“Now on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they, and certain other women with them, came to the tomb bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 But they found the stone rolled away from the tomb” Luke 24:1-2 (NKJV).
On Sunday, the congregation looked on as several children waved palm branches and paraded down the aisle. The service marked the beginning of Passion Week, also known as Holy Week. We reflected upon Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. We also know that throughout that week Christ cleansed the temple, taught in parables, was betrayed by Judas, and instituted the Lord’s Supper. He was scourged, nailed to a Roman cross, died, and was laid in a tomb.
Each thing carried out by our Lord was of utmost importance. However, the shedding of blood on Calvary’s cross was for your and my sins to be forgiven. And then on the first day of the week, the Bible tells us the glorious, miraculous event that occurred. Jesus Christ conquered death, hell, and the grave. Have you ever pondered the thought, “What if this event had not occurred?” What if the stone had not been rolled away?
A foundational truth of Christianity is that Jesus is alive. The bodily resurrection of Christ is a reality. Jesus claimed to be God, and the resurrection is proof. It points to His deity and validates the Scriptures. The prophecies foretold His resurrection.
Our Lord said many times that He would be raised on the third day : John 2:19-21; Mark 8:31; 9:31; 10:34).
There would be no hope of our bodily resurrection if Christ were still in the grave.
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:13, “But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ is not risen.” And on over in verse 16, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen.” (NKJV).
There would be no salvation, and there would be no hope of eternity with Him.
Satan has attacked believers for many years. Numerous outrageous theories have been proposed, yet substantial evidence supports the resurrection of Christ.
Some ask the same question today as many did in Corinth, “Is the resurrection really that important?”
Many Christians in Corinth didn’t understand. Some thought it was more of a spiritual resurrection than a bodily resurrection.
Paul goes on to explain in 1 Corinthians 15:20-22, (NKJV) “But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”
In Colossians 1:18, we read, ” And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the first born from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.”
Give God the glory for the Resurrection of Jesus, praise His Holy Name!
Jeremy Dykes – CBC Ex. Board
