Alan Bromley International
Student Ministries Canada
The Easter story illustrates the power of hope. Although Jesus had warned his followers of his suffering and death and promised his resurrection, they were completely overwhelmed by the events of that Passover weekend.
Their master and promised Messiah was arrested and brutally treated by the authorities. He was mocked, accused, flogged and sentenced to the cruelest execution known to man - crucifixion. Centurions, soldiers, enemies and friends witnessed his death. Friends laid him in a borrowed tomb, conducting a hasty burial because of the coming holy day. His followers were devastated, fearful and discouraged. How could this have happened?
Early Sunday morning a group of women returned to the tomb to complete the burial, wondering who would remove the stone. To their surprise the stone was rolled away and the body gone. A heavenly messenger asked, "Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"
They were still not convinced. Later Peter and John came to the tomb to check out the women's stories. John tells how he saw the strips of linen lying there with the burial cloth for the head, like a hollow cocoon. John saw and believed.
Clergy Comment
Alan Bromley
International Student Ministries Canada
For others it took more convincing. That evening Jesus appeared to the disciples, suddenly appearing in a locked room. He showed them his scars. Thomas was absent and declared that unless he could see the nail marks in his hands and touch the wound in Jesus' side he would not believe.
The next time Jesus appeared Thomas was present. He does not have to touch the scars. Jesus is alive. He exclaims, "My Lord and my God!"
The apostle Paul tells of more than 500 witnesses to the resurrection, including personal appearances to Peter and James, the brother of Jesus, who had been a skeptic during Jesus' ministry. He tells of his own meeting with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul says that he "was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord."
What was the impact of Jesus' resurrection? A group of dispirited followers became so convinced that Jesus was really alive that they changed their world and ours. They now had assurance of forgiveness and eternal life. Their practical demonstration of Christ's love in their community drew thousands to follow Jesus. Threats or persecution could not stop them proclaiming the Good News that Jesus had conquered death. The disciples and Paul went to martyr's deaths fearlessly proclaiming, "Christ is Risen!"
Sir Lionel Luckhoo, the world's most successful trial lawyer claimed, "I say unequivocally that the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ is so overwhelming that it compels acceptance by proof which leaves absolutely no room for doubt."
Peter says, "In his great mercy he (God) has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade."
Christ's resurrection brings a certain hope to face whatever life puts in our path with an assurance of God's presence and strength in this life and eternal life beyond the gates of death.
