Resurrection
Do you really believe that Jesus was raised bodily from the grave? A lot of people do not. A recent TV documentary is a testament to that fact. Claiming to have found the tomb of Jesus where His remains supposedly still lay is to discredit His resurrection. And to discredit His resurrection is to discredit Christianity. Paul said, “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen. And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor. 15:16-17). Ah, but friends, do not be fooled by the deceivers of this age, for Paul assures us that “Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep” (v. 20). Therefore we thank God for the evidence of Scripture (Isa. 53; Ps. 22; 1 Cor. 15:1-4) and for those eyewitnesses who confirmed our Lord’s resurrection (vv. 5-11; Acts 1:9).
Paul said, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection…” (Phil. 3:10). The power of His resurrection is seen in salvation’s plan (1 Pet. 3:20-21; Rom. 6:3-5). It is seen in the Christian life (Col. 3:1-4; cf. Phil. 3:4-10). It is seen in the hope of our own resurrection to eternal life (Heb. 2:14-15; 1 Cor. 15). Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (Jn. 11:25-26). Therefore friends, “Do not be unbelieving, but believing” (20:27).