“For if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then all our preaching is useless, and your faith is useless. And if our hope in Christ is only for this life, we are more to be pitied than anyone in the world” (1 Corinthians 15: 13-14, 19).
Jesus’ resurrection is the key to the Christian faith. Just as He said that He would rise from the dead and He did, we can be confident, therefore, that He will accomplish all He has promised. His bodily resurrection shows us that the living Christ was not a false prophet or imposter, but the Ruler of God’s eternal Kingdom. Therefore, we can be certain of our own resurrection because He was raised. Death is not the end, there is a future life. The divine power that brought Jesus back to life is now available to us to bring our spiritually dead selves back to life.
The Resurrection affirms the truthfulness of Jesus’ life and words. The Resurrection confirms Jesus’ unique authority to say, “I am the Resurrection and the Life” (John 11: 25). Because He rose, we have certainty that our sins are forgiven. Because He rose, He lives and intercedes for us before God. Because He rose and defeated death, we know we also will be raised. Christ’s resurrection guaranteed both His promise to us and His authority to make that promise. We must take Him at His word and believe Him.
The Resurrection is the basis for the church’s witness to the world. People who hear about the Resurrection for the first time may need time before they can comprehend this amazing story. Like Mary and the disciples, at first, they may think the story is a fabrication, impossible to believe (John 20: 2). Like Peter, they could check out the facts and still be puzzled about what happened (John 20: 6); only when they encounter Jesus personally are they able to accept the fact of the Resurrection (John 20: 16). Then, as they commit themselves to the risen Lord and devote their lives to serving Him, they begin to understand fully the reality of His presence with them (John 20: 28).
The truth of Christianity rests heavily on the Resurrection. If Jesus rose from the grave, who saw Him (John 20: 11-18, 26-31; Matthew 28: 8-10, 16-20; Mark 16: 12-13; 1 Corinthians 15: 5-7)? How trustworthy were the witnesses? Those who claimed to have seen the risen Jesus went on to turn the world upside down. Most of them also died for being followers of Christ. These are the people who saw Jesus risen from the grave, and ascended into heaven (Luke 24: 44-49; Acts 1: 3 -8).
We cannot meet Christ until we discover that He is indeed alive, that His tomb is empty. Are you filled with joy by this good news, and do you share it with others? God intended His saving message to go out to the whole world. His ultimate victory is seen when death, our ultimate enemy, is defeated. (Isaiah 25: 8).
Have a Victorious life experience as you celebrate the Risen Lord!
Your brother, Vicar & Archdeacon
Igein Isemede