The Resurrection- How Does It Authenticate God’s Truth?
WWhy is the resurrection such a defining part of the Christian faith? Shane shows how the resurrection of Christ authenticates God’s truth.
The Resurrection Authenticates Christianity
In the New Testament, in the Book of Acts, we read:
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.
Acts 17:30,31
The resurrection is the authenticating mark of Christianity. It is the official stamp of authority that seals everything Jesus Christ ever claimed. Without it, the Lord Jesus takes his place beside the other “wise” teachers of the world who have come and gone. Without it, the Lord Jesus Christ becomes merely “Jesus of Nazareth.”
The Rod That Budded
In the Old Testament, in the days of Moses, there was a challenge to Moses and Aaron’s leadership. The sons of Korah complained that Moses and Aaron were not the only approved leaders of Israel.
They wanted recognition as well. To settle the matter, the LORD devised a plan: let all the tribes bring a rod to the Tabernacle representing their tribe;
“And it shall be that the rod of the man whom I choose will blossom; thus I will rid Myself of the complaints of the children of Israel, which they make against you.”
Then what happened? Aaron’s rod, a dead stick of wood, instantly burst into full bloom putting forth buds, showing blossoms, and yielding up ripe almonds. The contest was over. God had placed His mark on Aaron’s leadership with a “resurrection from the dead,” the dead rod lived again.
What was the meaning of this great miracle if not to show us how resurrection authenticates God’s truth, and puts a mark of authority on God’s chosen leader? The resurrection of Christ has the same effect as Aaron’s rod that budded.
The Lord’s Resurrection Previews Ours
The resurrection is the foundation of the coming judgment. Because of the resurrection, all judgment has been committed to the Son. The Father judges no one. Jesus spoke of this to His disciples. He said,
“the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice, and come forth – those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation” .
John 5:28,29
To Do Good
To do “good,” in this context, is to believe on the Son; to do “evil,” is to reject Him. In the day of judgment some will be like wheat gathered into His barn. Others will be like the chaff which is blown away and burned. The Lord’s resurrection is the precursor to our resurrection. Since He was raised, we will be raised. Those who believe will be raised to glory; those who reject Him, to everlasting shame.
The Old Testament tells the same truth. In the book of Daniel it is written
and many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt
Dan.12:2
Reminders Of The Resurrection Are All Around Us
Even the seasons tell the story of resurrection. Spring speaks of the resurrection. Our Lord has designed it that way in order to give us an annual reminder of an eternal reality. After a long winter, the flowers push up through the earth and come back to life. The snow, on the other hand, melts away.
The Lord has given us other object lessons to remind us of His coming as well. It is a well attested fact that Halley’s Comet appears once every 75 to 76 years. The last time this comet appeared was in 1986. The next time will be in 2061. Some of us may even be alive to see it.
The Resurrection Is His Assurance The He Will Come Again
The same rings true with the Lord Jesus. The last time He appeared was 2000 years ago. The first time He appeared He was treated like an imposter in order to deal with our sin, but not so the second time. The writer to the Hebrews said,
“To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation”
Heb.9:28
Some of us may even still be alive to see it!
The Lord has appointed a day when He will rise up and judge the earth. No one knows the day or hour. But He has given full assurance of that day by raising Jesus from the dead.
It reminds me of the famous old hymn, “It May Be at Morn.”
It May Be At Morn
It may be at morn, when the day is awaking, When sunlight through darkness and shadow is breaking, That Jesus will come in the fullness of glory. To receive from the world “His own.”
Refrain: O Lord Jesus, how long, how long Ere we shout the glad song—Christ returneth! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen. Hallelujah! Amen.
It may be at midday, it may be at twilight, It may be, perchance, that the blackness of midnight Will burst into light in the blaze of His glory, When Jesus receives “His own.”
While hosts cry Hosanna, from heaven descending, With glorified saints and the angels attending, With grace on His brow, like a halo of glory, Will Jesus receive “His own.”
Oh, joy! oh, delight! should we go without dying, No sickness, no sadness, no dread and no crying; Caught up through the clouds with our Lord into glory, When Jesus receives “His own.”
Hymnwriter: H. L. Turner
How long do you think we may have to wait for the Lord’s return? We would love to hear from you. Comment below or contact us at HopeStreamRadio.
Shane Johnson
Shane Johnson has been commended from Bethel-Park Bible Chapel since 1999. He resides in Brantford, Ontario with his wife Shelly and his five children.
He has his Bachelor of Arts degree in English and a minor in History. His passions are teaching children, inspiring young people, writing, music and playing soccer.
Shane is a regular contributor to our Christian internet radio station, HopeStreamRadio through his program entitled “Christ Up Close.” He has also produced “Raising Fathers,” and “Proverbs-Wisdom for Fools.”
You can find his producer’s page at: https://www.hopestreamradio.com/producers/shane-johnson/
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