What Makes All the Difference

“But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.” (I Corinthians 15:12-19 NIV)

When we read the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), we read them as we do all other books, from beginning to end.  What we often don’t realize, however, is, if these books had had different endings, they would have never been written.  In other words, if Jesus had not risen from the dead, there would have been no Gospels written.  In fact, the entire New Testament would not exist.  

Everything in the New Testament is written because of the Resurrection. Take away this historical fact and there would be no reason to write. Sure, there would have been biographies of Jesus written because of what He taught and did, but they would have differed little from those about other historical figures.  Nothing really would have set Him apart from them.  

It is the Resurrection that makes all the difference.  The entire New Testament is written looking back through the Resurrection.  It impacts everything.  

There are many who believe the essence of Christianity is its ethical and moral teachings, that the Resurrection is not important.  Perhaps this is true if one considers Christianity just another religion, equal among many. But if it is the “power of God for salvation for everyone who believes,” (Romans 1:16) then the Resurrection is absolutely essential.

The power of our faith in Jesus is found in the fact that God raised Him from the dead.  It validates everything He said and did.  The Resurrection is our reason for hope today and for eternity.  This is why I prefer calling Easter “Resurrection Day” because it draws attention to where our hope lies—in the Resurrection.

Today as we approach the celebration of Resurrection Day, remember your hope is always tied to the fact the tomb of Jesus is empty.  

© Jim Musser 2013