This coming Sunday is Easter Sunday, the day the church celebrates as the day Jesus of Nazareth was raised bodily from the dead. But what does this mean for the world today? What does it mean for us?
First, it must be stated that Jesus was, in fact, raised bodily. He appeared to various people (Luke 24). He ate food (John 21:12; Luke 24:41f). He was touched (John 20:27f). But this body was of no ordinary substance. He appeared (Luke 24:36; John 20:26) and disappeared (Luke 24:31) at a moment’s notice. He appeared to many people at once (1 Corinthians 15:6) and displayed divine glory when He willed (John 20:14ff; Acts 9:3ff).
But how are we to believe these accounts? Paul’s argument at the onset of 1 Corinthians 15 is that his readers can, if they wished, fact check him. He stated openly and boldly that many who saw Jesus were still alive. They are eyewitnesses. These witnesses could validate any and all of Paul’s statements on the resurrection of Jesus. The dividing of personal names for this purpose occurs throughout NT accounts, especially the epistles of Paul. Truly, in the first century, the authenticity of the NT rested on these eyewitness testimonies, as they are an invaluable piece of evidence.
So, finally, in light of the above, what does Jesus’ resurrection mean for us today? It means there is hope! All will die, but not all will experience the second death. This is because of Jesus and his atoning death for all who have trusted their lives to him.
Paul writes that Jesus was raised from the dead to be the “first fruits” of the faithful. For, to those who have given their lives to Jesus in faith and repentance, who have ceased from trusting in themselves for salvation, they will be saved. And, one day, be made like Jesus in his resurrection. Meaning, these bodies of Adam we have today, these same bodies we lay into the grave, will be resurrected to heavenly glory (1 Corinthians 15:40) in the likeness of Jesus’ heavenly body (15:47-49). How this will happen is a mystery (15:50), but it is the sure hope of all those who trust in Jesus as their only hope.
I hope all who read this short piece know this hope. Have you ceased to trust in anything you can do to save yourself? Have you yielded your hope completely to the cross of Christ? If so, wait on Him. For He is faithful. If you have not, do not wait another day. Why risk eternity? You can be right with God today! But only through Jesus.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to write me, any time, any day. I pray you all have a wonderful Easter. Until next week, God bless.
(Jeremy Breland is a farmer in Ruffin and a M.Div. student at Southern Seminary. He can be reached at jbreland572@gmail.com.)
