FreeTruth

As those who have been committed to the Christian faith know very well, without the resurrection of Christ, our faith is in vain and we are pitiful. So, the Apostle Paul takes the occasion (I Corinthians 15:4-11) to mention to us that the risen Christ was not only seen by the disciples and a few others, but that "he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time" (I Cor. 15:6).

It should be readily apparent why this fact was so important that Paul felt the need to mention it: there was a bombing on the Moscow metro system recently and the mounted cameras in the train stations captured some of the trembling and the destruction in the aftermath. At the time of our Lord's resurrection, there were no cameras, and no newspapers. Unless one physically was present, word of mouth was all that was left, so the fact that many of those five hundred brothers were still alive (not counting women and children) was important to the testimony of His victory over the grave.

Any of the Corinthians could go to one of those witnesses and receive a first-hand account of the events of that day. Surely those who saw Him after the resurrection all knew about His death, so how overwhelming it must have been to actually see Him in the flesh!

As theologians tell us today, it would have been easy to corroborate if there had been deception in this event, because so many were still alive who had seen Him. Certainly if it weren’t true, at least one of those five hundred brothers would have broken rank and stated that in fact, His resurrection appearance was a lie or a deception.

During His life, logically, one might conclude that if anyone saw Christ and the miracles that He did, then one would be led to the conclusion that this was indeed a man who possessed deity, and there is considerable evidence for the risen Christ, so why don’t more believe?

I think we have the answer to that in verse 10 of this passage when Paul says "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain." People don’t believe anything they don't want to believe, because they are blinded by their sin, as Paul was before he believed (and even persecuted the church).

The evidence of the bodily resurrection of Christ, though essentially important to historical Christianity, will not convince people to believe the claims of the living Christ. Thank God that we have the witness of the Apostle Paul to the fact of His resurrection; Paul was the last one to see Him on the road to Damascus. However, let's not forget that it is by grace alone that we have been saved as God opens our eyes to the truth of His word. All manner of historical evidences mean nothing if one either refuses to see or simply doesn't care.

by Rich Cromwell

Labels: Apologetics, Lent, resurrection of Christ. Guest Post

The resurrection of Christ is not a mere claim made by Christians to bolster faith. It is a claim rooted in history. We say not only, "He is risen" but "He is risen indeed;" in actual fact and truth (Luke 24:34).

Luke 24:13-35 presents some of the many compelling proofs of the resurrection:

1. He walked with many and talked with them after his death (Luke 24:13-35).
2. He let them touch His actual body (Luke 24:38, 39).
3. He ate meals with them (Luke 24:40-43).
4. He reminded them that His resurrection and glory had been foretold in prophecies (Luke 24:44-49).

If interested in finding out more of the proofs read books like: The Case for Christ, by Lee Strobel, or Evidence that Demands a Verdict, by Josh Mcdowell.

What matters my friends is that you know beyond all doubt that Jesus is risen indeed. Mere wishing or hoping Him alive does not mean He is. Does the evidence prove it? Does the evidence give you reason to believe, reason sufficient to support making a decision to follow Him with all your heart for all of life?

Many who profess to be Christians fail to live lives that evidence that they really believe that Jesus is alive. If he's alive, then He is Lord, and everything about us should be convincing testimony that we know it.

You must know that He lives. Then you must live a life that proves that you know it.
Another way of getting at that is this: Would people looking at the character and priorities of your life be convinced that you really believe that Jesus is alive? Something to think about as we echo the words: "He is risen indeed."

Labels: christian life, Lent, resurrection of Christ. Guest Post

Just days before His passion, our Lord battles hell over the death of His friend Lazarus. In the course of this, in John 11:25, 26 Jesus makes two bold declarative statements, followed by one penetrating personal question, all of which present watershed issues for our lives.

First, Jesus claims the power of, and makes the promise of, eternal life, in Himself: "I am the resurrection and the life." He does not say "I give resurrection and life" (although of course He does), but "I am resurrection and life. Life exists in Me" (John 1:4). No wonder the grave couldn't hold Him.

Then Jesus declares: "Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die." This two-fold promise is awesome indeed: "Believe in Me and live forever. And even if you die, you really won't. You'll just pass into life eternal."

Now the personal question Jesus asks: "Do you believe this?" What Jesus asked Martha, He would ask us. Do you believe this?

Granted, these are bold claims if ever there were such! But that's just the point. Such claims demand a conclusion. You must either believe, or not. One thing you cannot do is ignore. And here's a fact: you either do believe, or not. The direction of your life reveals which it is.

If you really believe this, the direction of your life is set: you are seeking to know and serve and love and trust Christ in such a way that you might enjoy His presence and favor forever in the eternal life He is and gives.

If you don't believe, the direction of your life is set: you are doing whatever floats your boat to create as many fun feelings as you can between now and when you croak. You're not concerned to store up for an afterlife that you don't think really exists.

So do you believe? Are you willing to risk all to have Christ, and with him life eternal? Or will you go on in the day-dream that it really doesn't matter after all?

What's the old set of alternatives regarding Jesus? He was either the Lord (of life), or a liar, or a lunatic. Whatever you do just don't cling to the nonsense that He was simply a good man and moral teacher.

Such claims as those in John 11:25, 26 do not leave you that option. You're going to have to make your choice. What's it going to be?

Labels: Eternal Life, Faith, Gospel, Lent, resurrection of Christ. Guest Post

Isaiah 53:12 begins with that ever important word: "therefore". This follows the statement in verse 11 that the servant will make many to be accounted righteous and shall bear their iniquities. And then verse 12 says, "Therefore I will divide him a portion with the many, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong."

This speaks of the Servant's exaltation. He receives the spoil of the victory. He receives His due reward. And as the rest of the verse emphasizes again, it is "because he poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors."

The "therefore" at the beginning of verse 12 makes the same connection between Jesus' humiliation and exaltation as the "therefore" in Philippians 2:9. "And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name..." Jesus' humiliation on our behalf is rewarded with great exaltation.

Another indication of the Servant's success is in the middle of verse 10, just after the statement that "he shall see his offspring." It goes on to say, "He shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand." This is a reference to Jesus' resurrection, because even though He was crushed and put to grief, He prolongs His days.

His mission did not end in death. His Father crushed Him, but then His Father brought Him back to life and prolongs His days. He lives, and He reigns forever more!

Christ's resurrection is so essential to the Gospel, because had He not conquered the grave, His sacrificial death would have been a total failure; He would have saved no one.

As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15, "if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins" (v. 17). It was not enough that Jesus died. He had to die and then conquer death. He had to triumph over the grave. Our salvation depends upon it. Romans 4:25 says He "was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

That verse shows us the inseparable connection between Jesus' death and His resurrection. He was raised for our justification, meaning His resurrection proved that the substitutionary death was effective. The resurrection proves that Jesus' death conquered death, and therefore purchased our justification.

This is the reason why the observance of Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday is such a significant time for Christians. These are the two enormous events that have revolutionized our lives and they should be the focus of our lives every day of the year.

Jesus died on a cross for our sins, and He came back to life on the third day to demonstrate His triumph over sin and death. Jesus accomplished His agonizing mission, and then He looks out over the fruit of His labors, and He is satisfied.

by Sesky Paul

Labels: Death of Christ, exaltation of Christ, Lent, resurrection of Christ. Guest Post