Try the latest Words of Life as Spotify Podcasts.

Tip: To see latest Words of Life, use Refine Search to list by Year. If using Mobile device, Refine Search may be located at end of page.

Headlines

“RESURRECTION IMPOSSIBLE – JESUS CHRIST DIED AND REMAINED IN THE GRAVE”.

It is quite conceivable that this statement could cause the reader to be alarmed and unsure. This does not happen without intention. Could this be like a shake up to wake up? Should we not get up and try to work through this above said opinion? To battle we have to prepare ourselves, because our enemy has desired us. Now to the matter. This mentioned thesis is in this or very similar radical form, now quoted by a part of Theologians advocated worldwide. There is also a more subtle kind of word-inversion. And behind many a smooth but also sibylic speech, hides the same trail of thought. If the resurrection is seen as a “nice story” and therewith sinks to just a pious with-thought, then are all other miracles which the bible reports, proof of the power and divinity of Jesus, or just stories?

Should the reader of these obvious but also hidden tendencies, presume them to be only outside of our congregations, he may be mistaken; as painful as this information may be. Friend or foe of the Christian belief, have acknowledged the resurrection of Jesus Christ to be the foundation of the faith. And this in closest connection with the crucifixion. Herein is the indissoluble unity of the faith. The Apostle Paul embraces the centre of the belief in the following words:

“And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (1 Cor. 15:14-19).

What conclusion follows this declaration? If Jesus Christ, the Son of God has not come, crucified and raised up on the third day, ascended into heaven to return again, then is the whole person of Jesus Christ, inclusive His declaration, reduced to a disclaiming size. His teaching would lose all authority. Regarding taking notice and heeding His words, would become meaningless and as it pleases mankind. If Christ is not raised from the dead, the Christian belief is become a museum piece, though interesting, but without objective validity or truth. Christianity would be a nice thought, but nothing more, Not worth the excitement.

Here is another advise permitted: Has Jesus Christ, as God’s Son not died and risen for us? Who cannot represent Christ and believe in Him, as the scripture delivers to us, has nothing to celebrate what He does not believe in. There produces a question, if it is allowed to have divine worship according to pattern and substance, in which to the minimum reduced, Jesus is preached and sung to.

Another thought may be added: Who denies the resurrection, according to scripture, dies without hope. Because hope can alone be obtained only through Christ. The men who were called first Christians at Antioch, stood the whole world picture on its head. They resorted constantly to the resurrection as foundation for their teaching, their preaching, their life and – this is important – their dying.

Resurrection as consequence to redemption. When God wanted to redeem the world, then with the goal to lead mankind back into the union of God’s love. The cross and redemption death, was necessary to atone the old debt and remove it. The resurrection is the completion of redemption; because Jesus Christ has liberated us from sin through His death: through His resurrection, but He has given us the wonderful hope, which we lost through sin.

When Paul preached the Resurrected One, the following happened according to Acts 17:32: “And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them.” Let people mock, like to Noah’s time. The preservation of our faith has been laid into the hands of God through Jesus Christ, the high priest’s prayer. God strengthen through His Spirit, the belief on our redeemer Jesus Christ. Joy over joy, the Lord is risen! “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible”. Mark 10:27.