Have you ever noticed how people can experience the exact same moment and tell it completely differently? Same event, same place, same time—but somehow, different details.
I learned this the hard way as a kid. My sister, who is four years older than me, and I were at the top of our stairs. And when I say “playing,” I mean she was chasing me. These weren’t soft, carpeted stairs either—these were wood and tile, the kind that don’t forgive. Somewhere in the middle of that “fun,” I went head over heels down the stairs and knocked myself out cold.
Now if you ask me, that was clearly her fault. If you ask her? “Oh, we were just playing! He tripped! I tried to catch him!” Same moment, different details. And here’s the thing—it doesn’t necessarily mean one of us is completely wrong. It just means we experienced it differently. The bigger the moment, the more that tends to happen.
When you read the resurrection of Jesus in Matthew 28, Mark 16, Luke 24, and John 20, you might notice something similar. There are differences. One account mentions two women at the tomb, another mentions a group, and another focuses on just one. One talks about guards, an earthquake, and a cover-up, while others don’t mention those details at all. Some include the disciples running to the tomb, and others don’t. In one account, an angel rolls the stone away, while in others it’s already moved.
If you’re being honest, you might wonder, “Doesn’t that make this less believable?” But what if the opposite is true? If all four accounts were identical, word-for-word, we might assume they got together and rehearsed it. Instead, we get four real perspectives, four angles, four voices. And the differences don’t weaken the story—they actually show us how real it is.
One of the most beautiful things about the resurrection story is who Jesus meets first. Not the powerful. Not the put-together. But ordinary people in the middle of grief. Women walking to a tomb with spices. Mary standing outside, weeping. No one woke up that morning expecting a miracle. They were just doing the next right thing. And that’s where Jesus met them.
Resurrection doesn’t wait for perfect faith—it meets us in real life. Maybe that’s where you are today. Not certain. Not strong. Just showing up. That’s exactly where Jesus meets people.
When the women arrive, they hear something incredible: “He is not here. He has risen.” And yet, they don’t immediately celebrate. There’s fear, confusion, and uncertainty. They heard the truth before they fully understood it. And honestly, that’s how faith often works. We live in a world that says, “Figure everything out first, then believe.” But resurrection flips that. Sometimes faith begins with trust before clarity. You don’t have to understand everything to receive what God is doing.
One of the most powerful moments in the resurrection story happens in John 20:11–18. Mary is standing outside the tomb, crying. Jesus is right there, but she doesn’t recognize Him—until He says her name. “Mary.” And in that moment, everything changes.
Because the resurrection isn’t just an event to believe in—it’s a Person to encounter. Jesus is not distant. He is personal. He knows your name, your story, and your pain. Resurrection becomes real when Jesus becomes personal.
Across all four accounts, people respond in different ways. Some run in fear. Some wrestle with doubt. Some fall in worship. Some go and tell others. But they all respond. No one stays neutral. And the same is true for us. The resurrection isn’t just something to think about—It's something to respond to.
Four accounts, different perspectives, one unchanging truth: Jesus is alive. And because JESUS is alive, Hope is alive, Grace is available, and your story is not over. The same Jesus who met Mary in her grief and the disciples in their doubt is the same Jesus who meets us today, right where we are.
So here’s a simple question:
How Will You Respond?
Maybe for you, it starts with a simple prayer: “Jesus, if You’re real, meet me here.” You don’t need perfect words or perfect faith—just an open heart.
The risen Jesus meets you where you are and invites you to respond in faith. And He is closer than you think.
The risen Jesus meets you where you are and invites you to respond in faith. And He is closer than you think.
Blessings,
Pastor Alex
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Discovering God is a fresh look at how God is moving in our lives. Rooted in the Crossroads Church community, we reflect on sermons, share stories, and explore everyday moments where God invites us to grow. Join us as we take steps toward Him together. Learn more at www.wearecrossroads.church.GIVE
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