“Christ has indeed been raised from the dead.” 1 Corinthians 15:20 NIV.
If you will not believe God’s Word and it turns out to be true, you will have lost everything.
My thoughts and comments today are about “lies, exaggerations, and truth.”
You have heard it said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” The world is a confusing mix of lies, exaggerations, and truth. Lies are a deliberate attempt to deceive. Exaggerations are a bit of truth stretched to incredulity. Something is either all true or it is not truth at all. Easter asks you to believe the unbelievable because the literal, bodily Resurrection of Jesus is the incontrovertible proof.
People stand stunned and grieving at gravesides, hoping there is something more beyond that false finality, but fearful to believe. In the disquiet of their soul a nagging question lingers, “What if this is true?” Let’s be practical, “If you believe God’s Word and it turns out to be untrue, you have lost nothing; if you will not believe God’s Word and it turns out to be true, you will have lost everything!”
Be very clear. God never made promises that were not true. The Apostle Paul reasoned, “True, some . . were unfaithful; but just because they broke their promises, does that mean that God will break His promises? Of course not! Though everyone else in the world is a liar, God is true. As the Scriptures say, ‘He will be proven right in what He says; He will win His case in court.’” Romans 3:3-4 NLT.
Easter is about an empty cross, an empty tomb, and empty grave clothes – but not an empty promise. The Resurrection of Jesus assures you God’s promises are real. The Apostle Peter courageously preached, “God raised Jesus from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.” Acts 2:25. Neither the cross, the tomb, nor the grave clothes could hold Jesus; they are each empty as proof of God’s power for your life.
(1)The empty cross promises forgiven sin. The Bible says, “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Jesus embraced the cross so you could be forgiven of sin. “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith: Who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2-3.
(2)The empty tomb promises eternal life. When the Christ-followers believed the Resurrection, they chose to die rather than deny truth. Paul reasoned, “If only in this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead . .” See 1 Corinthians 15:16-20 NIV. If faith in Christ does not include the Resurrection – His and yours – faith is futile.
(3)The empty grave clothes promise a living Savior. See Luke 24:9-12 NKJV. As the angels said to the bewildered women that first Easter dawn, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? Jesus is not here; He is risen!” Luke 24:5-6 NKJV. Christ is risen indeed.
My prayer for you today is that you know the hope of Resurrection is true – no lie, no exaggeration.