One of the most ominous scenes in Hollywood would have to be in Terminator 2. Arnold, the Govenator in his role as the Terminator, has just rescued John Connor from the T-1000 after a daring run away on a Harley Davidson, only to discover that his enemy has survived an enormous explosion. This pattern of the T-1000 having been defeated only to discover that he has returned continues throughout the movie. The T-1000, in almost every sense, is an unstoppable force as he cannot be easily destroyed or killed; the only possible reaction for the audience is to stand in awe. This notion of escaping death makes the T-1000 virtually invincible.
Christianity, the scriptures and Christian history makes this awesome claim that Jesus, who is fully God and fully man, was crucified on a cross and was resurrected three days later. If someone can defeat death, how much an awesome and powerful person must he or she be?
Christianity makes this awesome claim about Jesus; that he rose from the dead three days after his death. In every sense of the word, he is unstoppable. As we explored in the last ‘Christians Believe’ article, Jesus is God who created the world. Jesus virtually stood up off his throne in heaven to come to earth and rescue us from sin and death. He lived a perfect life (which will be covered in the upcoming series titled - Jesus) and died on a Roman cross for us, sinners.
So, what does the bible have to say about Jesus and the resurrection?
The Promise
Jesus is the Messiah or Christ, who was prophesied about in the Old Testament. It was prophesied that the Messiah would come and rescue Israel from their enemies. It was also claimed that this Messiah would not taste death - For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption (Psalm 16:10; this is confirmed in Acts 13:35). The sign of the Messiah was that he would rise from the grave. Jesus confirmed this in his teaching:
(Jesus words) and deliver him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified, and he will be raised on the third day” (Matthew 20:19).
And the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah out upon the dry land (Jonah 2:10).
For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish (see above Jonah 2:10), so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth (Matthew 12:40).
Jesus and many Old Testament quotations point out that he would be resurrected. As with God, what he promises will always be delivered. So how does this impact us?
Our Hope
So, thus far we have seen that Jesus’ resurrection was promised and delivered, but how does this affect us living in the 20th Century. The resurrection means everything to the Christian- And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). Jesus’ death offers us forgiveness of sin but his resurrection establishes him as our champion over death and sin. Why (see Revelation 5)? For he now rules once again over this world - Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us (Romans 8:34).
The Proof
Jesus’ resurrection stands as proof that all his words and works were and are absolutely true. It is evidence that demonstrates to the world that he is the Christ, God and the saviour of the world:
This he has fulfilled to us their children by raising Jesus, as also it is written in the second Psalm, "'You are my Son, today I have begotten you’ (Acts 13:33).
Further evidence of the claims of the resurrection can be found in the testimonies of the thousands of Christians living in the 1st Century that were so willing to give their life for this claim. The Apostle Peter, who cowered away from a little girl at Jesus trial (see Luke 22:53-62), was transformed by the resurrection. He proclaimed Jesus so boldly that he lost his life for the claim. If the resurrection was a lie or fabrication, what gain did the Apostles benefit from their claims? They and the thousands of early Christians received no profit for standing by the resurrection- just death and suffering!
Jesus, who died and once again lives, is seated in heaven ruling the world. We must turn and pay attention to Jesus. He conquered death, something which no man or woman has ever done. If the resurrection validates his words, then Jesus claim that we are sinners and are in desperate need of a saviour must be heeded with urgency. I ask you now, where do you stand with the ruler of the universe? In love he died for you, and in love, God the Father by the Holy Spirit rose Jesus from the dead. No sin is too much for him- give your life today to Jesus!
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