What if it isn't true?

“…[God] has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” Excerpt from Paul's message to the Athenians, Acts 17.

It is the death and resurrection of Jesus that is really the big idea of the Bible! Everything leads up to it. Everything after it, looks back to it. Religious leaders have come and gone. They often have great wisdom and insight to share with the world. None have risen from the dead. Moses died. Muhammed died. Zoroaster died. Buddha died. Confusius died. Joseph Smith died. Popes die. Jesus died*. It is all rather predictable. I will die. So will you. There is nothing too difficult here. The death rate is rather stable and impressive…100%. So when you have a figure in history who claims to come from God, to speak for God, to be in some way the embodiment of God, and by the way, I will be killed and in 3 days I will raise from the dead. Well, that is either a scandalous lie OR something to be reckoned with…

What did Jesus say about resurrection?

His own words on his resurrection: “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” 32 But they did not understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. Mark 9.31-32

There are many people who profess to be “Christians” who do not necessarily believe in the space and time bodily resurrection from the dead. To them it is more of the idea of rebirth and renewal, a spiritual idea that inspires good thoughts and good deeds.

That is exactly NOT how the Bible, itself, deals with the resurrection of Jesus. It’s cosmic importance can NOT be underestimated; and it’s denial is tantamount to the total undermining of the entire faith. With that said, let’s let the new testament speak on this subject:

Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. 14 And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain. 15 We are even found to be misrepresenting God, because we testified about God that he raised Christ, whom he did not raise if it is true that the dead are not raised. 16 For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. 17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 18 Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. 19 If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. I Cor. 15:12-19

Do you get the power and the argument of this passage. EVERYTHING is riding on the fact that Jesus died and rose from the dead. If Jesus Christ did not raise from the dead:
1. The Bible is a lie
2. There is no resurrection at all
3. The faith is useless
4. You are still in your sin
5. Your dearly departed, have only departed. Nothing more.
6. There is no hope for eternal life
7. Oh, and those of us who have left the comforts of home and gone out telling this good news about Jesus. We are the most pathetic of all.

I am not sure how the importance of the resurrection of Jesus Christ can be more overstated than what the Bible already says about it. The Apostle Paul who staked his entire life and ministry on this fact goes on to say, that, it is true. That the risen Jesus had visited him at his own conversion from a Christian-hating religious persecutor to a faithful follower of Jesus. He winds up his discussion on the resurrection on both encouraging and practical ways this reality should move us.


“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
55 “O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in cthe work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Cor. 15.54-58

Death is our last enemy, and the resurrection deals it a “death-blow”. Life will conquer death. The fear of death is overtaken by the truth that Jesus will raise our mortal bodies at the last day. His will be the victory.

It is resurrection that imbues all of life with meaning. Imagine life without a Savior from death. There would be no hope. And truly so many are lost in this daily despair. Yet even the mundane work that you do today, is filled with importance and everything matters if Jesus is fully alive. So whatever you are dealing with today will pass. It can only last a lifetime. So be unmoved, be standing firm, overdo your devotion to God, cause it really does count!