Faith in the Resurrection
Aron Lee Ralston’s story of being trapped under a boulder is just as unbelievable as Jesus’ Resurrection. But that doesn’t make it any less true.
Like the narratives of Christ's birth, the accounts of His crucifixion and resurrection are so familiar that we can miss the full intensity of the unexpected event. Though Jesus warned His disciples, they were not at all prepared for the trauma of His death or the shock of His Resurrection. Because we know the outcome, it's hard for us to identify with what they must have felt.
Although we may wish we could have been present at Jesus' birth, who wishes to have seen His cruel, torturous death? Few want to read the details of what He suffered. We've sanitized Easter with aromatic lilies and colourful eggs.
But we must know exactly why the Father let His Son hang on the cross and why Jesus chose not to escape it. We need to grasp the glory of His resurrection. What blending of love and power can we see in these events? It's almost as if Jesus could hear the tearful praises of future believers singing:
My sin—O, the bliss of this glorious tho't—
My sin—not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!1
We hope these resources will help you better understand what really happened when Jesus died and rose from the dead, why there was no other alternative, and why it makes all the difference today!
¹Horatio Spafford, “It Is Well with My Soul.”
Aron Lee Ralston’s story of being trapped under a boulder is just as unbelievable as Jesus’ Resurrection. But that doesn’t make it any less true.
How can we be so certain that we will be resurrected? What is the source of our assurance? What gives us unshakable confidence in the face of death? The fact of Christ’s Resurrection.
When John arrived, he stopped at the entrance and looked inside. Peter ran straight into the tomb and was shocked by what he saw. Joining Peter inside the tomb, I like to think that John whispered, “He’s alive!”
Just before Christ died on the cross he said, “It is finished!” His death covered over our sins completely. There is nothing left that needs to be finished by man.
First John 1:9 says “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins....” Forgiveness is what the cross was all about.
Christ proved His love in that while we were still sinners He died for us. Do you know Christ died for you?
Jesus’ final words were spoken to His disciples but meant for everyone. And they’re life changing.
Stir your heart as you listen to Pastor Chuck Swindoll exploring the promise of heaven in which your hope will culminate with the very presence of the object of your hope, Jesus Christ!
Recently while thinking of the glorious message of the Resurrection, I found myself suddenly overwhelmed with the music that has accompanied the subject of the empty tomb for centuries. Various scenes crossed my mind.
If Christ did not come back to life, then those who put their trust in Him have absolutely no hope. It’s as simple as that. But...He did come back to life, and now His followers get to experience all the hope that resurrection offers.