ON EASTER

Jesus arose from the dead. This is what eye witnesses tell us in the Bible. The lifeless body, that hung on the cross and was placed in the tomb, arose, glorified and full of life. The disciples thought they saw a ghost. But Jesus said to them: "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Touch Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bone as you see that I have" (Luke 24:38,39). After this He showed them His hands and feet. And while they still could not believe, He ate in their presence and said: "These are My words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things which are written about Me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets must be fulfilled" (Luke 24:44).

In our day a new trend of thought is gaining more and more followers: Jesus' resurrection is understood symbolically. Those who support this trend are of the opinion that Jesus' bones are still in the tomb. They understand the resurrection to mean that people can bury the past and engage in the most radical endeavors, believing that something good will come of it. They make a social?political program out of religion and deny the central doctrine of Christianity.

Jesus bodily resurrection has brought us complete comfort and peace. He has conquered death. He bore our sins and died because of them, but He arose without sin. Our sins were left behind. Christ "was delivered up because of our transgressions and was raised because of our justification" (Rom. 4:25). By raising Jesus from the dead, God testified that His Son's atoning sacrifice was sufficient and forgave the sins of the world, our sins too.

Now we can have the assurance that all believers in Jesus will rise to eternal life. Jesus says: "I am the Resurrection and the Life, he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies" (John 11:25). The Apostle Paul tells us how important Jesus' bodily resurrection is. He says: "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain" (1 Cor. 15:14). But now preaching is not in vain, nor is faith useless. "For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead" (1 Cor. 15:21).

Would not a person be willing to give anything to overcome the power of death? Jesus gave His all so that He might conquer death for us. Now in joyous faith we can say: "Death, where is your victory? Death where is your sting?" (1 Cor. 15:56). Sin brought death. But now that Christ by His sacrifice has atoned for our sin, death has no power over us. Let us, therefore, courageously believe that our sins have been forgiven in Christ, our crucified and risen Savior. To us too He says: "Peace be with you!"