He is Risen

The empty tomb

For true Christians, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is the second greatest event that occurred in the history of the world.

What was the greatest event? It was Christ's death on Calvary's cross for the sin of the world. That occurred three days before Christ rose from the dead.

Why was Christ's crucifixion at Calvary the greatest event in human history? Because it opened the door to eternal life for every human being that would put their faith in that propitiatory sacrifice for their sins. 

That sacrifice, which perfectly demonstrated God's great love for His rebellious human creation was summed up by Christ Himself during a conversation he had with a Pharisee named Nicodemus: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)

And to further prove that love, God raised Christ from the dead. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ became the ultimate guarantee of eternal life for every person who truly confesses Christ as Lord. Not maybe or probably, but definitely. 

The apostle Paul explains it: "But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (died) For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." (1 Corinthians 15:20-22)

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ is an actual historical event that was witnessed by over 500 people. It wasn't some fairy tale concocted by Christ's disciples in order to promote a fledgling new religion as many people throughout history have claimed. 

Contrast the Resurrection with Islam's claim that Muhammad rode off to heaven on a white stallion from the site of the al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Not one person ever claimed to have witnessed that event. And yet millions of Muslims believe it happened without any evidence to prove it.

The evidence for the Resurrection? It's overwhelming. So overwhelming that some of the greatest legal experts throughout history have blessed it. 

For example, Lord Darling, a former Lord Chief Justice in England stated: "In its favor as a living truth there exists such overwhelming evidence, positive and negative, factual and circumstantial, that no intelligent jury in the world could fail to bring a verdict that the resurrection story is true." 

John Singleton Copley (Lord Lyndhurst, 1772-1863) who was a solicitor general of the British government and attorney general of Great Britain, said this: "I know pretty well what evidence is; and I tell you, such evidence as that for the Resurrection has never broken down yet." 

And J.N.D. Anderson, a former dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of London, chairman of the Department of Oriental Law at the School of Oriental and African Studies and director of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies at the University of London, said this: "How then can the fact of the Resurrection be denied? Lastly, it can be asserted that men and women disbelieve the Easter story not because of the evidence but in spite of it."

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ validates Christ's claim that he alone is "the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the (Heavenly) Father except through me." (John 14:6) 

And the Resurrection invalidates all world religions as dangerous canards that deny the reality of Calvary and the Resurrection. Those who follow such religions will pay a steep price in eternity.

The reality of the Resurrection can't be denied. That's what the focus of Easter should be about rather than chocolate eggs and cuddly rabbits. That's the stuff of fantasies and fairy tales. 

However, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ is for those who choose to live in the real world.