The empty tomb is not to be overlooked. It is one of the most (if not the most) important evidences of Jesus’ resurrection. The most convincing evidence to me, however, is the testimony of his disciples. I hope and I pray that my faith is strong enough that I would die before denying that Jesus is God. So many have been killed for their faith throughout history and, sadly, it still happens today.

Such a faith is not rare, however. Many people from all faiths are willing to die for what they believe to be the truth. How many, however, are willing to die for what they know to be a lie? I would venture to say none. Yet that is exactly what 10 of Jesus’ original 12 disciples did, if he did not, in fact, rise from the dead (one died of old age and another, as people familiar with the Gospels know, betrayed Jesus and later committed suicide).

Not one, but 10 people. All willing to die for the statement that Jesus of Nazareth appeared to them in bodily form after he was crucified. Chalk one up to a mental disorder. But 10? No, these people truly believed that they had seen the risen Christ, and they chose to die rather than deny it. We’re not talking about assassination, either. We’re talking about death by torture.