God is Life-Giving • Mark 16:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, 26-28
By Bobby McKay
Spring has sprung, and Easter is evident! The pastels are everywhere, and egg hunts are underway. Although the date of Easter Sunday varies each year, the celebrations and traditions remain the same. Churches will host larger crowds this weekend, and lunch might include a few extra calories. For Christians, Easter is both a reminder and a celebration. If one word had to describe Easter, I believe it would be “life.” While we reflect on the death of Christ on Good Friday, we celebrate the knowledge that Jesus is alive and the tomb is empty. This same eternal life is the hope of every believer and is available to all who choose to trust Him today.
The death, burial, and resurrection are historical facts. (Mark 16:1-6)
Some of you may remember Chuck Colson, the former aide to President Richard Nixon. If you need a good quote for your Bible study class or personal reflection, consider what he once said: “I know the resurrection is a fact, and Watergate proved it to me. How? Because 12 men testified they had seen Jesus raised from the dead, then they proclaimed that truth for 40 years, never once denying it. Every one was beaten, tortured, stoned, and put in prison. They would not have endured that if it weren’t true. Watergate embroiled 12 of the most powerful men in the world, and they couldn’t keep a lie for three weeks. Are you telling me 12 apostles could keep a lie for 40 years? Absolutely impossible.”
Christ’s death and resurrection are central to the Gospel. (1 Cor. 15:1-4)
Have you ever thought about how meaningless and hopeless your life would be if Christ had not been resurrected? The resurrection is the core of the redemption story. Without it, there would be no salvation or atonement. There would be no Easter Sunday to celebrate, no need for churches, pastors, missions, or evangelism. Choirs, student groups, Christmas, men’s ministry, women’s Bible study, and worship would be pointless without Christ’s resurrection. That’s why Easter Sunday is such an important celebration: we are truly lost without it! You might come to church this Sunday for the juice and donuts, but our Savior lives, and we should rejoice.
Christ’s resurrection means eternal life for those who belong to Him. (1 Cor. 15:20-22)
This year, as I reflect on Easter, the word obedience comes to mind. The resurrection is possible because of Christ’s obedience to the Father. We are saved by obeying His commands to repent and trust Him, through grace and faith. We are made alive through Christ, and we are called to live each day in the hope of His power. The more we focus on Easter’s power, the more eager we should be to share the Gospel story with others. Knowing that the penalty and punishment for our sins have been erased by Christ’s blood is too incredible to keep to ourselves. Because Christ is alive, we have hope in difficult times, peace in moments of grief, and forgiveness when we fall short. With a risen Christ as our Savior, we find strength during temptation and joy in adversity. We belong to Him, and because He lives, we can too.
McKay is pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church, Morton.
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