If I were a disciple at the time of Christ's death, what would I be like on Good Friday? On the next day, that lonely Sabbath day? What about on Resurrection morning?
Would I be filled with despair at the cross, watching him die? Not turning out the way I though it would....Would I remember Jesus's words to "destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days"? Would I understand? And what about that "in-between day"? Would I be in hiding with the other disciples, fearing for my life---if they killed my Master, could it happen to me? Or would I be encouraging the others to not give up hope: Jesus IS who he said he was--he will return! Would I be filled with anticipation and excitement? And very early on the first day of the week when the stone was rolled away and the tomb empty---would I say skeptically "did this really happen"? Or would I say confidently, "I KNEW this would happen"!!! He IS alive!
Here I am a disciple, a Christ-follower, now, in the 21st century. And as I watch my father walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I watch him struggle, and I am faced with similar questions. Do I really believe what I say I believe? I have been pouring over Scriptures in my quiet times lately:
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith...and your faith is futile and you are still in your sins." (1 Cor 15:12-18)
So then, what's the point? My faith would be useless, futile, if it all ended with the cross on Good Friday---and it wouldn't be a very GOOD Friday after all! That Jesus died and that's it. The author, Paul, continues, "But Christ,"---But Christ. (Oh, there's more!!) "BUT CHRIST has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep"!! (1 Cor 15:20) Hallelujah!
"Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised again on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time." (as well as James, all the apostles, and even to the writer, Paul, himself.) 1 Cor 15: 3-8 People saw the Risen Lord! 500 eyewitnesses!! Some even touched the nail marks in his hands and feet.
I recently viewed the Hollywood Film "Heaven is For Real"---rather fitting in light of my personal circumstances---where a four year old boy has a near-death experience and visits heaven. In the movie, over much controversy if this tale is believable, one character states something like, "I see, therefore I believe."
In the Bible, the Resurrected Jesus told Thomas to stop doubting and believe! "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." (John 20:26-29) Isn't that true faith? Believing without seeing? Hebrews 11:1 says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
Jesus raised his friend, Lazarus, from the dead. But before he did so, Jesus had a conversation with Lazarus' sister, Martha.
"I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
"Yes, Lord," she told him, "I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world." (John 11:25-27)
So because Jesus IS the resurrection and the life, there is HOPE! Isn't that what we all long for, HOPE?
And I don't mean "I hope this is true." I mean "this is true, therefore I have hope!" I have hope that God's promises are true:
Isaiah 25:8 [The Lord Almighty] will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove the disgrace of his people from all the earth.
Hosea 13:14 "I will ransom them {these people, O Israel} from the power of the grave, I will redeem them from death.
Where, O death, are your plagues?
Where, O grave, is your destruction?"
1 Cor 15:54-56 Death has been swallowed up in victory.
Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
("Christ is Risen" by: Matt Maher)
So for me and my dad: Because of Easter, because Jesus lives, there is hope! There is hope for today and hope for tomorrow!
"Because He Lives" By: Bill Gaither
God sent His son, they called Him, Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I'll cross the river,
I'll fight life's final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Another inspiring song "Because He Lives" by: Matt Maher!
