“Does it Really Matter if Jesus was Resurrected?”

Mondo Gonzales, Pastor

CrossRoads Community Church in New Lenox

www.ccc-nl.org

“If Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless.” 1 Corinthians 15:17

As you read this, I hope that most of you spent last weekend celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth from the dead almost 2000 years ago. The belief of Jesus coming back to life after He was crucified for the sins of those who would believe is what the entire Christian faith hangs upon. As Paul wrote in the passage above, if Jesus is not raised then our faith if worthless. He goes on to say that if Jesus isn’t really alive, then we become false teachers because we are going around telling everyone that Jesus really is alive. If Jesus is not alive today, then we are still living in a state of death and unforgiveness with no hope of salvation or heaven.

What exactly is the significance of the resurrection? Romans 4:25 teaches us, “He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” Let’s go a little deeper here in understanding the theological background to what Paul is saying. We are sinners and that sin separates us from a holy and just God. That same God expects payment to be made for all the sins we have committed. Due to His great love for us, He sent Jesus down to die on a cross in payment for those sins. According to Hebrews 9:27, there is no forgiveness of sin without the shedding of blood. So, Jesus died and shed his blood so that our sins could be paid for. Now, imagine with me for a moment that we had just watched the crucifixion take place and then Jesus was buried. The next day we are waiting and wondering if God actually accepted what Jesus did on the cross or if it was all a hoax. After three days, God raised Jesus from the dead to prove to all of us that He indeed accepted Jesus’ sacrifice. The resurrection shows that God will forgive all those who repent of their sins and put their faith in what Jesus accomplished on the cross.

Now, let’s imagine a different scenario. We are waiting three, four, 10, 40 days later and Jesus is rotting in the tomb. What would we realize from that? I guess God didn’t accept Jesus’ death on the cross and so we are still in a state of unforgiveness! That is Paul’s point in saying that if Jesus had not risen from the dead, then our faith is worthless.

The story of the resurrection provides the greatest hope and assurance that mankind has ever been offered. You can have eternal life and you can know it with 100% assurance. John wrote to us in 1 John 5:13, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” God wants you to know that if you have placed your trust in Him, then the Resurrected Jesus has given you eternal life and you will be with Him in His kingdom. What a blessing we have from the truths of God’s Word.

As I close out this column, it has been reported through some Hollywood documentaries that they found Jesus’ family tomb just south of Jerusalem. Not only His family, but supposedly the actual bones of Jesus. It is interesting that people make a lot of money from these movies preying upon the gullible. My academic background is in archaeology and to see so many people believe this unscientific and shoddy reporting is disheartening. If you want more info on the facts behind these claims please visit www.thejesustombhoax.com. The greatest truth and hope we have is that Jesus is alive. It is my prayer that you have made Jesus your personal Savior this Resurrection season. Have a blessed week!

New Lenox Patriot, March 27, 2008, Page B-6 & B-7.