With the disciples abandoning him and his subsequent death on a cross, to many Jesus would have seemed defeated. Yet as he promised, he rose again on the 3rd day demonstrating that he had atoned for our sins and conquered death. This was no ghost story. The miracle and historical reality of Easter is that Jesus experienced a legitimate, full-bodily resurrection that brings living hope to all who follow him. Though the roman soldiers, chief priests & Pharisees tried to conceal the resurrection, as many in history have tried to do, the good news of the empty tomb & risen Lord prevailed.