HE IS RISEN INDEED
Liberal theologians say that the Easter story is just that--a myth , a legend, manufactured by the authors of the New Testament.
This skepticism has been around since the German theologians of the early 1800s. It is prevalent in the theologically liberal seminaries until this day.
If mortals who are prone to boasting and celebrating in grand style, manufactured the Easter story, why then would they tell it in such a low-key manner?
The focus of the Easter story is a man coming back to life in just three days.
That would seem to be worthy of trumpets blaring, cymbals clanging, and a great parade down main street for all to witness.
There has never been a larger event than the resurrection of a humble man from Nazareth.
He is hated, and despised by both the religious establishment and the political figureheads.
They had planned for months to have him slain publicly by hanging him on a cross.
But He had other plans.
In around seventy two hours He is up and doing, appearing amongst His friends, going about the country in His new body that can think, talk, touch others, and even eat a fish dinner with His loved ones.
One of the greatest testimonies to the truth of the Easter story it is that is just the opposite of what the writers of fiction would pen.
Instead of the garish hoopla, Jesus went to the common man in the common places.
In John ch 21 we see where the resurrected Christ is found in the northern part of the country, not in the largest population center of Jerusalem.
He is not celebrating with His friends, nor is He confronting His enemies, Pilate and Herod, nor is He flaunting the reality of His resurrection before the high priest of the temple.
Further when Jesus meets up with some to exchange in friendship sharing, its not the elite, the rich, or the popular.
It is those whom society would label as losers.
There is Peter, the man who betrayed Jesus.
He sees Thomas, the one who is called doubter.
He visits with John and James, the two brothers, who had just a few days before contended among the other disciples about their desires for eminence on the Kingly throne of Jesus.
He visits with others who remained unnamed, obviously they were not important enough among their peers to mention.
That is not the fabric of a lie, written by a group of men bound by agreement to propagate falsehoods.
That is the truth about a Savior who defied and conquered over death, hell and the grave.
Then, as today Jesus goes to those whom He loves.
That gives me great comfort for I too have betrayed, doubted, and used His Kingdom riches for my own service.
I too deserve to remain anonymous, and yet the Christ still comes to me, loves me, talks to me, and gives me a hope for a personal resurrection, through Him alone.
When I consider the story of Easter, I know with certainty that there is nothing in this life that can take my faith, undo my desire for His righteousness, or cause eternal life in Him to be a futile hope.
The resurrection of Jesus is the wonderful promise that, anything is possible for us, in and through Him.
Thank you Jesus.
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