Our Hope Depends On A Risen Savior

by Dane Massey

   (Dane Massey is the former Pastor of Mulvane Christian Church. He is now in ministry in Houston, Texas.)  

   The Grave Is Empty!  Christ has risen!  What does it mean? 

   The greatest event in human history and the apex of God’s redemptive work!  The Truth that has been derided, assailed, disputed, doubted and lied about for more than 2,000 years has never been disproved. 

   More than 500 eyewitnesses and not one ever recanted!

    The Resurrection stands as:

   The: vindication of Christ, His Deity, His righteousness and the truth of every word He spoke.

    Validation of His sacrifice on the cross for sinners, that it was complete, sufficient, and finished.

     He was and is the propitiation for our sins.  He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 

   Timothy Keller is right when he says, “If Jesus rose from the dead, then you have to accept all that he said; if he didn’t rise from the dead, then why worry about any of what he said?”

   The issue on which everything hangs is not whether or not you like his teaching but whether or not he rose from the dead.

    For thousands of years of history, this planet was nothing but a grave yard.  Every advancement ended with a tomb.  Within days after creation sin entered and death by sin so that death passed upon all men.  Genesis closes with a coffin and the Old Testament with a curse.

   But the New Testament lives with resurrection life!  The empty tomb is God’s answer to Ecclesiastes:

    “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth forever.” (Ecclesiastes 1:2-4).

   Gods answer:

    “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

    The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,” which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

   Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” (I Corinthians 15:54-58)

   Today on Easter Sunday, I want to rejoice in, reflect on, and celebrate with you that Christ has risen, the payment for our sin is complete, sufficient and finished, death no longer reigns and the grave is defeated! 

   The testimony of the empty tomb stands, and the throne at the Father’s right hand is filled by the One “who ever lives to make intercession for us.” 

   May our hearts be humbled in repentance, rejoicing in His mercy and forgiveness, and empowered by His Victory!