Ever since the first official announcement of the resurrection of Christ, there has been a conspiracy to explain it away. The Roman guards at the tomb were instructed to report that the disciples stole the body of Jesus (Matt. 28:13). Since then, dozens of other alternative explanations of the resurrection have surfaced.

     A number of years ago, Frank Morrison sought to write a book that would explain once and for all what really happened that first Easter. He was convinced he could shatter the faith of the most sincere believer. Assuming Jesus had not miraculously risen from the dead, Morrison set out to study the alternative explanations. As a lawyer, he gathered the evidence and possible interpretations. As he asked the question, "Who moved the stone?" his conclusions were somewhat different than anticipated.

     Morrison realized the resurrection of Christ was not as unhistorical as he had imagined. He systematically eliminated the alternative explanations due to lack of supporting evidence or their conflict with the known facts of history. After a long search for an answer, Morrison published his manuscript as a Christian. Over the years, it has been known as one of the finest apologetics for the historicity of the resurrection of Christ.

     The resurrection of Christ is the evident demonstration of / victory over sin and the grave. It is the basis of new life in our Christianity. Inasmuch as the life of Christ is the "hinge" of history (all time is dated B.C., Before Christ, or A.D., anno Domini), then the resurrection of Christ is more than a historical fact. The resurrection is the basis for victorious Christian living and successful Christian service.

THE NATURE OF THE RESURRECTION

     When the women arrived at the tomb on Easter morning, they discovered that the body of Jesus was missing. They did not fully understand what had happened. The resurrection involved much more than reviving the physical body of Jesus. The body and spirit that had separated at death once again were reunited. Jesus was now subjecting the powers of Satan, based upon the authority of the cross. Before his death, he was subjected to the limitation of humanity, but in his resurrected body he once again enjoyed access to heaven. Jesus applied the spiritual authority and position of his new life to all believers. So the issues concerning the resurrection of Christ are certainly much more than the mystery of a missing body.

     Resurrection—Renewed life. There can be no denying that, Jesus died on the cross. The Romans who were responsible: for the actual execution of Christ were professionals. They had crucified more than one man before Jesus and crucified many after him. They understood when a man was dead, and they understood the nature of death because it was a part of their job. The holiday season was approaching so the Roman soldiers came to break the legs of Jesus and the two thieves so that they would die that day. But Jesus was already dead. When they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they broke not his legs" (John 19:33). When the soldier pierced the side of Jesus, it was evident that the blood and water had begun to separate in his body (John 19:34). There is no doubt about the physical death of Christ.

     Jesus had irritated the Jews when he predicted, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (John 2:19). By this prophecy, Jesus was predicting both his resurrection and attributing the source of its power to himself. Jesus raised himself from the dead, but it was not his power alone. At Pentecost, Peter reminded his listeners that God the Father had a part in the resurrection. They had crucified Jesus, "whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it" (Acts 2:24). Finally, the Scriptures teach that the Holy Spirit had a part in the resurrection. "If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Rom. 8:11).

     Resurrection—Reunion of body and spirit. One of the controversial questions confronting medical doctors today is the method of determining death. Doctors once agreed that death occurs when a person's heart stops beating, but today medical technology has advanced to the point that a heart sometimes can be revived after it stops beating as during a heart attack. A heart that has stopped working can be supported by an electronic pacemaker, or even be replaced with the heart of another who is otherwise considered dead.

     Other methods of determining the onset of death include the absence of brain activity, or cessation of bodily impulses. Medically, our definition of death may change a dozen or more times during our lifetime, but the biblical definition of death is always considered the separation of a person's body and spirit: "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (James 2:26). When Jesus died, "He bowed his head, and gave up the ghost" (John 19:30). At the resurrection of Christ, the body and spirit that were separated were once again reunited.

     Resurrection—Subjecting the power of death. Death was never part of the original plan of God for man. Death only became a part of the human experience when Satan was successful in causing man to fall into sin. "Wherefore, as by one man's entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned" (Rom. 5:12). The resurrection of Jesus after he endured the experience of death is proof that believers will also be raised after they die and are buried in the grave.

     In discussing the resurrection, Paul wrote, "Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave;, where is thy victory?" (1 Cor. 15:54, 55). He recognized that Christ had gained a victory for believers over death in his resurrection. "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality" (1 Cor. 15:51-53).

     When Jesus was crucified and died, some theologians teach that the devil thought he had gained a victory. Satan wanted to prohibit or destroy Christ (Gen. 3:15; Matt. 4:1-11). His part in "bruising the heel of Christ" (Gen. 3:15) was a necessary step to the resurrection of Christ, which would seal his own fate and cause his power to be subjected to Christ's authority. When Jesus conquered the grave, he did so for all who would some day have to die. In ignorance, Satan's activity in the crucifixion of Christ was actually helping Christ accomplish his work.

     Resurrection—A new glory. When Jesus left heaven to come to earth, part of the kenosis experience was his voluntary setting aside of the glory in heaven, and assuming the limitations of a human body. He submitted himself to the plan and protection of the Father. Jesus told his disciples, "My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work" (John 4:34). When Jesus arose from the dead, he had finished the work of his father and was ready to receive his former glory. During the years he spent as a man on earth he was led by the Holy Spirit and accomplished the purpose of the Father. After the resurrection Jesus received his former glory and former position in heaven. But, because of his resurrection, Jesus has new responsibilities. He is now our intercessor before the Father (Heb. 7:25) and our advocate with the Father (John 2:1). At his ascension, Jesus returned to the glory that he gave up at the virgin birth. He did pray to receive "the glory which I had with thee before the world was" (John 17:5), but he also is "the man in the glory" (Heb. 7:24). He is the Lamb who is glorified in heaven (Rev. 5:7-14).

     Resurrection-Spiritual life. The apostle Paul equated his own spiritual experience with that of the resurrection life of Christ, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Gal. 2:20). This was not a postconversion experience in the mind of Paul, but rather he saw every Christian receiving the spiritual life of Christ at conversion. Being raised together with Christ resulted in a change in the Christian's standing in the heavenlies, and should result in a change in state on earth. "Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4).

     One benefit of the resurrection of Christ was the sharing of spiritual life with believers. God is at work in our lives as Christians "according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19, 20). The key to living the victorious Christian life is simply allowing God to live his life through the believer. The secret of successful Christianity is in applying the. truth of the union that exists between Christ and the believer. The enthusiasm of New Testament Christianity is experienced when we understand our life has been placed into the life of God.

     Resurrection—A glorified body. Jesus arose from the dead with a glorified body. This was the same body which he had on earth, but it was now transformed. The wounds of the nails in his hands and feet (Ps. 22:16) and the cut in his side were still visible (John 20:25-29). This transformed body engaged in some of the same physical activity of any human body. He still breathed (John 20:22), talked (John 21:15), stood . (John 21:4), ate (Luke 24:41-43) and walked (Luke 24:15). Yet, after his resurrection, the body of Jesus was also different. He was not always easily recognized by his disciples (Luke 24:31). He could pass through barred doors and windows 1 and appear or disappear. There is no evidence that the resurrection body of Christ needed rest or sustenance to sustain it.

     While he could eat, the Bible does not indicate that he" had to do so. While this resurrection body of Jesus was the' same as his preresurrection body, it was also uniquely transformed.

     Perhaps the relationship that exists can be seen by contrasting an acorn and an oak. Both are the same in that the oak is the product of an acorn. No distinction can be made in terms of essence. Yet as the acorn dies and is buried, it springs to life as an oak. While the body of Christ is essentially the same before and after the resurrection, certain distinctives are noticeable as demonstrated in the following chart.

     Jesus accomplished a number of things in his resurrection that affect our life. Essentially, the resurrection of Christ permitted Christ to apply the victories or accomplishments of the cross to the believer. But beyond the benefits of the cross; there are also the benefits of the resurrection that are applied , to the believer. Jesus began a new dimension to his work and ministry. These various accomplishments affect our daily walk with Christ and our legal position in the heavenlies.

     Giving eternal life. Every Christian has eternal life, this is why Jesus came (John 3:16). The basis for eternal life is the resurrection. "Jesus said, . . . I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). Again Paul stated, "The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Rom. 6:23). Jesus said, "He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life" (John 5:24).

     Imparting power. Paul prayed that the Ephesian Christians would understand "what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead" (Eph. 1:19, 20). If Christians understood and applied the resurrection and ascension of Christ, it would radically change much of the work done for God by them. Christians need not be defeated. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead works not only to save us but to assist us in our Christian life and service.

     Manifesting justification. The Christian is justified by the substitution of Jesus Christ for sinners on Calvary. Some Christians have mistakenly thought they were justified by the resurrection. They base their view on the verse that reads in the King James, "Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom. 4:25). The verse should be translated "raised because of our justification" (Rom. 4:25). We are "justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Rom. 3:24). The substitution of Christ on Calvary was all that was needed for our justification, but that act was not accomplished in our life until we personally put our faith in Christ as Savior. This accomplishment of Calvary wins God's approval for us; the resurrection of Christ announces it to the world.

     Providing our future resurrection. A major concern among Corinthian Christians was a misunderstanding of the resurrection. Some Christians did not realize that the resurrection also applied to them as Christians (1 Cor. 15:12). The Bible teaches that all the dead will someday be raised, the save and the unsaved (Dan. 12:2). The fact that Jesus rose from the dead guarantees our glorious future resurrection from the dead, and the resurrection of those who have already died in Christ. "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept" (1 Cor. 15:20). Paul used this truth to comfort troubled Christians (1 Thess. 4:13-18). “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them a also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him" (1 Thess. 4:14).

     Union with Christ. At the resurrection and ascension of Christ, we received a standing in the heavenlies. This is due' to the union that a Christian has with Christ. It is best seen in Jesus' illustration of the vine and branches. When you look at a vine as it climbs toward the sun, it is hard to tell where the' vine ends and the branches begin. So it is with the Christian. As we live for Christ, it should be evident to an observer that he is accomplishing the will of God through us. Christ will indwell us (Gal. 2:20) to do the will of God. But also, we can do the will of God when we recognize our union with the resurrected Christ in the heavenlies.

     Of course, there may exist some difference between our standing and state. We possess the life of Christ but we do not always allow Christ to live through us. The effective Christian life is a continual progress toward becoming more Christlike here on earth. The moment we are saved, we receive his perfection in heaven. But our life on earth is filled with striving to overcome temptation and to serve him faithfully. Like the apostle Paul, we realize we have not arrived spiritually but we are constantly pressing in the right direction (Phil. 3:11-14).

CONCLUSION

     The thing that makes Christianity unique from other religions is the resurrection of Christ. The uniqueness is further identified with the reality of Christ living his resurrection life in the believer. The amazing truth is that the One who died now lives. And for the Christian to live with Christ, he must be yielded to God and allow Christ to live his life through him.

DAILY READINGS

     Monday: Matthew 28:1-20

     Tuesday: Mark 16:1-18

     Wednesday: Luke 24:1-26

     Thursday: Luke 24:27-53

     Friday: John 20:27-53

     Saturday: 1 Corinthians 15:1-34