It is great to have you join us this morning to celebrate not just the birth or the death but also the resurrection of Jesus.
I remember seeing a cartoon where the question was asked “why is Jesus the only way to God?”. The answer came back, “do you know anyone else who rose from the dead?”
The crucifixion of Jesus on that first Good Friday along with His bodily resurrection on the following Sunday stand as marker posts in history. Had Jesus never died on the cross and been raised from the dead the world would be a totally different and harsher place than it is now.
A crucified Saviour reminds us that our sins really do matter. Not only are they the reason why our friendships and community life are greatly diminished but they rightly invite God’s judgement.
The glorious message of Easter is grounded in that extraordinary act of mercy and kindness where Jesus, God’s own unique Son, willingly stands condemned in our place on the cross. This means that forgiveness is available to all who would own up to their sin and own Jesus as their Saviour.
When did you or maybe, when are you, going to respond the challenge the resurrected Jesus brings to us? If Jesus is Lord, and His resurrection proves that He is and He is not your Lord and Master, who is going to win in the end?
I know of one person whose life was changed forever by this reality. That night he quietly asked God for forgiveness and asked Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour. And all because Jesus died and rose again.
Jesus’ bodily resurrection is well attested in history (the New Testament documents are both more reliable and more numerous than for any comparable event in history). Sociologically Jesus’ resurrection is observably true. Societies and individuals have been radically changed by countless men, women and institutions whose way has been that of humble sacrificial service like their Saviour.
Even prominent atheists and leaders in western society have to acknowledge the radical positive transformation our society has been through and continues to go through by people serving their Saviour. The two events go together.
Jesus’ resurrection on the Sunday is God’s ‘amen’ to Jesus’ triumphant cry “it is finished”. The debt had been paid in full. Jesus’ words “it is finished” was the first ancient accountants word for ‘paid in full.’
The resurrection of Jesus’ means we know the answer to the question “which religion is true?” It assures us that there is life after death and life before death. Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins marks Christianity as the way of grace so different to other religions, whose message is do your best and try to work your way to heaven.
These two days have changed the world because they provide the way back to God. They also provide the pattern for life that God made us for. To die to our sin and to live for the Risen Christ (who gives us strength through His Spirit and an understanding ear when we pray) is the out come of Easter.
One man once put it like this:
Upon a life I did not live, upon a death I did not die, another’s life, another’s death, I stake my whole eternity.
Easter demands a choice but delivers a wonderful confidence.