The Resurrection...take it or leave it
A recent article online at Newsweek discusses "The Christian mystery of physical resurrection." The author, Lisa Miller, uses some observations about heaven to question the heart of the Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus. (find the article "Far from Heaven" here) The resurrection is the heart of our faith and we often fall into a "yep, he rose from the dead" simplicity as Christians. What I mean to say is that it might take a doubter of the resurrection for us to return to the significance of what God does and provides in the resurrection. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God. This claim got him crucified. He rose again to life to justify and reveal himself as the Son of God, the salvation of the world.
Read through the article if you have time. What do you hear and what is the argument Ms. Miller is making? You might take the article very differently than I do. But, there is no doubt that Ms. Miller correctly writes concerning the significance of Jesus' resurrection for any Christian. "The belief in the resurrection is more radical. It's a supernatural event. It's a special act of grace or of kindness on God's part." As NT Wright insists in the article, "The whole point of the Christian story is that the Resurrection really happened." This is why Christians gather, why Christians proclaim the forgivenss of sins, why Christians hope in life eternal and the bodily resurrection. This is precisely what we celebrate in Easter.
Paul writes directly about the importance of Jesus' resurrection. Read 1 Cor. 15:12-28. "And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is our faith" (1 Cor. 15:14). Paul speaks to the significance of the resurrection. He also writes regarding the hope which is ours in the resurrection. "For Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes those who belong to him" (1 Cor. 15:20-23). WOW!!! Do you hear what Paul is saying? All descendants of Adam are dead in sin - that's all of us, all of creation. But Jesus Christ "has indeed been raised from the dead." His dead body is alive. The burial tomb is empty. Christ is alive, his scarred body provides it. Jesus is the firstfruit for all believers of our bodily resurrection too. And Jesus will come again for us "who belong to him." This hope is Easter!!!
Ultimately, Ms. Miller comes to the conclusion that for her part, she can't buy it. But she does help those of us who do buy it, who in fact trust in the resurrection completely to give thanks to our gracious God. It's all about the Resurrection, take it or leave it.
Comments? Share your thoughts in the comment section below....
My Easter prayer is that you consider, or maybe reconsider, how amazing God's grace is in the death and resurrection of Jesus our Savior. This is your hope and mine. Glory be to God.
