In a good story, there is always a climax before the ending. According to one definition, the climax in a story is the significant turning point when the main character overcomes a major obstacle. A good climax should always bring satisfaction and vindication not only to the main character but also to the adherers of the story. True stories are always the best stories, and I believe at this current point in time, the climax in “His” (God’s) story, is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Here are 3 reasons why I boldly make this claim.
1. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a testimony to the whole world that we Christians serve a risen savior, who has power over death.
The songwriter, Alfred Henry Ackley wrote, “I serve a living Saviour, He is in the world today…” Just meditate on those words for a moment…..
Muhammad, the prophet of Islam, is not in the world today, he is dead and buried at the green dome in Saudi Arabia. Buddha, the religious teacher who founded Buddhism, is not in the world today, but is dead and was cremated. The 330 million idols or gods in Hinduism, have mouths, eyes and ears but no life. Now reflect on Jesus, the son of God, who was crucified and buried. He did not stay dead but rose from the grave, was seen by more than 500 people, has gone into heaven, is currently on the right hand of God, and is actively working in the lives of His faithful believers today! Jesus Christ is the first in history to overcome a major inescapable obstacle that everyone faces, death. This is an incredible victory that cannot be taken lightly.
“Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.”(Romans 6:9)
2. Jesus Christ’s resurrection shows that His word is true.
“For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I speak shall come to pass...” (Ezekiel 12:25)
”So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:11)
Not only does the resurrection demonstrate Christ’s power over death, but it is proof that He is God and that whatever He says will happen. There is nobody else in world history who has or can boldly claim that they will rise again three days after their death. Only Jesus has accurately made this prediction. His assertion of rising on the third day after death was so significant that after his crucifixion, the chief priests and Pharisees urged Pilate to make sure that his body stayed in the sepulcher. The chief priest and the Pharisees understood that if Jesus’ body did not stay in the sepulcher, according to them, the last “error” (the risen Christ) would be worse than the first (Jesus claiming to be Christ). They understood that a risen Christ is a greater threat to them, than a dead Christ. The chief priest and elders were willing to pay large amounts of money to the soldiers who were keeping watch of the sepulcher, to promote the false narrative that the disciples stole the body away while they slept. The reason why the chief priest and elders fabricated this lie is because they knew that a risen Jesus, is evidence that Jesus’ word is true. Christ’s resurrection is proof that you can trust His word and promises.
3. Christ’s resurrection gives hope of eternal life to a dying world.
1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
According to the evolutionist, when you die your dead, nothing else. Reincarnationists believe that when you die, you can be reborn as an infant in a wealthy, middle-class, or poor family. For reincarnationists, there is also the possibility of being reborn as an animal or even a plant. Jews and Muslims believe their good works will get them into heaven, but they are not 100% sure if they are good enough to make it in. None of these worldviews can give someone absolute assurance that they will experience paradise after death. But one who has faith in Christ and believes his words can expect to be with Jesus in paradise after they die, not because of their own good works but based on what Jesus did and said.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:4-7)
1 Corinthians 15:17 says “If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain.” On the contrary, since Christ is raised from the dead our faith is not vain but meaningful.
Jesus said in John 14:2-3, “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would of told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
Jesus also said that “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25)
These are promises that we can wholeheartedly depend on, all because of Christ’s resurrection.
Conclusion
The dark grips of death have had dominion over all of humanity since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. When Jesus Christ came, he conquered death, our mortal enemy, with the power of His resurrection. Christ rising from the dead shows the world that his word is trustworthy and all those who put their faith in Him, no longer need to fear death. Jesus is the resurrection and life and through Him, we can have the assurance of the gift of eternal life.
