Mountaintop Musings: Resurrection Reality!

Last Sunday the world celebrated Easter. The first Easter was the day in which the disciples and enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ discovered that the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus had laid the body of Jesus was empty. The disciples of Jesus were perplexed and sorrowful over the empty tomb. Even though Jesus had been telling them for months, and even years that He would be rejected, crucified (he often used the term "lifted up") and then rise from the dead after three days, in their sorrow and confusion they did not understand the events of history they were living in.

Although the disciples of Jesus were truly committed to him, witnessed the miracles and listened to his teaching, they did not have a complete understanding of who he really was until the reality of his resurrection. Even though Jesus had spent three years preparing them for this moment in time, they were overwhelmed with sorrow and fear. It seemed the preparations Jesus had put in to place were wasted. However, when the disciples saw the risen Lord, talked with him and ate with him then they knew without a doubt that all he had told was true.

If the resurrection of Jesus were a lie, then the disciples who died as martyrs died for a lie. If the resurrection of Jesus did not occur then, Jesus was not the Son of God come in the flesh and would be considered a lunatic by some as he died for a delusion. Some have said Jesus resuscitated after being placed in the tomb. If this were so, then the professional executioners who oversaw his crucifixion really blew it. They broke the legs of the two thieves who were crucified with him, but not Jesus' as he was already dead. The Roman soldiers were highly unlikely to mistakenly allow a living man to be taken off the instrument of death. Failure to complete the execution of a criminal could result in their own death. Also, the mixture of water and blood that flowed from the spear wound in Jesus' side is a medical fact of the physiological reaction of a body that has died from crucifixion.

There are many good books written explaining why Jesus' resurrection is a historical fact. The most important one is the Holy Bible. I encourage you to read the four Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. At least read the last few chapters of each Gospel to read four eyewitness accounts of this history making, and life changing event.

Easter is not about religious activities or chocolate bunnies. It is about God looking out on the sea of humanity, seeing the brokenness and separation that sin brings between Him and us, and providing the only way for mankind to be in right relationship with Him for all eternity. The empty tomb teaches us that Jesus is a loving savior; a risen savior; an empowering savior and a returning savior.

In closing I invite you to read Hebrews 2:14. This verse speaks of the humanity of Christ and how Jesus has defeated the devil's power over man. Read Romans 4:25 to understand that Jesus was raised for our justification (a word that means those who receive Jesus as Savior are viewed as never having broken God's laws because they trust in the one who paid the penalty for their sins...Jesus!).

I invite you to search the scriptures, the Holy Bible, and prepare your heart for Easter. Yes, even though the day we call "Easter" has passed, each of us must have our hearts ready to accept that the tomb was empty, and Jesus is whom he said he was. And if we do not accept that then we must be prepared for the alternative, which is hope for the best. For me, I believe the Bible and that the only alternative available to an empty tomb and resurrected Jesus and life in heaven is the fires of hell (Lake of Fire as described in Revelation). I would ask you to prepare your heart for Christ. Prepare your heart for the unknown of this life and for the certainty of Heaven for those who believe (John 3:16).

(Dave & Lisa Carroll are area missionaries with Infaith America's oldest Christian home mission agency. You can contact Dave at 406.459.8935.)