Easter, like Christmas, has mass appeal. There is a slight division between the tradition of easter and its commercialization. (Like Christmas) All of Christianity depends on the resurrection. The Apostle Paul said it best, “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.” (1st Corinthians 15:12-13)
In one of my trips to Israel our guide confessed that he thought Jesus was the greatest Jew who ever lived, but the resurrection was going too far. He acknowledged the facts of the person of Jesus, His presence in Israel’s history, and he even believed the New Testament’s account of the words and actions of Jesus. But again, he could not get past the resurrection.
If I were to offer a challenge, it would not be for those who have dismissed the whole concept of God and Jesus. I would, however, challenge those who profess Jesus as Savior to live as if Jesus has risen from the dead and that He is indeed alive and well sitting at the right hand of the Father. Perhaps we need to move from, “What would Jesus do?” and begin asking what we should do?
The Follower of Christ is called to live the Resurrected life every day. There might be ups and downs, highs and lows, days of great faith and days of questioning or some fear or anxiety, but that does not change the fact that Jesus is who He says he is, and that His Followers are called according to His purposes.
Pastor Steve Leppert
Cordova Church of the Nazarene
