He’s Alive!

You simply can’t overstate the bedrock importance for Christianity of Jesus rising from the dead.  The resurrection is the key­stone at the very center of God’s grand arch spanning from history to eternity, bridging over the chasm of sin and death:  without it, the whole structure of salvation comes tumbling down.

This, of course, means the resurrection—Christ’s historical, physical return from death to life—is not one of those peripheral points or secondary issues on which believers may feel free to disagree.  No, it’s pivotal and essential.  I base this on the compelling case made in 1 Corinthians 15:14-19.  If Jesus Christ was not raised from the dead…

• Faith in Jesus Christ is useless and futile.
• Preaching the Gospel and sharing your faith are in vain.
• Believers are false witnesses—we’re liars (about Jesus’ death and about our future beyond this life).
• Believers are still in their sins—i.e., not forgiven, guilty of violating God’s justice and holiness, enemies of God.
• Christians who’ve died are hopelessly lost forever.
• We’re a pitiful lot—more pitiful than any other people on earth.

In fact, the only way we can know that the death of Christ accomp­lished all that God intended, and that it satisfied the demands of his justice, and that it was sufficient to bear the guilt of sinners, is by the exclamation point of resurrection at the end of the sentence.  With­out Jesus’ resurrection, he remains in the tomb and our penalty is not paid and the wrath of the Father is not satisfied:  all is lost!

As you reflect on the importance of Jesus’ resurrection, I hope it strikes you as glorious and breathtaking!  Giving mental assent to Bible truths is crucial, but crucial as well is “getting it” deep down in your soul.  The resurrection is no mere fact:  it’s God’s stroke of victory in the battle against sin, Satan, and death (does your heart leap up and cheer?).  And it’s the ray of hope for all who trust Jesus for true eternal life!  Stand in awe:  Christ the Lord is risen today!

(The above image gives an artistic portrayal of the resurrected Christ raising Adam and Eve to life, pulling them from their tombs.  It is entitled “Anastasis”—Greek for “resurrection”—and appears in the Chora Church in Istanbul.  Click here for more information.)