Easter ReflectionsSample

The main event of the Bible is the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says that if the resurrection is false, "we are of all men most pitiable" (1 Corinthians 15:19) because we have staked our faith on a lie. The resurrection demonstrates Christ's vindication by God, who reestablishes him in heaven as "Lord of the world." In Matthew's gospel account, the angel testified to Jesus' resurrection to the two women. Jewish law required two witnesses for a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15), but their courts did not allow women's testimony. As such, if the story of the resurrection were fabricated, the gospel authors wouldn't have included the women in their narrations. The smarter thing to do would have been to find male witnesses. But they did the faithful thing, further underscoring the authenticity of their accounts.

I remember having a classmate who had been influenced by false teachings about the resurrection. He came across a sect that misinterpreted Paul's admission that our faith is futile if Christ never rose from the dead (1 Cor. 15:17-19), claiming that Christians are lost. Their error was in ignoring the broader context of that specific verse. We went through the entire chapter, and my friend left with a clear view of that scripture.

This Easter, care to think about the good news of Jesus' resurrection, which assures our resurrection. The resurrected body is somehow transformed into a spiritual body (1 Corinthians 15:44), but it remains an actual body. We appreciate from John's gospel that Jesus' resurrected body allowed him to enter a locked room without a key (John 20:19, 26). Still, he presented his wounded hands and body to Thomas for inspection (John 20:27).

Our bodies will resemble that of Christ upon our resurrection. If you have known the pain and anguish of losing a loved one, take comfort in knowing that those who rest in Christ shall in the end rise, and we shall see them. Didn't the disciples clearly identify Jesus in his resurrection body?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for the death and resurrection of Christ, through which I have confidence that I will also be resurrected and live forever with you. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.