“My Favorite Day Of The Year”
Easter may be my favorite day of the year, and it is definitely my favorite holiday. It is not my favorite holiday because of family lunch at mom’s (although that is awesome), chocolate (also awesome), the Easter bunny, Easter eggs, or Peeps (an invention of the devil, ranking only slightly above cats). It is my favorite day because we focus on and celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which (in conjunction with His death on the cross) is the greatest and most important event in the history of the world. The resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of our faith. It settled my faith in a time of doubt. It gives us life and hope. It guarantees us victory over death. It gives us a purpose for living. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, Christianity is just a giant lie. Josh McDowell has written, “I have come to the conclusion that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the most wicked, vicious, heartless hoaxes ever foisted upon the minds of men, or it is the most fantastic fact of history.” Why do I believe it is “most fantastic fact of history?” Here are a few of the reasons for you to consider:
- The fact that Scripture and the early church creeds were written so close to the time of the resurrection (which means there wasn’t time for legends to arise), and they claim the tomb was empty and Jesus appeared to His followers.
- Many of His followers gave their lives not for what they believed but what they saw.
- Peter preaching Jesus in Jerusalem less than two months after he denied Jesus, and the religious leaders opposing the church but not being able to produce a body to shut it up.
- James worshipping his brother as God.
- The conversion of Saul the persecutor to Paul the follower and preacher of Jesus.
- The claim that the women discovered the tomb and were the first eyewitnesses to the risen Lord when a woman’s testimony was not accepted in that society in that day and time.
- The non-biblical, non-Christian historical evidence.
- Jews who were strictly monotheistic and revered Yahweh now worshipping Jesus as God.
- The changes in their religion made by these Jews such as going from synagogue to church, worshipping on Saturday to worshipping on Sunday, abolishing the sacrificial system in favor of the ordinances of baptism and communion, law to grace, and a political Messiah to a spiritual Messiah
- The lack of a compelling explanation that fits the facts other than the resurrection
What do you believe about Jesus and His resurrection? Will you consider the evidence for the resurrection? Will you personally trust Him as your Lord and Savior? When we are trusting Jesus, everyday is Easter because we are living in the hope and power of His resurrection. Let’s rejoice, celebrate, and worship Him like He’s alive this Easter and every day.
Every time I have shared my faith from 1982-until 2013, I have shared with people who have some knowledge of Jesus/Christianity. In 2013, they have been people who know almost nothing about Him or the Bible, very smart people, just never heard. This week while preparing for ESL (we read a portion of the Bible each week), I felt so inadequate talking about the resurrection. His death was easy to speak of, but how to be compelling without sounding like a myth has been in my thoughts. I will be looking into these facts to be prepared to “compel them to come”. Thanks for equipping us.