When Jesus was crucified and laid in a dark tomb, the disciples were bewildered. It was not Good Friday to them – it was more like Black Friday. But the followers of Christ were soon to learn some world changing lessons from Easter.

First - FRUIT REQUIRES DEATH. There can be no fruit unless a seed is planted, dies, germinates, and then produces new life. In speaking about his death on the cross, Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies it produces much grain” (John 12:23-26). Jesus calls us to die to sin, to self, and to the world that we may live a fruitful new life.

I don’t like the barrenness of winter. The leafless trees poking into the grey sky look like skeletons. Jesus died on Calvary – which means “place of the skull”. He was placed in a borrowed tomb – but on the third day he arose bringing new life, hope, and fruitfulness to all who would accept and trust him as Savior and Lord.

Second – THE FORCE OF CHRIST’S RESURRECTION. Jesus exclaimed, “On this rock I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:21-23). The disciples did not fully understand the mighty force of Christ’s death and resurrection.

In his book The Anvil, Max Lucado describes it this way, “There is something about a living testimony that gives us courage. Once we see someone else emerging from life’s dark tunnels, we realize that we too can overcome . . . In the eyes of humanity, death was still the black veil that separated them from joy. There was no victory over the hooded foe . . . It was left to the Son of God to disclose the true nature of this force. It was on the cross that the showdown occurred . . . Christ emerged from death’s tunnel, lifted a triumphant fist toward the sky, and freed all from the fear of death.” “Death has been swallowed up in victory” (I Corinthians 15:54).

Third – FAITH IS THE VICTORY. The disciples were stricken with fear and grief. Thomas declared his unbelief. Jesus appeared and said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here and look at my hands and reach your hand here and put it into my side. Do not be unbelieving but believing.” Thomas answered and said, “My Lord and My God!” (John 20:24-28) Do you believe in the living Christ? “And this is the victory that overcomes the world – our faith” (I John 5:4 NKJV).

Fourth – FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE SCRIPTURES. When John looked into the empty tomb “he saw and believed. For as yet they did not know the scripture that he must rise again from the dead” (John 20:9). On the Emmaus road, Jesus opened the scriptures to two of his followers. (Luke 252:13-29) Many are deceived and defeated by not knowing the scriptures. “But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and believing you may have life in His name” (John 20:30-13).