to bewilderment and then to joy as they realized that Jesus has risen. Jesus appeared to some who were walking on the road to Emmaus. They did not recognize him as he spoke to them about all the things in the Scriptures concerning the resurrection … but they realized it was him when he broke the bread.

The disciple Thomas wasn’t with the disciples at the first appearance of Jesus and so he doubted. Later Jesus appeared to all the disciples and told Thomas to put his fingers through the holes in his hands saying ‘stop doubting and believe’. Thomas replies ‘my Lord and my God’.

For some people the Easter story finishes with Jesus’ death. They see only a good example. This is not what the Gospel writers tell us. Who before or since could lay down his life and take it up again? The ‘good news’ of Good Friday is that Jesus took the punishment for our sins. The resurrection is proof of forgiveness for all who believe. Death is not the finality of our existence.