Some people may still have difficulty believing that Jesus is alive. Well, that’s okay, for even the disciples had difficulty believing. In fact, Thomas said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe” (John 20:25, NKJV).

Consequently, Jesus told Thomas to do exactly what he said would cause him to believe. Jesus said, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” (John 20:27, NLT)

Scripture does not indicate whether Thomas actually touched Jesus’ scar or placed his hand in the wound in his side, but what we do know is that after seeing Jesus, Thomas was convinced that He is alive, so much so that he had one of the greatest revelations ever. Thomas realized that Jesus is God. He said, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28)

After Thomas’ declaration, Jesus said, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” (John 20:29) Jesus’ statement applies to us today. We have not seen Jesus, yet we believe that He is alive. Why? We have faith, but even more than faith, we have proof of His resurrection. The proof is the Holy Ghost or the Spirit of God that lives within us.

Jesus said, And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever;  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you…. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:16-18, 26)

Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. (John 16:7)

Jesus spoke to his disciples about the Comforter or the Holy Ghost, which He said would come only after He departed. Now of course, Jesus would not have departed unless He had completed His mission—dying for humanity’s sin. So in essence, for Jesus to depart, two things had to happen. He had to die, and He had to be resurrected. Similarly, for the Holy Ghost to come, Jesus had to depart.

Ultimately, both Jesus’ departure and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost hinged upon His resurrection, and thankfully, we have evidence that both have occurred. In the Old Testament Joel prophesied about the outpouring of the spirit.

He said,  “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit” (28-29).

The outpouring of the spirit first occurred on the day of Pentecost, and since then, God has not ceased to outpour His Spirit.

Acts 2:1-4 says, “And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Finally, there is no doubt that Jesus departed to heaven because the Holy Ghost has come. Remember Jesus said, “…it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” (John 16:7)

Conclusion

We are not eyewitness to Jesus’ resurrection; nevertheless, we have proof through the Holy Ghost that Jesus is alive, and if that were not enough, the book of Revelation gives us even more assurance. Here is what Jesus said to John, “…Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:17-18)

In other words, Jesus is alive; therefore, both sin and death have been defeated. First Corinthians 15:54-57 says, “ Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory.  O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)