One of the greatest joys of my preaching life has been to be able to talk of Jesus resurrection. So many times we focus on His death and burial, but the most important thing was His resurrection. Paul says so in I Corinthians 15:
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and hat he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. vss. 3-8
There are those who say the resurrection is a myth. Let me offer four things that settle the issue in my mind. First, it was claimed that the apostles stole Jesus body. If that were the case, then why weren't the guards killed. The loss of a prisoner was a capital offense. Life for life. Instead, the Bible says the guards were paid to say that. Second, if Jesus didn't rise from the dead, why didn't the officials produce a body? That would have ended all speculation there. Three, did you see all the people to whom Jesus appeared? Peter, the Twelve, five hundred brothers, James, the apostles, and then to Paul himself. It would be hard to dispute that many eye witnesses. Fourth, if this was all a hoax, why did the Twelve allow themselves to be martyred? Why would you die for a hoax?
In John's account of the resurrection, the word "saw" or some form of it is used three times. Yet in the Greek language three different words are used.
V. 5--"Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths lying there but he did not go in." The Greek word for "saw" there is to see without understanding. He was puzzled.
V. 6--"Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there." This time the word "saw" means that it was examined for the purpose of investigation. The word is the word we get our word "theory" from. That makes sense, doesn't it? Peter has his own theory about what happened.
V. 8--"The other disciple who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw and believed." This time, the word "saw" means to perceive with understanding. He got it! Jesus was alive! He remembered all the times Jesus told them what was to happen. How many times had he heard it? But now it clicks!
Doesn't this describe our Christian walk, our journey? We see Jesus and we really don't understand Him. We don't know why He would love someone like us. Then we start to delve into His word and start to examine our lives and to reason why He would die for us. Then, finally it clicks. Although we may not completely understand, we fall at His feet and proclaim Him as our Lord.
The resurrection was the theme of the early church and it should be ours. Paul said it's the gospel on which we make our stand. And Paul makes a bold proclamation that excites me and should excite you, too. He says these words:
"By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also." I Corinthians 6:14
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