Paul records an essential fact about Jesus’ resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:6, he writes, “After that, he was seen by more than 500 of his followers at one time, most of whom are still
alive, though some have died.” Hundreds saw the resurrected Jesus. It wasn’t a hoax. They weren’t hallucinating. His resurrection was real. The resurrection of Jesus is not a subtle message, and it demands your response. Everything we believe hinges on this one thing. Remove the bodily resurrection of Christ, and Christianity has no footing whatsoever.
For most people, we talk of a movement from life to death. We prepare for death with a living will. We attempt to prolong death with anti-aging remedies. We fear death because no one escapes it. If Jesus is dead, then we’re a bunch of fools. If Jesus is dead, there is no reason for us to be here today. Resurrection is vital to our faith. If death is conquered and resurrection is real, then there is another movement—one from death to life. All of Jesus’ teaching, His preaching, and His healing ministry—every bit of it is fully validated by the resurrection. He predicted his own resurrection, which is the stamp of approval for everything He said.
In Luke 24, the angels had to remind the disciples what Christ had said numerous times. He would die, and God would raise Him from the dead. How many times has Christ tried to reveal His truth to us? Yet we resist, refuse, or ignore Him. If you need validation of who Jesus is, look to the resurrection! Jesus’ resurrection demands a response. The Easter story is revealing. For the disciples, a resurrected Jesus surprised them and even brought fear.
But it wasn’t long before they realized their victory! Where are you with God right now? What’s your response to the resurrection? It doesn’t matter what you’ll be doing next week if you’re not alive today! Through His resurrection, Jesus is offering you life today and life for all eternity.
