The Glories of Christ's Resurrection

The resurrection of Jesus Christ out from among the dead marks the greatest watershed moment of all history. It is the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It was the focus of Christ's teaching to His disciples (Mark 8:31). It was predicted in the Old Testament (Job 19:25-27; Ps. 16:9-11). John Locke, the 17th century philosopher whose ideas greatly influenced our Declaration of Independence, wrote: “Our Savior's resurrection is truly of great importance in Christianity, so great that His being or not being the Messiah stands or falls with it.”

Christ's resurrection is well-attested. Thomas actually touched the resurrection body of Christ. Over 500 eye-witnesses saw Jesus between His resurrection and His ascension. The original eleven apostles were transformed by the resurrection into bold witnesses. Since then honest men – like Gilbert West and Lord Lyttleton – who set out to disprove Christ's resurrection, have been compelled to admit that they were won over by the evidence for it.

The blessed implications of Christ's glorious resurrection constitute an incentive both to be saved and to serve. How can we be discouraged, despairing, or defeated when our resurrected Savior has proven and promised so much?