He is Risen Indeed
Easter Sunday
I've actually been to this tomb in Israel many times--a rolling stone tomb along the road that is probably the closest we will get to a good representation of what Jesus' empty tomb would have looked like.
A very well-known "cutting edge" Christian famous for his iconoclastic life and writings wrote a book a number of years ago that was every "wannabe/cutting edge" Christian's favorite book. In it, the writer echoed one of his mentors in saying that the beauty of the teachings of Jesus is so great, and the power of his instruction so overpowering, that even if the whole story of Jesus wasn't true, and there was no heaven ahead, he would still want to be a Christian because of these qualities.
At that point in reading the book, I threw it across the room.
Why? Because that is what Paul the apostle would have done.
Actually, he says, in 1 Corinthians 15 that if Christ is not really and truly raised from the dead, we Christians are "most to be pitied." That is Bible talk for "losers," "idiots," or just about any term of derision and foolishness you would want to pin on us. Why, Paul says, would we go through all the self-denial, the enduring of wrongs in hopes that they will be made right someday, the offending of others, and who knows what else, if this whole matter of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus isn't real? Good question!
Christianity, thankfully, is not just a self-improvement program because, let's face it, even if I improve myself to my highest potential, I am still falling short of God's glory, still selfish, still thinking more about myself than I should, only now I'd just have more about me to brag and think highly about. And I can't save myself from myself--from my sinfulness.
Christianity is about resurrection, not just reformation. It is not just about the weak becoming strong, but the dead coming to life. The resurrection of Jesus figured much more prominently in the apostles' preaching in Acts than it often does in our thinking. We focus on his death--a vital focus to be sure. But they loved to proclaim his resurrection--his power over death, and the guarantee of right standing before God forever in his presence. His death, without the resurrection, gave his followers only grief. They didn't think about how noble it was, or as appeasing God's wrath. Only the resurrection made it meaningful to them.
And the resurrection makes all the difference for us. He is risen. He's alive, now and forevermore. And as he ascended into heaven the message of the angels at that event is what we are counting on--he is coming back!