Based on “Dead People Walking” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 4/23-24/11,Message #HOL116; Daily Devotional #5 - “Validating the Resurrection”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): There never seems to be a shortage of “historical experts” to present the case against the Biblical accounts of a worldwide flood, the destruction of Sodom, the Exodus, or the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. In the name of science we see people presenting theories as historical fact that are sometimes harder to swallow than the miracles they are attempting to refute. The Biblical account of the resurrection of Jesus has had many opponents throughout history. One of the original disciples, Thomas the Apostle, stated that he would not believe that Jesus had defeated the grave until he himself saw him and could touch the wounds he received at Calvary. A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:26-29) Thomas received the validation he needed and went on to faithfully spread the Gospel outside of the Roman Empire, all the way into India.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): We as Christ followers must be careful to not compromise the Biblical account of the resurrection. Christ did die on the cross and, after three days, rose from the grave. Jesus was a fully living person; he was not a ghost. Jesus was physical – He ate food, and His wounds were real. The resurrection of Christ is the foundation of our hope and salvation. The resurrection was necessary to prove the claim by Jesus that He was the Son of God (Romans 1:4), which is also why the religious leaders had him put to death. Through the resurrection of Jesus, God confirmed and vindicated His Son and His works. Jesus conquered death. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. (1 Corinthians 15:13-14) For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. (1 Corinthians 15:16-17) The Resurrection of Jesus fulfilled hundreds of Biblical prophecies in the Old Testament, and because of it the Word is complete.
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): Be careful not to take the resurrection lightly. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the single most important event in the history of man. It is a fact that we cannot allow ourselves to bend on and potentially compromise our belief in. Our eternal destiny hinges on how we receive and interpret the resurrection of Jesus Christ. “…I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me shall live even if he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26) The Bible tells us that in heaven we will receive bodies that are perfect and unscarred for all of eternity. The only scars in heaven will be the same wounds that Thomas saw on Jesus. We need to make sure that we are not waiting to physically see them ourselves before opening our hearts to His salvation and grace.
Cultivating: (Additional Reading): Matthew 28:1-10; John 20:1-10
WSK
Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673
All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.