Happy Resurrection Day!

I cannot think of a better song for today. 

http://youtu.be/H_zB_tSpl9w

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Why is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ Important?

This was the title from my sermon this past Sunday for Easter.  We (Christians) celebrate Easter not because of the pastel colors (definitely not the pastel colors), the arrival of spring, the candy or bunnies.  We celebrate Easter because it is the single most important event of all history: the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

There are many who do not believe that this event is possible or all that important.  I would disagree with them.  Here are four reasons that I believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is important.

1.  It establishes Jesus' identity.

In 1 Corinthians 15, the apostle Paul addresses some arguments that the Corinthian believers had been facing.  Among these arguments was the issue of the resurrection from the dead.  Paul states in verse 13, "But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised."

Paul basically states that if Jesus did not return from the dead, then He was a liar and possibly the greatest con artist of all time.  Jesus had done many wonderful things - teachings and miracles, but He had also claimed that He would die and return from the dead (Mark 8:31).  If He did not come back from the dead, then nothing of what He said or did is worth listening to.

But He did come back from the dead!  Because He came back to life, everything that He stated about Himself is trustworthy.  Possibly one of the greatest things He claimed about Himself is that He was the only way to find forgiveness for sins and eternal life (John 14:6).

2.  It establishes our identity as Christians.

Continuing with the work of Paul in 1 Corinthians, he states that if Jesus did not return from the dead, then we as His followers are either liars or naive.  Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:15 that we are false witnesses if Jesus did not come back from the dead.

A false witness is a serious offense.  In the Old Testament, if one was found to bear false witness, then whatever sentence the defendant was to receive would fall on the false witness - even death.  Even today, when a person commits perjury, they will suffer severe consequences.

Nobody wants to be labeled a liar or naive.  Because Jesus DID come back from the dead, a Christian's identity is solidified, and we have strong ground to stand on.

3.  It gives life to our faith.

Faith is only as strong and alive as the substance that you put it in.  Paul states that if Christ did not rise from the dead, then our faith is worthless and we are still in our sins.

When Jesus arose from the grave, He brought life to our faith that we have placed in Him.  Our sins have been washed away.  We have a home waiting in heaven for us.  We live a life powered by a living faith (Galatians 2:19-20).

4.  It gives us an eternal hope.

Just like many of us, the original recipients of 1 Corinthians had laid many of their loved ones to rest.  They were being told that there was no hope of ever seeing them again.  Because Jesus came back from the dead, Paul was able to show them (and us) that there is a hope that lasts for eternity.

"Your heart must not be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in Me.  In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.  I am going away to prepare a place for you.  If I go away and prepare a place for you, I will come back and receive you to Myself, so that where I am you may be also. "  (John 14:1-3)

Because Jesus did come back from the dead, we who have placed our faith in Him and follow Him daily have a hope that not even death can take away from us!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance.  Today, may we live in the light of this eternal hope with a living faith in our risen Savior.

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Silent Saturday

Anxious days.

I can't stand anxious days. Those days when you know something is coming (or you hope so), and you have to wait for it. Yesterday, I did good with the wait of my birthday present. I was told what it would be (new iPad mini) but had to wait until Friday to go get it. On the way, we had a make a detour due to a child who got carsick.

With all the wait, I thought back to a moment when I was a little child and waiting on Christmas morning. I laid there all night long awaiting what would greet me under the tree that morning.

This morning my thoughts went back to what seems to me the most anxious day in the history of mankind: the Saturday between the crucifixion and the resurrection.

Think about it.

There was all kinds of emotions swirling as Jesus paid our sin debt upon the cross. The skies turning black at midday. The earthquake. The veil in the Temple tearing. There is no doubt that Friday was a full day.

We look now and know that that Sunday morning was filled with excitement as Jesus proved to be exactly who He said He was. He defeated death and hell! The new life that God promised was finally available to those who would believe in Jesus!

That Saturday in between had to be the worst day of history. The anxiousness of the day would have done me in. After coming down from the emotions of Friday only to be welcomed by thoughts and maybe small reminders of Jesus' words...

For as Jonah was in the belly of the great fish three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. (Matthew 12:40 HCSB)

Those thoughts I believe would have torn me to pieces. Would He really be back? What would happen on that third day? So many questions. But Jesus answered them all on Sunday morning when He said, "I'm back!"

How will you spend this day of pondering? I would encourage you to think about the price Jesus paid for your sins - He gave His life. Let that prepare you for the celebration that will take place all across our globe Sunday morning, as the Church declares: "He is risen!"

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Reflections from Easter

This past Sunday was a great day for every believer and follower of Jesus Christ.  It was the day that Jesus Christ proved that He was exactly who He said He was: the Son of God.  I thought that I'd share a couple of things that stood out to me on Resurrection Celebration 2010.

• Two boys were baptized. It was great to see the two sons of the Snow family follow Christ in believer's baptism.  This family has been one that has truly shown what it means to be followers of Jesus.


• Resurrection Eggs. This year was the first year that we got to do some Easter festivities with our family.  We decided this year to buy some "Resurrection Eggs" and tell our little man the true meaning behind Easter.  It was awesome watching him hunt the eggs.  What was great was how Drew listened as we talked about how Jesus was crucified and rose again.  I hope that I can hold that excitement that Drew showed when we got to the empty tomb.

How did you celebrate the celebration of Jesus' resurrection?

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Afterthoughts on Easter

Yesterday was the greatest day of the entire year: Easter.  The celebration and remembrance of when the stone was rolled away from the mouth of the tomb to let the world see that Jesus Christ had risen.  I have attended "church services" for most of my life.  There have been different ways that fellowships have approached this event.  Some did very somber moods while others did more celebratory moods.  The fellowship that I am a part of here in Birmingham, Alabama took more of a celebratory approach.

Today, I was talking with a gentleman in Starbucks about the resurrection.  I have never understood why those who profess that Jesus is their Lord and Savior don't get excited about Easter.  I hope that it is few and far between, but I have come across people who think that it is wrong to get "excited" about different things.  It is my opinion that if there was ever anything that one should get excited about, it would be the resurrection of Jesus Christ!  This is the single event that defines and separates Christianity from every other "religious belief" in the world.

Let's get excited... Jesus is ALIVE!!!!

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