Dear fellow travelers,
As you engage with the world, you will encounter people who question your faith. Some will say that Jesus never rose from the dead, that Christianity is just another religion, or that faith is blind belief without evidence.
But I want you to know this: your faith is based on solid, undeniable truth.
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most well-documented and transformative event in history. It is not just a religious belief—it is a fact that changed the world.
1. The Resurrection is a Fact: The Evidence is Overwhelming
A. Eyewitness Testimony is Unmatched in History
• The resurrection was witnessed by over 500 people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6).
• Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, the disciples, and even His skeptical brother James (John 20:11-29; 1 Corinthians 15:7).
• Paul, who persecuted Christians, saw Jesus alive and became the greatest missionary in history (Acts 9:1-22).
• Every Gospel account aligns, and historians confirm they were written within the lifetimes of the eyewitnesses. If they were false, people alive at the time would have exposed them.
If people trust history books about Caesar, Napoleon, or Aristotle, then they must also trust the New Testament—because it has more evidence than all of them combined.
B. The Empty Tomb: Even Jesus’ Enemies Admitted It
• If Jesus did not rise, where was the body? The Jewish leaders desperately wanted to stop Christianity—all they had to do was produce Jesus’ body, but they couldn’t.
• Roman soldiers were stationed at the tomb (Matthew 27:62-66). The idea that a group of fearful disciples overpowered highly trained soldiers is absurd.
• The stone was massive—It would take multiple men to move it. How did a small group of disciples do it unnoticed?
The empty tomb is an undeniable fact, and the only explanation that fits the evidence is Jesus actually rose from the dead.
2. The Changed Lives of the Apostles Prove the Resurrection
• Before the resurrection: The disciples were fearful, hiding, and denying Jesus (Peter denied Him three times).
• After the resurrection: They became bold, fearless, and willing to die rather than deny what they saw.
Ask yourself:
Why would they suffer, be tortured, and die for something they knew was false?
If Watergate (a conspiracy with just a few men) collapsed in two weeks, how could 12 uneducated men maintain a lie while being tortured for decades? They couldn’t—unless it was true.
3. Prophecies About Jesus Were Fulfilled with Impossible Accuracy
Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies written centuries before His birth.
Some examples:
• Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 → Matthew 2:1)
• Betrayed for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12 → Matthew 26:15)
• Crucified with criminals (Isaiah 53:12 → Luke 23:33)
• Hands and feet pierced (Psalm 22:16 → John 20:27)
• Resurrected from the dead (Psalm 16:10 → Acts 2:31)
The mathematical probability of one man fulfilling just 8 of these prophecies is one in 100,000,000,000,000,000—yet Jesus fulfilled over 300.
Jesus didn’t accidentally fulfill these—He was exactly who He claimed to be.
4. What Does This Mean for Us? From Christ’s Resurrection to Our Daily Lives
It is one thing to believe that Christ rose from the dead—but it is another to live in the truth of His resurrection.
The resurrection wasn’t just for the apostles—it was for us. Christ overcame death not only to prove who He is, but to transform us into the image of God.
But what does that look like in daily life?
This week’s homily gave us the answer:
• David spared Saul (1 Samuel 26)—He had every reason to kill Saul but showed mercy and trust in God.
• Jesus commanded love for enemies (Luke 6:27-38)—Not just kindness to those who are good to us, but love for those who have hurt us.
• We are called to reflect Christ (1 Corinthians 15:45-49)—Just as we bore the image of Adam in sin, we now bear the image of Christ in righteousness.
This leads to an important challenge: Forgiveness.
Who in your life has hurt you so deeply that the pain still lingers?
Jesus knows how hard it is to forgive. That is why, hanging on the cross, He still prayed for those who crucified Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
Forgiveness is not easy, but it frees us from bitterness and aligns us with God’s plan.
If Christ conquered death, then He can certainly conquer the pain inside us. If David chose mercy over revenge, then so can we.
5. We Are the Church: Imperfect but Called to Holiness
One of the most powerful statements from the homily was this:
“If we don’t have the Church—imperfect believers—then where would we go?”
The Church is not a place for perfect people. It is a place for the broken, for sinners who need healing, and for those who seek God’s grace.
God does not call us to be perfect—He calls us to be holy.
“Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:16)
Holiness is not about never making mistakes—it is about choosing to follow God, to forgive, to love, and to live in His image.
The resurrection is proof that God’s love for us is unstoppable.
6. Final Challenge: What Will You Do With This Truth?
Paul concludes 1 Corinthians 15 with this:
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” (1 Corinthians 15:58)
This means:
• Stand firm—Your faith is built on solid historical truth.
• Be bold—The apostles risked their lives to tell the world. Will you?
• Serve others—Hebrews 6:10 says God does not forget those who serve in His name.
God has a great plan for you. You are here to build His kingdom. Have the courage to profess God’s existence.
Whenever doubts arise, remember:
“Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)
Jesus is alive—and that truth will never change.
With all my love and prayers,
John Schmidt
True Strength
Life brings challenges that can feel overwhelming, but we must remember: our struggles do not define us—our response to them does. There is power in perseverance, in refusing to let hardship steal the light within us.
A powerful message once written on a hospital room door serves as a reminder of this strength:
“If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds are a gift. I got in this condition doing what I love, supporting the family I love. I will recover. That will be an absolute victory—if physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that much further through sheer mental tenacity. This room is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere.”
This mindset is a testament to the power of the human spirit and God’s promise to sustain us in our trials:
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” — Philippians 4:13
No matter how dark the valley, no matter how deep the pain, there is always a way forward. There is always a reason to keep fighting. The world needs the gifts God has placed within you. Your story is still being written.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11
So if you find yourself in a place of despair, hold on. Do not surrender to the weight of this moment. Choose to fight. Choose to grow. Choose to believe in the strength within you.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” — Psalm 34:18
You are not alone, and you are needed. Keep going.