As we journey along through another wonderful Easter season with trees budding and flowers popping up to meet the beautiful weather that lies ahead. “I’m believing that by faith, March did behave somewhat like a lion remember?” The climate of our culture though is another thing all together. In fact as I survey the landscape politically, socially and spiritually I’m reminded of the day in which Jesus walked on this earth in sandals and a tunic. There was political unrest along with the less that moral influence of Rome, and a full menu of spiritual path’s to select from. False teachers, false messiah’s, and a religious hierarchy that was more interested in appearing godly than actually knowing God were prevalent. Now with all that swirling around in our heads what a thrill it is to celebrate the reality of a Risen Savior and to know Him personally having the assurance of an eternity with Him forever. However there is a heaviness of heart as I realize that there are many to whom Easter means nothing more that a few colored eggs and long eared stuffed animals in pretty pastels. What a empty way to live, without the reality of the resurrection alive in your heart and life.
To get a better understanding of that kind of existence lets suppose for a moment that the false is true. That Jesus never rose from the grave and that there is no resurrection of the dead. What would life be like? What would our futures be like? In the First book of Corinthians Paul tries to allow us to grasp this terrible thought. “But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: and if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:13-19. Did you hear that terrible scenario? If there is no resurrection then, our preaching and faith are in vain, or for nothing. We are liars, we are still in our sin, the dead are perished forever and we are to be pitied more than anyone else! You talk about a depressing state of affairs. Thank God for the next line, “But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept.” Is it hopeless? No says Paul, a thousand times no! Wrong assumption, wrong conclusion. For Christ has been raised from the dead.
I know that we don’t use the term “first fruits” much today, but what Paul is saying is that Christ is alive and he is a living breathing sample of all those who believe in Him. But listen it gets even better… “ Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:50-57 The constant and occurring theme and the grand climax in the great symphony of the Gospel is the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
A Norwegian fisherman and his two sons were out on their daily fishing run. By mid afternoon a sharp brisk wind was whipping a salty spray into the face of the rugged man and his teenage boys. The little boat pitched back and forth as the three rowed desperately to get back to shore. The storm was so fierce that it washed out the light in the lighthouse leaving the fisherman dependant upon dark, groping guesswork. Meanwhile on the shore in their rustic cottage home a fire broke out. Unable to put out the fire the mother and wife watched as the flames destroyed their home and all their earthly possessions. When the father and sons finally made it safely to shore she was waiting for them with the tragic news. Even as she told her husband of the terrible fire he seemed strangely unmoved by the loss. “Didn’t you hear me Karl?” she asked, “Our house is gone!” “Yes I heard you.” He said. “But a few hours ago we were lost at sea, ready to perish in the storm. Our only guide to the shoreline was the lighthouse on the cliff, and then it went dark. I was certain we would die when I notice a glowing yellow light in the distance. We turned our boat and rowed toward the light. It grew brighter and brighter, and we followed it safely to shore.” “You see dear, that yellow glow was the first sight of our house on fire. At the peak of the blaze we could see the shoreline bright as day. The same fire that destroyed our house created a light that saved our lives.” The same is true for us today. We’re on the sea of life and it seems the lights are out. Our ship is going down and the only way to get to shore is the light of the resurrection. Through the tragedy of a burning house a family was saved. Through the tragedy of a crucified Jesus we have a risen Savior. And because he lives, we can live also!
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