“We remember, while He was still alive, how that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise’” (Mt 27:63). “When He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered…” (Jn 2:22). His enemies remembered after He died, but His disciples didn’t remember until after He rose!
J.K. Johnston tells a story about a town that had historically been “dry,” but then a businessman decided to build a tavern. Some Christians were concerned and planned an all-night prayer meeting to ask God to intervene. It just so happened that shortly thereafter lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground. The owner sued the church, claiming their prayers caused the fire, but the church hired a lawyer to argue in court that they were not responsible.
The presiding judge, after his initial review of the case, stated that “no matter how this case comes out, some things are clear. The tavern owner believes in prayer and the Christians do not.” How important for believers to actually believe.