1 Samuel 3:21 And the Lord appeared again in Shiloh: for the Lord revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the Lord.

Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Romans 3:22a Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:

John 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

John 7:16 Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Hebrews 13:9a,b Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;

John 1:16 And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

1 John 4:17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.

Matthew 27:51-53 And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

Please note this minor point; it was many, not all who were risen. They appeared unto many but not all.

Now put yourself into that time and place as one who hears about dead relatives of others having risen and been seen, but not yours and not with your own eyes.

What is your reaction? What are you hearing? What questions do you have for these witnesses?

If you can place yourself into that moment and realize the enormity of the moment and feel the doubt as to the validity of what you are hearing, good.

Now take that new understanding and carry it with you as you witness to a lost and dying world so that you might better understand them.

We who believe are the risen. You are going to reach many, but not all. We get to be a witness of once being dead, but now live. How believable are you to those who have not yet seen? Maybe understanding their doubts, fears and perhaps even anger, might help you reach them, touch them, comfort them, and draw them nearer to our risen Christ.

I do not know what the risen from Matthew 27 had to say. I can only imagine. I only know what I have seen and what happened to me.

I know what it felt like to be dead. I know what it feels like to be risen.

Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.