The Resurrection

According to the late German Marxist philosopher Ernst Bloch, “It wasn’t the morality of the Sermon on the Mount which enabled Christianity to conquer Roman Paganism, but the belief that Jesus had been raised from the dead.” If Christianity was simply based on Jesus’ moral teachings it might have flourished for a while, but would have never lasted. It was Christ’s resurrection that validated the undying faith of so many. (1 Corinthians 15:17, 19)

When Paul spoke to the philosophers in Athens, the intellectual center of the world, he preached Jesus and his resurrection. (Acts 17:18) This message was so remarkable and amazing that it turned the “world upside down.” (Acts 17:6) He told them God had given assurance to all men because he raised Jesus from the dead. (Acts 17:31) Jesus was not some dead teacher, martyred prophet, or philosopher! He was the risen Christ. He conquered what no one else could – death!

When Mary Magdalene, Salome, and the mother of James brought spices to anoint Christ’s body it must have been a sight to behold. As they approached the tomb they were discussing how they would roll the great stone away so they could access the body. When they looked they could see the stone was already rolled away.

“… And entering into the sepulcher, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, ‘Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him.’” (Mark 16:1-6)

Christ had risen from the dead! He was alive – and still is today!

His resurrection assured that death is not final which many had wondered about. Even in Job’s darkest hour he clung to the hope of a resurrection. “If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come.” (Job 14:14)

Christ’s resurrection erased all doubt in anyone’s mind. Death no longer held man in bondage. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” Christ’s resurrection was not only his victory, but ours, too. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Because of this victory Christ lives…and because Christ lives, we can live also. (Romans 6:8-11)

No wonder Christianity spread. Who could compete with these facts? Christ lived. Christ died. Christ was resurrected. Christ lives.

This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.