...If

Something so crucial.

When we discuss the resurrection of Christ, we’re talking about an idea so imperative, the Son literally rises or falls upon it. There are many well-known theories surrounding what “could’ve” happened in regards to Christ rising from the dead. None of these can be given any real credibility without bringing the infallibility of the Bible into question which deals with the aspects of Jesus’ crucifixion matter of factly.

From the Roman soldier who WOULD’VE broken Christ’s legs, except he saw he was already dead (there goes the swoon theory), down to the more than 500 brothers and sisters who saw Him after His resurrection.
Ultimately it boils down to one of two choices; either something DID or absolutely DID NOT happen.

Falling to the DID side of this big IF, the ramifications are incomparable. For this single figure in all of human history not only accomplished what no one else did, He did it as He predicted. Many people make claims, I guess it’s just something we do. However, we know that not all claims made are carried out. I think of magicians as they often make claims that are meant to ‘amaze and astound’ – to do the impossible!

David Blaine is an amazing magician, but Criss Angel has done some of the same or at least equally mind-blowing feats. Fact of the matter is, although they’re going after a “WOW” moment, not many people believe that what they’re doing is NOT a trick – and for those who believe the illusion, they immediately credit a spiritual possibility; hyper-spiritual sensitivity or worse - in league with dark spiritual forces. Isn’t that interesting? We see things as either impossible, or only possible if there’s a spiritual element at work.

Christ not only made claims but also affirmed that his death and the taking up of his life again would be according to the Scriptures. His death would be carried out by people who wasn't in on helping Him to fulfill His WOW moment. The people who did what He predicted either had absolutely no knowledge of it or such a compromised understanding of the Scriptures that they were just as blind to the truth of who He was.

This is the same predicament were in today, people either have no idea whatsoever, or what limited understanding they do have is so marred by contemporary issues that they don't afford him the proper honor and reverence He's due. Pascal's Wager, named for the famed Frenchman Blaise Pascal, published an interesting and compelling argument. It’s the idea of hedging your bets: Better to act as if Christ’s claims are true - the consequences of error being kindness wasted and a sacrificial life unrequited. Rather than assuming Christ is not true and incurring a much more severe eventuality.

Here’s The Word;

1 Corinthians 15:14 And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.

1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins.

1 Corinthians 15:19 If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

For those of us who believe that our hearts have been genuinely touched by the reality of the risen LORD, we know that this new life is much more than a hopeful ‘safety net’.
For us, this is the most provocative and only matter that matters.
Christ’s resurrection affirms everything about who He said He was, as well as His attestation to the truth of The Scriptures. This puts us at a point of serious declaration; how important it is to receive the rest of the story in full and total commitment to walk worthy. The Lord deals seriously with those who are aspiring to ‘believe’ – how He evaluates active dedication over impressing words and superficial display.

Matthew 15:8-9 These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules

In closing, words can’t express just how important and imperative it is to know AND follow Christ. For what we do here in this life, in response to His way, His truth and His life matters, but it matters more in the mindset of what He’s preparing us for. So then…for us,
      if it’s really no longer about IF, then it’s most certainly about WHEN.


In Him,
Cros