3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. 1 Corinthians 15:3-8
It is a terrifying experience for the lights to go out in a prison. I worked in a death row and disciplinary confinement institution in Florida. I still remember several times proctoring tests in a room with inmates when the darkness enveloped me. You never know if someone will try to take advantage of the chaos and try to escape or get revenge.
It must have seemed to the disciples that the flicker of hope dimmed then faded to black. Jesus faced excruciating trials during his final week. The disciples slept as He prayed and accepted the will of the Father that He would take the cup of God’s wrath. Judas kissed and betrayed Jesus, the Pharisees and their allies demanded his death, and a Roman governor washed his hands of the matter and released a murderer.
38 Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” 41 In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. 42 “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” 44 In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him. Matthew 27:38-44
Times would get even harder for the Messiah and His followers. Roman soldiers nailed Jesus to a cross, placed a crown of thorns on his head, pierced him with a spear, and then sealed his dead body in a tomb. Peter denied his Lord three times, the disciples hid in fear, and Jewish leaders thought they had silenced Jesus once and for all. This light so profoundly illuminated in the savior’s birth and ministry appeared to fade into total darkness. As night fell so did the hope of the disciples. But then Christ arose. He is risen!!!!
The resurrection of Jesus is of central importance to the New Testament. It affirms the divinity of Jesus, marks the words and deeds of his ministry with the Father’s seal of approval, and opens the way to the future resurrection of believers.
The bodily resurrection of Jesus is the crowning proof that Jesus was who he claimed to be: the King of Kings and Lord of Lords in human flesh. Indeed, the resurrection of Jesus is so important to the Christian faith that the New Testament writers insist that no one can be saved without it.
How much time do we take to think deeply and pray about what Jesus endured so that we might have eternal life with the Father? Do we contemplate how He who was without sin became an offering so that we can be adopted into the family of God? Do we think about what it means that Jesus rose again with power and then ascended to the right hand of the Father in glory?
I am reminded of some of the lyrics from Were You There (an American Spiritual likely written by slaves, first published in 1899).
Were you there when they crucified my Lord
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Ooh sometimes it causes me to tremble, tremble, tremble, tremble,
Were you there when they nailed him to the cross
Prayer: Abba Father, thank you for sending Your Son to live, die, and rise from the dead for us. Thank you that Jesus became a perfect sin offering, so that we may have abundant life. We praise you for providing Your Spirit for us and adopting us into Your family. In the blessed name of Jesus, we pray, amen.