Resurrection Sunday is coming! He is risen! He is risen indeed! These proclamations will ring throughout Christian churches all over the world this Sunday. There are many elements of Christ that reveal to us his uniqueness. He is unique in nature as the only “God/Man”. He is unique in conception (born of a virgin). He is unique in life and ministry (authority and miracles). He was even unique in death (the events and circumstances of his death prophetically foretold centuries before).
I think one could argue that the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead is the primary, preeminent proof of Christianity. Paul said as much in his first letter to the Corinthians: “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain (1 Corinthians 15:13,14).” Death is humanity’s greatest enemy and it has conquered all, but Christ. No one can outsmart death, or gain riches enough to purchase freedom from death, or be strong enough to outlast death. The grave is every man’s earthly destiny: to dust he returns. In fact, the triumph of death applies not only to people, but all things. Animals and plants, cities and nations, are for but a season. Scientists say the universe itself is running down and heading toward its own death.
This universal reign of decay and death is what the bible calls the “bondage to corruption” (Romans 8:21). Standing alone against the reign of death is our resurrected Christ. Regardless of the influence of the greatest of us through human history, one fact towers over them all … they are all dead.
The unique bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ is clear proof that he is God, as well as man, because only God can conquer death. The great Creator became the Son of Man, that he might die for man’s sin. He also remained God and death could not hold Him! His first great work–that of Creation–was finished from the foundation of the world (Genesis 2:1-3; Hebrews 11:3). In the same way, his second work–that of Redemption–was now also perfect and complete. After the suffering of bearing the our sins, and the forsaking of his Father, He shouted in victory “It is finished!” (John 19:30).
Outside of Christ, people either face death in fear, or through some form of escapism. In contrast, as Wesley said of his contemporary Christian brothers and sisters, “Our people die well.” Why was he able to say such a thing? As Paul intoned to the Corinthians our real and present hope in Christ is not for this world alone. Our life, from our biggest decisions and challenges to the smallest acts of sacrifice and kindness, has eternal consequence and significance. A life lived under and in God is a life lived well, and furnishes us with the hope to die well also.
Much Love,
Pastor Gary