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What about Easter?

 

Easter, as hopefully you know, is our celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus.  It is central to our faith.   The earliest written account of Jesus’ resurrection, scholars believe, is found in Paul’s first letter to the people of Corinth, chapter 15.  He recounts, starting in verse 3, "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the scriptures, and that He appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.  Then He appeared to more than 500 of the brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep.  Then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles.  Last of all, as though to one born at the wrong time, He appeared to me also.”   

 

Paul is trying to convince the people of Corinth that the resurrection of Jesus did in fact happen, for many were skeptical back then, just as they are today.  He says, “it did happen!  He appeared to all these people, and you can go talk to some of them still.  He actually (and finally) appeared even to me!"

 

And Paul continues (verse 14): “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is futile and your faith is empty.” and verse 17 and 19: "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins ... For if only in this life we have hope in Christ, we should be pitied more than anyone.”

 

Easter is when we recognize that Jesus did rise from the dead, that our faith is not based on illusion and misunderstanding, but historical fact, and the implication of Him rising from the dead is twofold: 1.) He is alive and with us right now, and 2.) we have our own resurrection to look forward to.

 

This makes no sense to humans: who has ever seen a person rise from the dead?  It made no sense to people back in Jesus’ day, either, which is why the disciples didn’t understand Jesus meant it literally when He was warning them this was necessary to happen.  But it did happen, for it made sense to God.  And, by the grace of God, your heart has been opened to this truth, so that through the risen Christ you may find communion with God, and yes, resurrection with Him.  If you struggle with this reality, I pray you encounter belief in the risen Christ today in some way, so that you may affirm with the church world-wide since the time of Paul, “Christ is Risen!  Our Lord is Risen indeed!”

 

Happy Easter.

 

+David