I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE

Few years ago, there was a case of some cult members in one of our well known universities, who shot some of their colleagues to death in the school hostel on campus. After serious investigations which ended in futility, the school authority however resolved to take up the burial of these victims. There was a particular woman who happened to be the mother to one of these victims, sobbing, she requested to have a private talk with her son and give him last kiss before the body is taken away for burial. Of course, she was allowed to move near the corpse and satisfy her desire. Indeed, it was a very sad moment; it was as if they will never meet again.

Job once asked, “If a man dies, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14). Just like Job, many people would have ignorantly asked a question like this. As a matter of fact, every mother who has kissed her child in the last farewell; every child who has sobbed out his loneliness at the loss of a beloved parent will wonder if a day of reunion would ever dawn. Not in our days alone, even in centuries gone by, there were some people in Corinth who could not bring themselves to believe in life after death. They completely mocked the idea of resurrection. They could not see how, if a man disintegrated completely at death, he could ever be put together again.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ was foretold hundreds of years before His miracle birth. He also foretold this event to His disciples (though they didn’t initially understand). He is the Resurrection, as hundreds witnessed. The Son of God was sacrificed on our behalf for the purpose of atoning for our sins. When Jesus taught this to the people of that time, many considered it heresy and as a result, they demanded His death by crucifixion, a common means of punishment for lawbreakers. Instead of offering a defence before the councils, Jesus was silent. Why? It was the divine plan of the Father God, from the beginning of time that this be done so that we might have forgiveness and life. It was His purpose.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is however a gift from God and fulfilment of His promise. It is the very foundation of Christianity. Since the disobedience of Adam in the Garden of Eden, all mankind is born with a sin nature. The Lord tells us that there is a price to be paid for sin and that cost is death. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). A life without Christ therefore can only offer eternal death, but the acceptance of Jesus as our risen Saviour gives us eternal life. Because eternal death is not what God wants for us, He provided a way of atonement through the crucifixion of His Son, Jesus, and His resurrection. Though it was possible for Him to die, but it was not possible for Him to be held by death. Indeed, God has raised Jesus Christ from the dead and He has conquered death. Hence Jesus demonstrated His power over death before and after His resurrection. He raised many from the dead then and there, including Jairus’ daughter (Matt. 9:25), the son of the widow of Nain (Luke 7:14), and Lazarus (John 11:43).

For example, when Lazarus the brother of Mary and Martha died, it was a terrible blow on the inhabitants of Bethany. The grief of Mary and Martha knew no bound. Jesus had been a friend to the family that was now in great grief over the death of one of the members. Message had earlier been sent to Jesus when Lazarus was still sick, but He said the sickness was not unto death but for the glory of God (John 11: 4). But at last Jesus arrived in Bethany. Alas! By the time He arrived, Lazarus had died and his corpse had been laid in the grave four days. It must have taken Jesus and His disciples two days before they got to Bethany. Hope was lost. Lazarus had gone forever. When Jesus eventually came, Martha said to Him “…Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee” (John 11:21-22). What was Martha saying in essence; “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died, but now that you are here, the situation is not beyond your control. Now that you are here, my sadness will turn to joy. Now that you are present, your presence will make the difference.” What a conviction! What a Faith! Quickly Jesus assured Martha with these words of assurance “…thy brother shall rise again” (John 11:23).  Jesus however lifted up His eyes and thanked God; and He cried out with a loud voice “…Lazarus, come forth! And he that was dead came forth bound hand and foot with grave clothes; and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus said unto them, loose him and let him go (John 11:43-44).

Christ’s resurrection is the cardinal of our faith and center of our message. If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and the faith of the believer is vain and futile (1 Cor. 15: 14,17). But through the resurrection of Christ, we have new life (11 Tim. 1:9-10), new birth (1 Peter 1:3), and new beginning (11 Cor. 5:17). Christ’s resurrection offers us victory, authority and power over Satan.

In conclusion, do not forget that Christ died that man may die no more; He is risen to demonstrate His power, authority and victory over death; and after His resurrection He went to heaven to go and prepare a place for us with Him in His Father’s kingdom (Romans 8:15- 17). If by now anyone still doubt the resurrection of Jesus Christ and perhaps hope only in Him in this passing world, such person is to be pitied more than all men (1Cor.15:19). Above all, it is essential to know that Christ shall come again, and when He shall come again, He is coming to judge the living and the dead. The golden question therefore is, “Where will you and I be on that glorious day when Christ shall return?” it is our prayer that when Christ shall come again, may He find us ready and worthy in His sight. AMEN. Alleluia! Christ is risen; He is risen indeed. Alleluia!