Well Easter is over for another year and many of us may have put on a few extra kilo’s because we ate too much chocolate. It’s now back to the gym to burn off the calories from the Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies and maybe a few too many hot cross buns. For some it was a relaxing or welcome long bank holiday weekend without having to face the daily grind. For school kids it was a couple of weeks holiday. Yet, Easter is the time of year when some of us remember the Crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ and His resurrection three days later.
The empty tomb is evidence of Christ’s victory over death. The empty tomb also reveals the guarantee of a future resurrection for Scripture tells us:-
Hebrews Chapter 2 verses 14-15; We are people of flesh and blood. That is why Jesus became one of us. He died to destroy the devil, who had power over death. But He also died to rescue all of us who live each day in fear of dying.
Romans Chapter 8 verses 37-39; In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us. I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love–not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future. And not powers above or powers below, nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!
Why do we need resurrecting isn’t death final? That is the belief of many people and they are entitled to their beliefs. However, the Christian faith believes in life after death; Although it’s not only the Christian faith that believes in life after death most other religions do as well. The difference being that the Bible stands on it’s own in its claims that all mankind can partake of everlasting life; and offers proof of this through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. No other faith or religion offers such proof of resurrection.
There were many people who saw the risen Jesus Christ as the Apostle Paul testifies:-
1 Corinthians Chapter 15 verses 4-8; He (Jesus Christ) was buried, and three days later He was raised to life, as the Scriptures say. Christ appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After this, He appeared to more than five hundred other followers. Most of them are still alive, but some have died. He also appeared to James, and then to all of the apostles. Finally, He appeared to me, even though I am like someone who was born at the wrong time.
That is over 500 witnesses enough to convince any jury in any court in any land. The question is does this convince you and why should it bother you anyway?
The Bible tells us that the outcome of sin is death:-
Romans 6:23; Sin pays off with death. But God’s gift is eternal life given by Jesus Christ our Lord.
We all fall short of the righteousness of God, if you have ever taken so much as a paper clip from work without permission you are effectively a thief. If you have told a little white lie to spare somebody’s feelings the bottom line is that you are a liar. Harsh judgement I know however, the Bible is more intense than even these seemingly innocuous misdemeanours: It tells us that if you even think about doing bad things, in your heart you have committed them, therefore you are guilty as charged. The cost of these demeanours = death. The good news (that’s effectively what the Gospel means) is that Jesus Christ paid that cost for all of us. We don’t have to die, eternal life is within our grasp:-
John Chapter 3 verse 16; God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never die.
The Bible is clear-cut about this statement of having to have faith in Christ:-
John Chapter 14 verse 6; “I am the way, the truth, and the life!” Jesus answered. “Without me, no one can go to the Father.”
So, there we have it the central basic message of Easter. If you find yourself pondering on your future it won’t do you any harm to recollect the Easter message. In fact it may even lead you to eternal life.