The Resurrection

Jesus is not just our perfect example. Don't misread. He IS our perfect example. But he is not ONLY our perfect example.

I say this because there are those who deny the resurrection of Jesus Christ yet claim that it doesn't really matter if he didn't rise from the dead. They say that all that really matters is his sayings and his example. They say that we just need to follow those.

Wrong.

The resurrection is of the utmost importance. If the resurrection didn't happen then Jesus was either the biggest liar on the planet or a complete nut job because of the grandiose claims that he made! Claims to be the Son of God. Claims to be the savior of the world. Claims to be a ransom for sin. Claims that he would die and rise again.

You see, Jesus didn't come for the purpose of setting a good example. He came to provide a way for us to deal with our sin. God cannot overlook sin, yet he loved the world so much that he sent Jesus to pay the price for it. He is the atoning sacrifice to cover our sin. When we put our faith in Jesus, when we realize our spiritual bankruptcy and accept that he covered us, something happens. We become his, bought at the highest price that could be paid.

Without the resurrection, we have no verification that Jesus is in fact the savior of the world and the one we should follow. Without the resurrection, we are not assured of salvation. Yet we do know. We know the Bible is historically accurate. We know the resurrection lines up with the historical facts. Many have gone out to disprove the resurrection and in the process have come to Christ and have amazing testimonies to share regarding the proof of the resurrection. Sadly, there are many of us who just don't want to look into it or accept it because we love our sin and hate God.

Isn't that just a brilliant plan of God's to identify the savior? Take something common to all men, death, and make it so the savior conquers death and lives forevermore. Who has ever even claimed to conquer death, let alone actually conquered it? None, except Jesus. Therefore we know he is the way, the truth, and the life, and if we put our faith in him, we are assured of our salvation. No religion on the planet offers that certainty. Not Judaism. Not Islam. Not Buddhism. Not Hinduism. Not anything.

Praise God for the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Grace and Peace