Matthew 28:5-6
The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.”
As Easter quickly approaches and we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ, I would love to ask you a question. What does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you, personally?
This past week my husband and I along with some of our closest friends went and saw the movie, The Case for Christ, which I would now highly, highly recommend seeing. I read the book years ago, but was more than interested to see the movie.
As I watched the film unfold, a few familiar, but important truths about the resurrection of Jesus stood out to me.
1. We all have faith in something. The movie again reminded me we all have faith; we all believe in something. What that something is may be different for each of us, but regardless, we all put our faith in something or someone. When it comes to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whether you believe it is historical truth or not, you are exercising faith. I personally have chosen to place my faith in the historical reliability of the Scriptures and what they tell us about the resurrection. I have put my faith in the fact the resurrection of Jesus happened just as the Bible tells us it did. What about you? When it comes to the resurrection, what do you believe and on what are you basing your faith?
2. The Christian faith hinges on the resurrection. If the resurrection of Jesus didn’t happen, Christianity is a lie and our faith is useless. However, if the resurrection did occur, it is…well, everything. If Jesus actually defeated death and rose again to heaven, there is nothing more important in this life we will ever believe in then that singular event. The movie shared an abbreviated version of C.S. Lewis’ quote, “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” You see, if we don’t believe in the resurrection, then we don’t believe Jesus is the Savior of the world, but if we do, well, that takes us to point number three…
3. If you believe in the resurrection – you will not be the same. If you believe in the resurrection of Jesus, that he died a brutal death on a cross for your sin, that on the third day He rose again, and that He ascended into heaven where He waits for you, then everything in your life should change. If you believe in the resurrection, the only logical response is to seek Jesus, accept His gift of forgiveness and salvation, and live in relationship with Him. Consider those who were eyewitnesses to Christ’s resurrection. Everything about their lives changed. Christ’s friends were completely transformed by His resurrection. The same should happen to us today. If we believe in the resurrection, our lives simply cannot go on as they once had.
So again I ask, what does the resurrection of Jesus mean to you, personally? If you are not completely sure what you believe, I would encourage you to get your questions answered. If you do believe the resurrection occurred as the Bible says, have you given your life to Christ and are you living in relationship with Him? If not, what needs to change?
Today, answer for yourself what the resurrection means to you. My prayer is this Easter you are able to celebrate the resurrection of your personal Savior and Lord. Happy Easter all!
