An Easter Message
Without the resurrection of Christ, our faith is a house of cards.
In his book titled Case for Christ1, Lee Strobel tells the true story of his thorough investigations into the historical reliability, eyewitness testimonies, and scientific evidence for Jesus’s birth, ministry, and resurrection. As a ex-journalist and former atheist, Strobel’s spiritual journey was sparked by his wife’s conversion to Christianity, which occurred shortly before the events recorded in this book.
As he gathered facts and held cross-examinations with various experts who had doctorates and specializations in the areas of old manuscripts, textual criticism, and biblical studies, Strobel arrived at the point where he could not discountenance the compelling evidence for the New Testament and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. This eventually led to a shift in his stance on the subject of God’s existence and a conversion into the faith.
Like him, many people have tried to disprove the truth of Jesus’ resurrection but have found substantial proof outside biblical records that attest to the factuality of this event. Over time, science, historians, research work and archeological findings have and continue to provide evidence for the Messiah’s First Coming and the Scriptures.
Why is the resurrection a big deal to those outside the faith? Why do some people who claim to not believe in the Triune God spend their time conducting studies that seek to refute the inerrancy and infallibility of God’s Word? Why do many engage in debates that try to contest the validity of the Gospels and Christ’s resurrection from the dead?
The answer is simple: Without the Resurrection, our Christian faith will be incomplete.
In his first letter to the Corinthian church, Paul addressed certain remarks that had been made about the resurrection being void, while arguing that the Christian faith would be a house of cards if Jesus did not rise from the dead [1 Corinthians 15]. This is true because His rising from the dead signifies the triumph and victory over the devil which has been won by God for the believer. [Colossians 2:10-15]
However, the enemy tries to prevent many from grasping the magnitude of Christ’s offering and a need for Him in their lives. With an increase of apostasy in the world today, there seems to be a dwindling interest in a handful of believers’ hearts as regards soul-winning; we are instead distracted by the pursuit of affairs that are of less value to the Father.
This post is to remind you and I about the purpose of Christ’s resurrection, our need to treasure this gift from the Father, and a call to share the Gospel message to those around us who are in thick darkness of sin and slavery to the destroyer.
Without Christ’s resurrection, No one can be born-again None can receive the gift of new life
Without Christ’s resurrection, We would not be sealed with the Holy Ghost We have no victory over sin and death
Without Christ’s resurrection, We have no authority over the works of darkness There is no hope for His Second Coming
Without Christ’s resurrection, We cannot be endued with divine power on earth None can serve God in Spirit and truth
Without Christ’s resurrection, There will be no communion with the Trinity The Good News will be incomplete
Without Christ’s resurrection, Our faith will not be real No one can gain eternal life
Without Christ’s resurrection, We cannot receive spiritual bodies on the Last Day There can be no new heaven or earth
Without Christ’s resurrection, We are the most miserable
As you celebrate this season, may you reflect on the essence of Christ’s love sacrifice on the Cross, and be led to totally surrender and reciprocate His love in your daily living. Above all, may His resurrection power quicken your total being into a deeper commitment to Him, and spur you to invite others into this great salvation that He won for us all.
Happy Easter!
Lee Strobel (2016, November 22) The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus.