When Jesus rose from the dead, it was hard for his friends to believe it. When Mary Magdalene found the tomb empty, she at first thought someone had moved the body (John 20:13). When some women heard the angelic message about the risen Lord and told the apostles, "they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense" (Luke 24:11). Even when Jesus stood right in front of them, they still had a hard time believing he was alive (Luke 24:37; Matthew 28:17). It seemed impossible.

But what was really impossible was that Jesus stay dead. Why? Because of what God said. God said in Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would die and then live again. Jesus could stay in the tomb only if God was lying--and it is impossible for God to lie.

Why else was it impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus? Because of who Jesus is: he is God the Son, the Almighty Lord of life. When he entered the realm of death, it became a contest between God's power and death's power. Death didn't have a chance.

Could death stop Jesus from rising? Impossible! Can you trust the risen Christ and yet be rejected by God? Impossible! Can you belong to the risen Christ and remain the same old person? Impossible! Can anything separate you from God's love in Christ? Impossible! Can death keep its hold on you? Impossible! Can anything stop the Lord from wiping away our tears and making everything new? Impossible!

PRAYER--Nothing is too hard for you... O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are your purposes and mighty are your deeds. Glory to you, risen Christ. Amen. (Jeremiah 32:17-19)