Those who saw Him after His crucifixion were eager to tell others what the angels said:
He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. (Matthew 28:6 KJV)
The first ten words in that verse are life changing. The man who died on the cross was not in the tomb guarded by soldiers. He was alive. He had risen. The resurrection had come – and continued. He, himself, had told the disciples that He must die, and He would not stay dead.
Others had said that. There tombs are open to us and bodies exist. The Jewish leaders at that time were concerned that his body would be stolen away and people would then believe the prophecies, so they asked (again) for Roman help:
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch. (Matthew 27:62-66 KJV)
The Jews knew that the “deceiver” had said “After three days I will rise again.” While they didn’t believe Him, they knew rebellion would grow if people could be convinced that Jesus did fulfill even more prophecy. They got their permission. They sat their watch. Nothing happened that first night, or the second, but that morning of the first day of the week:
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. (Matthew 28:2-5 KJV)
There are still people who are taught that Jesus did not die on the cross, that he was taken down alive and nursed to health by followers. There are people who see it all as a myth, that there was no such person to begin with, but this was a conspiracy among a group of Jews. Neither one of those has a shred of proof – contemporaneous or of later denial. There is considerable written proof of the changes in that first century of the “Common Era” or “Christian Era” or even “Anno Domine”, the Year of Our Lord.
Yes, even the calendar we use today tracing years was changed due to Jesus’ death. It is off a few years, but it is because of Christ that we use 2020 on our calendars. All of the books of the New Testament were written in that first century. John, writer of several of those books, lived through the majority of that century – and wrote the last book while in exile because he would not renounce what he saw.
What do you believe? Do you believe the premise in Genesis 1:1 that a single being created the heavens and the earth? Do you believe John 1:1 that the existing Word of God inhabited a human body created specifically for that existence? Do you believe that being in Genesis 1:1 also spoke the words of John 3:16-18? That God does so love the world that He still cares about everyone in it. That this verse has not changed:
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9 KJV)
God has not “sent” anyone to hell. He simply prepared a place for those who do not believe He exists, will not learn of Him, and decline to participate in what He has promised those who love Him. They made a choice, just as we who believe have made a choice.
Do you believe? Why? Or, why not? Be certain you can explain your choice - if only to yourself.
