THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Dr. Thamsing Lamkang *

The Resurrection of Christ. Image courtesy: ScenicReflections.com

"The resurrection is rooted in history, grounded in Scripture and confirmed by experience!"

The simple facts and the truth on JESUS: Resurrection is the basis on which Christians stands and falls. The Resurrection is the unshakable ROCK of Christian evidences. Resurrection has the power to GIVE LIFE to the death! Resurrection is the greatest POWER in the world outside of the power of prayer. Wow to JESUS!!

The book of Corinthians is an early Christian and a proven document about the resurrection of Jesus. 1 Cor. 15, it explained on the resurrected Christ. It was written in about AD 54 (around 20 years after the resurrection happened). However, Paul here appears to be referring to an even earlier record. He speaks of having 'received' and 'passed on' the gospel. These are technical words of receiving and handing on an authorized tradition. We know from elsewhere in the New Testament that he received this tradition within three years of the crucifixion. This may well be the earliest creed of the church. What is its message?

Paul says he wants to remind his readers about the gospel. The gospel means 'Good News'. It is a message that brings great joy. It is good news about a person. The Corinthians received this news. They took their stand on it and by it they were 'SAVED'. The modern way of putting that would be to say that they found freedom. What is the message of the gospel?

1. THE DEATH OF CHRIST.
The Person;
The person who died was the 'CHRIST' - the 'MESSIAH', literally the 'Anointed One'. He was a fully human being but He was more than just another person. He was the son of God.

The Plan;
It was no mistake. He died 'according to the scriptures'. Jesus is unique in the history of humankind as his life and death were both described up to hundreds of years beforehand.

The Purpose;
His death was 'for our sins'. The good news is that Jesus death on the cross has made possible the forgiveness of our sins. The weight of our guilt has been removed because He has broken the power of sin, freeing us from every addiction. Every enemy has been defeated. He has disarmed the principalities and power of evil, defeating every possible enemy. We have nothing to fear!

2. THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST:
'He was Buried'
Dying and being buried does not distinguish him from others. Christianity is the only religion with a living originator. Buddha is dead; Mohammed is dead; Brahma (Hinduism) is dead; Marx (Communism) is dead; and Lenin is dead and buried. But the boast and glory of Christianity is the empty tomb. Jesus had risen!

'He was Raised'
This is the earliest historical reference to the empty tomb. The Greek word for 'RAISED' refers to something that happened in the past but whose effect remains in force. "Having been raised by God, Jesus is alive today". No one else in the history of the world has been 'raised' and is still alive!

'He Appeared'
Paul does not give an exhaustive list of the appearances but enough to show they were well attested. He appeared to the women's, to Peter, to the twelve Apostles and to over 500 others, then to all the apostles (more than the twelve), than to James, the brother of Jesus. Finally, He appeared to Paul, who is writing here his own first-hand account.

One day, Paul was at the stoning of Stephen, hungry for the blood of Christians, dragging Christians off to prison and breathing out murderous threats against them. Within a few days he was preaching that 'Jesus was the Son of God' Acts
7:54-9:22.

BELIEVING IN JESUS: The doctrine of the resurrection is the foundation of the Christian faith! In the New Testament alone Resurrection is mentioned 104 times.

"Knowing Jesus died and rose again is just like knowing a history, but believing and accepting His death and resurrection is SALVATION unto you" - Thamsing

First, Jesus died for our sins, thereby removing our guilt. The resurrection attests to the achievement of the cross. Secondly, our future is secure. Death is certain but for the Christian it is only 'Falling Asleep'. It is not to be feared. We expect to wake up in the morning. In the rest of 1 Cor. 15, Paul assures his readers that one day they too will have a resurrection body. Thirdly, the present takes on a new dimension. Jesus is alive! We can know Him. This is the heart of Christianity: "a relationship with a living person who gives meaning and purpose to life". What are we to do? Paul's answer here is that we should receive this news, believe it, hold firmly to it and pass it on to others.

Paul received this gospel's good news. He passed it on to the Corinthians; they believed it and passed it on. It has since been passed on to us down the centuries. Now it is our turn. We have been entrusted with the message. Our task is to pass it on to our Generation in a language that they can understand!

Resurrection is the greatest power for it breaks the power of the grave. Today we triumphantly say, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory?"
1 Cor. 15: 55.

Thank Jesus for dying for you. Thank Him that He is alive and live with you. Pray for the grace of God to be with you as you pass on the good news of His resurrection to others that they too might find this freedom!

Happy Easter to all readers!

---

* Dr. Thamsing Lamkang wrote this article and shared it through e-pao.net
The writer is Sports Ambassadors - India at Sports Resource Center, Dimapur and can be contacted at thams2000 (at) yahoo (dot) co (dot) uk
This article was posted on March 30, 2013

---