Resurrection

By Sue Wilson

Based on John 20:1-18 and I Cor.15:14

Why is John’s story of Jesus’ resurrection so marvelous? Why is there such a huge celebration today? What is so special about the Resurrection? Did it really happen? Why did Paul write to the Corinthians, “And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith”? (I Cor.15:14)

Paul’s words mean that the miracle of Jesus’ resurrection cannot be sidestepped. Everything that Jesus said has to be true, or we cannot be sure that any of it is true. Either the Resurrection happened as the Gospel writers say, or Jesus was just a good teacher, a political activist, or insane. Paul was adamant about this—if there was no resurrection (as foretold by Jesus), then there is nothing.

Some say that while Jesus’ resurrection is essential, it was just a spiritual resurrection, like you and I will have. But, it must be more than that. If Jesus was not bodily resurrected, then He was only a man, not the Son of God. He could not pay the price for all sinners. This was Paul’s point in his letter to Corinth. Without a visible, bodily resurrection, there can be no celebration. Jesus’ resurrection is God’s “seal of approval” on all that Jesus did and said. And Paul, who saw the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus, assures his readers, and us, that it really did happen!

We have God’s promise that it is true. We have the witness of Jesus’ appearance to more than four hundred believers, including the writers of the New Testament. We have the Holy Spirit’s witness in our hearts. We have the gift of faith given to us by God to help us comprehend the miraculous event. That is why we so loudly, confidently, and joyfully proclaim today, “HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED!