Several years ago, a lot of interest surrounded a television documentary bringing into question the resurrection of Jesus Christ. A team of researchers had uncovered a tomb outside of Jerusalem that bore the names of Joseph, Mary, and Jesus. This “discovery” led some to believe that the resurrection story was in fact a hoax begun by Jesus’ disciples that became entrenched in the early church, eventually becoming a part of the gospel account.
If true, to the minds of unbelievers, Christianity would have to take its place with the other religions of the world. No longer could its followers claim, unlike other religions, that the tomb along with its founder was empty. No longer could they claim that Jesus was God in the flesh or that his death paid the sin debt for humankind. No longer could they claim that salvation is found in no one else.
The apostle Paul addressed that same question not many years after the death of Jesus in writing to the Corinthian church. Concerning the resurrection, he concluded that if Christ had not been raised, then their faith in him was useless and they were nothing more than false witnesses. Moreover, they were still in their sins, separated from God, and lost for all eternity. But in declaring that condition, Paul used the word “if,” which declares a supposed condition, not a fact. (My dad used to use a familiar statement that illustrated a supposed condition: “If a frog had wings, it wouldn’t bump its rear when it jumped.”)
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul turns the “if” on its head by stating unequivocally that Christ did in fact die for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. To those that might possibly question the validity of scriptures, he provides personal testimonies of the resurrected Jesus appearing to his disciples, to more than five hundred on another occasion, and finally to him personally.
Any wonder why Paul could declare with absolute certainty and conviction to the resurrection of Jesus Christ? Any wonder why the disciples were willing to die for that same certainty and conviction? Any wonder why the lives of so many through the following centuries have been changed because of their certainty and conviction concerning the resurrection?
The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of Christianity. It is our hope, our confidence, and our assurance that eternal life is found in no one else. We need never fear that the body of Jesus will be found in a tomb. He is alive and well, seated at the right hand of the Father in glory and in the hearts and lives of all the faithful in the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
As we celebrate this Easter, allow the assurance of the Risen Savior to bring renewed confidence in your walk of faith and lift you to new heights of joy and praise.
To His Glory,
Pastor Bill