My friend said to me something like this: “I think I’ve got you! I’ve figured something out. Without the resurrection you’ve got nothing.” He was somewhat light-hearted about it, having not carefully thought through the evidence. He assumed anyone with any knowledge would reject outright the possibility of the resurrection.
He had no way of knowing that he was making the same argument the apostle Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 15.
14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. (1Co 15:14-15 ESV)
My friend Doug was right; without the resurrection, we have nothing. Of course, there is evidence worth examining that Jesus Christ rose from the dead in the presence of many witnesses. This evidence shows that He appeared not just before a few close followers, but that as many as 500 saw Him at one time. Over 40 days after His crucifixion He continued to meet with His disciples and instruct them.
Thus the resurrection of Christ is the Day of days. If it didn’t happened, or was only imagined or somehow wished into existence, than it is nothing. If it occurred, it is everything, for then God has entered our world, in person, in peace, to offer us life with Him. So this Sunday is our “Super Bowl” every year. We celebrate the reality that we serve a risen Christ. He is our life!
He is risen, and His word to us (whether in the gospels or delivered through His apostles) is faithful and shows us how to live in Christ, and having believed in His name, how to live in this world. It is good to take time to be reminded of the central saving event in the history of the world. It is good to remember, believe, receive from God, and reconnect with Christ’s call to follow Him.
It is also a good Sunday to bring a friend, and give him or her a chance to think about the central truth claim of the Christian faith - that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and rose again from the dead for our justification. Why not invite some friends that don’t have a church or are who are just beginning to explore the Christian faith? It is our Day of days! Perhaps the Lord would move in them to help them join the party!
In Him,
Don