Few people argue over the existence of a First Century Jewish man named Jesus. The historical record which supports the fact that such a man actually lived is hard to dispute. However, who that man really was and the significance of his life are often disputed.
Muslims view him as a powerful prophet and man of God. Hindus and Buddhists respect him as a wise teacher. Historians and scholars view him as everything from an insurrectionist to a folk hero. Of course, we, as Christians, affirm what Jesus said about himself and who scripture proclaims him to be...God incarnate, our Savior, and our King. With all of these differing opinions, who is right and who is wrong? How do we even know?
Well, in such matters, there is one important thing to consider. We must weigh the evidence. Do we find it credible and plausible? That's the question we all must answer. In the case of Jesus, there is a great deal of evidence recorded in the Bible. Witnesses to Jesus' life, ministry, miracles, death, and even his resurrection are referenced throughout its pages. For example, in 1 Corinthians 15, the Apostle Paul lists many people who saw the resurrected Jesus. "In fact," he says, "most of them are still alive, so if you don't believe me, you can simply go ask them yourself."
In spite of the Biblical witness, and the testimony of those recorded within, many skeptics still doubt the legitimacy and historicity of scripture. If one denies the validity of the Bible, there isn't much of a chance they are going to accept any of its claims to be true. Instead, opponents of Christianity seek to "debunk" the myths by developing hypotheses of their own. The religious leaders of Jesus' time simply claimed that his body was stolen by his disciples, despite the fact that they had taken immense precautions to prevent that very thing from happening. Modern "scholars" have become even more fantastical with their theories. One popular opinion is that Jesus, despite receiving perhaps the most viscous beating imaginable, then being crucified and stabbed in the heart; didn't actually die, but rather regained consciousness, mustered up the strength to roll away the massively heavy stone blocking his tomb, and then simply walked away to go find his friends. As a sane and thinking person (regardless of my faith), I think the miraculous resurrection is easier to believe, but maybe that is just me.
Here is my point. People don't believe in the resurrection of Jesus, because they don't want to. If that's true, then all of the rest of the stuff in the Bible must be true too. And if that's all true, we are all in a world of trouble...aren't we??? In many ways, for sinful men and women like us, ignorance in bliss. Living life for today with no concern for tomorrow and the bigger picture of eternity makes things much easier, because consequences, like time, are fleeting. Guilt and shame eventually fade away into the white noise of the world around us, that tempts and encourages us to just numb it all away with more...more excess...more of everything.
On the other hand, there are some who do believe. What is it that makes us different? Are we just more gullible than most? Again, writing in his first letter to the Church at Corinth, the Apostle Paul declares:
"And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied" (1 Corinthians 15:17-19).
In other words, if our faith and our hope is in a dead man, then we have no hope at all! Jesus did die. And if that were the end of the story, I don't think, despite even the greatest of efforts to keep his message alive, that we would be here today talking about him. On the contrary, everyone, from Muslims, to Buddhists, atheists to Christians, all talk about Jesus. True, not in the same way, but his power and the power of his Gospel demand a response. There is no impartiality when it comes to Jesus. You either accept him...fully, or you reject him...fully.
To accept him is to give your life over to him and follow after him in wilful submission. To do anything less, quite simply, is to reject him. Some might call that a drastic over simplification of things, but I would contend that the evidence proves otherwise.
Jesus claimed to be God in the flesh, come to redeem and save his people. Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience to the law of God. He was in every way the second and better Adam. Jesus taught his followers that he would bear the weight of man's sin and that he would give (not have it taken) his life so that we might live, because the wages of sin is death.
So Jesus died, just like he said he would, but the story goes on. You see, the resurrection is the smoking gun. It is the proof that everything that came before it, and everything that follows are true. If the story ended with Jesus dead in the grave, then there would be no reason to hope in him, because he was just a man. However, in the end, death had no power over him, and the grave could not hold him, because he is everything he claimed to be and so much more. He is the one true God...perfect and holy!
Therefore, if Jesus is God, then he, and he alone, deserves and rightfully demands all of our praise and worship. This is why I say there is no middle ground with Jesus, and why the resurrection is the linchpin of our faith.
"Do not be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for he has risen, as he said." According to Matthew, these were the words spoken by angels to comfort the first of Jesus' followers to find the empty tomb. Nearly two thousand years later, these same words bring us comfort and peace still today. The tomb is empty. Death has been defeated. Let us rejoice in that proclamation of victory today, tomorrow, and each and every day or our lives. On that solid foundation, rests all of our hope.
In Grace,
Chris Morris
If you missed this week's sermon (or just want to listen again), follow the link below to listen. Or subscribe to our podcast in iTunes.
Part 99 - The Resurrection
Questions discussed in this sermon:
1. How do we reconcile the differences in the 4 accounts of the resurrection?
2. How many appearances did Jesus make after His resurrection?
3. What does the resurrection mean to Christians?
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