The resurrection of Jesus stands as history's most consequential miracle—yet who were the first witnesses to this world-changing event? This episode explores the fascinating accounts of those who discovered the empty tomb and encountered the risen Christ.

We begin by examining a cautionary tale—Thomas Jefferson's edited Bible that removed all miracles and ended at the sealed tomb. In stark contrast, Luke's Gospel introduces us to diverse eyewitnesses who testify to the supernatural reality of resurrection. From Joanna, the sophisticated wife of Herod's household manager, to Mary Magdalene, delivered from seven demons and a dark past, these witnesses span the social spectrum.

The evidence they encountered demands explanation. Peter and John discover grave clothes lying undisturbed in the shape of a body—but with no body inside. Mary, weeping outside the tomb, encounters angels and then Jesus himself, who calls her by name. These aren't fabricated tales but testimonies that transformed lives.

What makes this account particularly compelling is how it defies expectations. Jesus didn't march victoriously to confront his enemies after rising. Instead, he revealed himself first to ordinary followers, commissioning them as witnesses. The resurrection narrative challenges us with a profound question: How do you see the empty tomb? With skepticism, curiosity, or faith?

This message resonates today as we see university students writing the entire Gospel of John in chalk across two miles of campus sidewalks and hundreds being baptized. The resurrection continues to transform lives across social divides, offering hope that no past is too dark for God's redemptive power. How will you respond to the evidence of the empty tomb?

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