There have been many books, and many articles, and theses on the resurrection. And most of it focuses on how to prove the resurrection. If it is so central to Christian faith, how do we prove it? The Bible proves the resurrection. It is the Word of God, and it says Jesus Christ rose from the dead, and that settles it. And on the pages of Scripture, there is ample convincing evidence. But the question is what did the resurrection of Jesus Christ mean? The resurrection proves the truthfulness of the Word of God. In Peter's argument in Acts 2, "This Jesus God raised up again." The Old Testament predicts the resurrection of the Messiah. If the Messiah doesn't rise, the Bible is not telling us the truth. But the resurrection of Christ proves that the Bible speaks truth. The picture of a dead and risen Messiah is all over the Old Testament. Every time such sacrifice is noted in the Scripture, it speaks of a dying Messiah. But every time it talks about Messiah's reigning, and ruling, and kingdom, it speaks about a living Messiah, therefore it is obvious that the one who dies must come back to life. And the Scripture's veracity is at stake in the resurrection. And the resurrection proves the completion of the salvation of God. If Christ didn't rise, then all he is Jesus Christ superstar, and His death is the death of an ordinary man, and has no saving value. But He did rise from the dead. Jesus said in John 11:25, "I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me even though he dies, shall live again." So eternal life is dependent upon the resurrection. The salvation of God demanded eternal life, the coming of the Spirit, the forgiveness of sins, ongoing intercession, the bestowing of spiritual gifts, the granting of spiritual power, and the outpouring of eternal blessing, and all of that hinges on the resurrection. If Christ doesn't rise, none of it happens, none of it. The Lord Jesus Christ risen from the dead proves the truthfulness of the Word of God, the deity of the Son of God, the completion of the salvation of God, and the eternal bliss of the people of God. Everything depends on the resurrection. We will arise from the dead someday to the resurrection of life in His presence. All gospel realities hinge on His resurrection, and our eternity is at stake. This is resurrection day. The day we celebrate resurrection of Christ, and the day we should celebrate your resurrection in Christ.
In Christ,
Pastor Peter Suhn
