Why do you believe in Jesus?

For the past few weeks, I've been trying to think about what would be the most compelling reason for a hardened Roman centurion to believe that Jesus was the true Son of God. I think that God has allowed me to come to a good conclusion. I’ve thought about myself too, about what is the most compelling reason for me about to believe the truth of Jesus and His resurrection. And I can sum it up in three words, the disciples changed.
 
These followers scattered when Jesus was arrested. They locked themselves up in the Upper Room fearful that they would be arrested next. They were like sheep without a shepherd. But after the resurrection, that all changed. They went out of that room and boldly told anyone who was willing to listen about the promised Messiah Jesus that they were eyewitnesses of. They were willing to get hurt or even be killed because they knew what they believed. They were willing to move away from everything they had known and held dear because they knew the Truth. And God used their witness for explosive growth in the early Church.
 
If there was a body, there would be no faith. It’s as easy as that. But the authorities could never produce the body. And the religious leaders couldn’t produce the body. That’s because they were looking for the dead amongst the dead. Silly them. Jesus had said over and over again that He had to suffer and die, BUT that He would rise again. Still even Jesus followers didn’t get the hint, so the angels had to tell the ladies who came to the tomb that Sunday morning the truth. You don’t look for the living amongst the dead - Jesus is no longer in the grave because He is alive! That, my friends, is why the disciples were willing to risk it all. Not for a dead man, but for the Risen Savior, the Son of God!

​Ivan