What steps can we take to deepen our belief in Jesus' resurrection? Setting the Scene with Mark 9:10 “So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead.” (Mark 9:10) The three disciples have just witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration. Even after hearing His clear prediction, they still wrestle with the idea of resurrection. Their honest confusion shows that growing in belief can be a process—and that process offers us practical steps today. Step 1 – Revisit Jesus’ Own Words • Read His predictions aloud: Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34. • Underline how He speaks with certainty, not speculation. • Personalize it: replace “the Son of Man” with “Jesus” in your reading. Hearing His name clarifies the reality of what He promised. Step 2 – Trace Fulfillment Through Eyewitness Accounts • Walk through the resurrection narratives: Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, John 20–21. • Make a simple chart: who saw Him, where, and how they responded. • Notice the diversity of witnesses—women and men, individuals and groups (1 Corinthians 15:5–7)—underscoring historical credibility. Step 3 – Let Scripture Interpret Scripture • Connect Old Testament foreshadowings: Psalm 16:10; Isaiah 53:11. • See the apostles’ preaching: Acts 2:24–32; 3:15; 4:33. • Observe how each passage builds a unified testimony. The more interwoven threads you see, the stronger the fabric of faith becomes. Step 4 – Engage Both Heart and Mind • Memorize Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” • Write a brief journal entry on how the resurrection secures forgiveness (Romans 4:25) and new life (1 Peter 1:3). • Share your reflections with a fellow believer; verbalizing truth often cements conviction. Step 5 – Lean on the Holy Spirit’s Witness • Pray for illumination using John 16:13 as your guide. • Pause while reading Scripture, asking the Spirit to press the reality of the empty tomb onto your conscience. • Watch for fresh assurance—peace that replaces doubt (Philippians 4:7). Step 6 – Practice Resurrection Living • Identify one area where fear or sin still “buries” you. • Apply Colossians 3:1–4—seek things above, setting your mind on Christ. • Celebrate small victories as evidence that the risen Jesus is actively transforming you (Ephesians 1:19–20). Step 7 – Keep the Conversation Going • Discuss lingering questions with mature believers, just as the disciples once “kept this matter to themselves, discussing.” • Attend gatherings centered on the Lord’s Supper; the bread and cup proclaim His death “until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:26), reinforcing resurrection hope. Living the Truth Forward Each intentional step—listening to Jesus’ words, weighing eyewitness testimony, relying on the Spirit, and acting on what we believe—moves us from curiosity to deep-rooted confidence. Like the disciples, we may start in wonder, but by staying close to Scripture we end in unwavering assurance that “He is risen indeed.” |
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